Consistory Court, Original Wills

Contains a small series of original wills proved in the Consistory Court.

A will is a written document by which a person declares his or her intent for the disposition of property and rights after his or her death, normally signed and witnessed.

Original wills are those wills with the original signature of the testator which, having been presented in court for probate (the process of legally establishing the validity of a will) and having been inscribed with the probate act, were then filed. An official transcript copy of the will and act was also entered by the Registrar in the register of wills when probate was granted.

Wills are a valuable source particularly 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 signed, witnessed additions or extra instructions to a will 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 are arranged in chronological order.