National Archives of Ireland

The National Archives of Ireland has made a substantial addition to their genealogical collection with the release of a new database called Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1858-1920. Basically, the database contains an index of wills and associated letters of administration in Ireland.

The database can be searched by county, the name of the deceased person, the names of executors and the names of beneficiaries. The index varies somewhat depending on the year of the record. A typical entry lists the name, address and occupation of the deceased, along with the date of death, the date and place of probate, the names and addresses of the executors, beneficiaries of the will (and their relationship to the deceased) and the financial size of the estate. Access is free.

The will of David Mulholland

This is the handwritten will of my great-grandfather David Mulholland, found on the Public Records Office of Victoria website.  This fascinating document not only gives the names of David's wife and surviving children, it gives the married surnames of his daughters, plus an insight into the family dynamics.  David's wife Eliza can live in the house for her lifetime (and can do as she likes with the furniture upon her death) and the two sons who have worked the land with their father share the land and stock and pay their mother 5 shillings a week to live on.  The son who has his own business receives 50 pounds cash, the unmarried daughter living at home 20 pounds - and spends the rest of her life living on her brothers' charity.  Of the 3 married daughters my grandmother Pricilla (Mrs Clark) is clearly the favourite - she receives 10 pounds from her father while her two other married sisters get a shilling each!

Northern Ireland Wills

The Public Records Office of Northern Ireland now provides abstracts of wills from the District Probate Registers for Armagh, Belfast and Londonderry from 1858-1919 and 1922-1943.  Go to www.proni.gov.uk/index/search_the_archives/will_calendars.htm to search.  The site hopes to expand the areas and dates covered in the future.

Victorian Wills Online

The Victorian Wills Online is an index to Wills, Probate and Administration Records 1841-1925

You can search this list for names of people whose estates underwent the probate process in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Go to http://www.prov.vic.gov.au/indexes/index_search.asp?searchid=54

Australian Wills

A new site I have been exploring this week tells how to find Australian wills, listing information state by state, and provides links to any sites where indexes or wills can be searched.  Coverage varies for each State and Territory, but relevant addresses for ordering wills are all provided.  Visit http://www.jaunay.com/wills.html to have a look.

Welsh Wills Online

I have discovered a new site - Welsh Wills Online www.llgc.org.uk/index.php?id=487  The National Library of Wales has digital images of pre 1858 wills online.