The speaker for this month’s meeting was Dr David Wright who gave us a talk on Probate Records.
David began by explaining the importance of these records to our family research, suggesting that they are possibly the most important records of all, giving a window into the family relationships; the nature of these relationships and what had been important to the deceased, along with numerous other valuable pointers. Information was given on the material that can be found on-line and where to find it, the difference between probate and grant of administration and intestacy, and the sometimes lengthy period of time that can elapse in resolving an estate. Amongst the tips given to us was not to assume that because an ancestor was from a humble background there would be no will to find, some 15% of wills were made by labourers.
Having taken us through a detailed look at the subject, the talk ended with some amusing quotes taken from some old wills. These illustrated well the point made at the outset of how a will can give us an insight into the character of the deceased, and those who had made an impression (good or bad) on their lives.