Genealogy Chat

Anyone know how long it normally takes to get a copy will from the Probate Registry in York? I sent off for one over a fortnight ago with the appropriate cheque for £5.00 and I have still not had a reply. I know that there definitely was one - it was for my grandfather who died in August 1941. Previously I used a researcher and I had a reply back in a few days. The researcher was more expensive but I had a much more efficient service. Jean in Somerset

They told me 6 weeks when I rang them last year, but I crept a lot and said it was needed urgently for part of the church fundraising do (it was of the village squire in 1830 - but wasnt on docs online to download) and it arrived after nearly 3 weeks.

Thanks Heather for that information. If I had known it would take that long I think I would have used the researcher again. Anyway I guess I will just have to be patient. Jean

Why not give them a ring to say you wondered if it had been lost or anything. Suppose the WDYTYA isnt helping on the Wills front either.

Good thinking Heather - I might just do that - I know that they have cashed the cheque!! Certainly WDYTYA has slowed up the certificate returns so it might have effected the wills as well. Jean

Has anyone been up to First Registry House? I used to go to Somerset House and look through the will indexes on the open shelves. Is it the same system now that they have moved to Holburn? Janice

Can anyone tell me where else I would find Will Indexes that I can look through? No way can I get to London. Somewhere around South Cheshire/North Staffordshire would be nice! Tina

Tina, depends on dates, some LROs have indexes post-1858 pre 1858 the system was different... depends on where the will was proved, I don't think there is a full index of everything. So they are all over the place! you might also be lucky with this - http://www.cheshire.gov.uk/recordoffice/wills/ Durham Uni has an on-line index for Northumberland & Durham pre 1858

My local Records Office in Taunton has the register on microfiche between 1858-1943, so I expect most record offices keep copies. The probate registry in York takes forever. Five weeks last time.

Hi Janice The last time I went to First Avenue House, about a year or so ago, the volumes were on open access on shelves (though the more recent indexes are I think on microfilm and I believe that the VERY recent wills are on computer. The ordering system is incredibly old fashioned and the wills are not held on site. The price is considerably higher than the days of Somerset House, but if you are prepared to wait, you can see a copy within an hour. (Postal service is considerably slower!) HOWEVER, I have heard a rumour that the indexes will be available online some time this year. My fingers are firmly crossed on this, and I hope that the details are as full as the original indexes, though I doubt it.

HOT NEWS! I just sent to York for a will and it came in THREE DAYS! It was so quick I didn't know what the envelope was until I opened it! Anne

well Anne, I think they must work on the LIFO principle - yours was on top of the IN tray so they did it first LOL my last one took 8 weeks - got it 2 weeks ago.