Soldiers' wills, Available on fiche? Options

[John Hartley]

I've been at a family history "do" this morning.

On one of the resource stalls, chap had an index to military wills which he had transcribed from a microfiche at a local library. He told me the actual wills are also similarly available and, therefore, it's possible to see who a man lef this estate to (and, of course, their addresses).

I couldnt get chance to quiz him more about what the set of documents are officially called. Anyone come across these before? Sounds like a useful resource.

John

[4thGordons]

I've been at a family history "do" this morning.

On one of the resource stalls, chap had an index to military wills which he had transcribed from a microfiche at a local library. He told me the actual wills are also similarly available and, therefore, it's possible to see who a man lef this estate to (and, of course, their addresses).

I couldnt get chance to quiz him more about what the set of documents are officially called. Anyone come across these before? Sounds like a useful resource.

John

The Scottish National Archive holds the soldiers' wills for scottish soldiers. You can search them online but have to go to the archive itself to view them. I have not done this but I have used the index to extract a list of 1/4thBattalion men who left wills.
Thant's the closest I have come to what you mention.

Chris

[skipman]

You can request them. I emailed them the information required . A week later had will £10.
3 Large size pages of information Most of which I had but nice to have. Aso large image of will in man's own handwriting.
Nice to have. Worth the money? Have to say yes.
Wouldn't like to do it for each soldier on memorial. £700.
Can post images of what you get if wanted.

Mike

[John Hartley]

Wharever these are, they certainly include English deaths - I spotted a soldier I know well in the index booklet.

John

[annswabey]

Perhaps the National Probate Index? Soldiers are included. It's available on microfiche at Kew and possibly your local Archives and perhaps Probate Office. You can get the basic info from the index - name, when and where died, executors, amount of effects, date and place of probate. To order a copy of actual will costs £5

[John Hartley]

Perhaps the National Probate Index?

I emailed a "family history" friend. She thinks it must be this as well.

Bloke has obviously gone to a lot of trouble to go through it and extract the details of all the military entries (presumably using the "where died" info).

John