Original wills and letters of administration

This series contains original wills and letters of administration. The documents are arranged in bundles alphabetically, month by month, within each year.

These were the documents from which the will register transcripts were compiled DL/C/354-417. In the case of wills they contain the original signature of the testator and were submitted to the court for probate the process of legally establishing the validity of a will and then filed.

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. Letters of administration with the will annexed could be granted in cases where the executors named in the will had died or refused to act.

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.

These records have been arranged chronologically.

<p>It is advisable also to consult the 'divorce exhibita' which erroneously contain some wills and administrations DL/C/545-578</p>

Some of these records have been microfilmed. Please use microfilm where available.