Wills and Probate Records: A Guide for Family Historians

Wills and related records are a valuable source of information for family historians, revealing details of ancestors’ lives, families, livelihoods and even personalities. This practical and accessible guide shows how to get the most from these seemingly complex records, including those scattered in church courts before central registration was introduced in 1858. Suitable both for those starting out and for more experienced researchers, Wills and Probate Records explores documents and institutions, legal terms and Latin phrases, as well as navigating the rapidly expanding digital resources that have transformed family history research. From wills and death duty registers to inventories and litigation, this is an invaluable guide to your ancestors’ last documents.