Required readings (two weeks worth)

Family History Library staff, England Research Outline, Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 2000. (probate section)

Herber, Mark D., Ancestral Trails, Stroud, Gloucestershire, 1997 (Ref 942D27hm) pp. 173-199

Camp, Anthony J. Wills and Their Whereabouts, London: Society of Genealogists, 1963. Ref 942 S2wa (read intro, be generally familiar)

Gardner, David and Smith, Frank, Genealogical Research in England and Wales, Vol. 2, Salt Lake City, Bookcraft, 1959, pp. 22-41; 133-143 (peruse 42-132). Ref 929.142 G172g.

Gibson, J.S.W. A Simplified Guide to Probate Jurisdictions, Solihull: Federation of Family History Societies, 1985 (3rd Edition). 942 P23g (read intro, be generally familiar)

Pratt, David H. Researching British Probates, 1354-1858, Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources, Inc., 1992. Ref 942 P23p

Rogers, Colin, Tracing Your English Ancestors, Manchester: Manchester University press, 1989 (1st USA edition). Ref 942 D27rc pp. 144-154.

Family History Library staff, Register of England and Wales Estate Duty Office Death Duty Registers Abstracts 1796-1857, Indexes 1796-1903, Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1998. Register Table. Read pp. i & ii

Family History Library staff, Register of England and Wales Principal Probate Registry, Salt Lake City: Family History Library, Sep 2001. Register Table. Read pp. 3-4

Family History Library staff, Register of Pre-1858 Prerogative Court of the ArchBishop of Canterbury Probates, Vol. 23, July 2001. Register Table.

1. a. What year did the government start registering wills?

b. Where are those wills kept?

c. Does the Family History Library have filmed copies of the wills?

2. Find the reference to the will of Robert Burr BOURNE of Worcester, who died in 1885. Find the full will. Record the reference and the call # of the will.

3. John BURNELL, Esquire, an Alderman of the city of London, left a will in 1790. It was probated in the PCC. Find his will and list all the steps taken (use back of this sheet if necessary).

4. What courts (and in what order) does the probate key suggest should be searched for probates in Linton, Kent?

5. Fill in the blanks. "Any free male over _____, unmarried female over _____, or

widow of sound mind could leave a last will and testament except

______________________________________." What is the exception to this?