Registers of wills proved and letters of administration granted

This series contains registers of wills and letters of administration. Transcript copies of the original will and act were entered by the registrar when probate the process of legally establishing the validity of a will was granted.

Letters of administration were granted to the next-of-kin when a person died without making a will intestate to enable them to disperse the deceased's estate. Transcript copies were likewise entered into registers.

Wills are a valuable source for social, cultural and religious history. They are particularly useful for family historians and the following information can be found:

Name, occupation and residence of the testator.

Indication is often made as to the health of the testator.

Instruction may be given as to where the testator wishes to be buried.

Mention of family and friends, named either as beneficiaries to the estate or as executors or trustees.

Details of property and domestic possessions.

Some wills include additions or extra instructions known as codicils made to the document in the intervening time before the death.

The date of the grant of probate following the testator's death.

The early registers contain wills approved by the Vicar General of the Bishop of Westminster, the Commissary of the Bishop of London and the Vicar General for the Bishop of London. Later volumes relate only to wills granted by the Vicar General to the Bishop of London. Each volume 1540 - 1641 is distinguished with a personal name which is the surname of the testator of the first will in that volume.

These records have been arranged chronologically.

<p>For the original wills those wills with the original signature of the testator which, having been presented in court for probate and having been inscribed with the probate act, were then filed see DL/C/418-544</p>

These records have been microfilmed. Please use microfilm where available.