Wills Index

Using the Wills Index

You can search this index of over 38,000 entries to see what Archdeaconry of Berkshire wills, administrations and inventories we have for the period 1480 to 1857.

Let's explain the difference between these records.

Wills: this is the most common record in which an individual sets out their intentions as to what should happen to their possessions after death and to appoint executors.

Administrations (admons): If a person died without making a will (intestate), the court had to appoint people to administer the estate and issued letters of administration. The appointed persons would then enter an administration bond to carry out various tasks. However, they do not reveal anything about actual possessions unless an inventory is included.

Inventories: This was made as a true record of the extent and value of the deceased’s estate and often included debts as well as possessions.

It's also worth noting that sometimes, all that survives is a registered copy of a probate record, which is a hand written version in a bound volume.

How to use the wills index:

The index is listed by surname, but also provides details of place name and occupation as well the document reference of the record and what microfilm/fiche (MF) copies we have.

To use the Name Search simply enter the name as surname, first name. For example: Blackmore, Dennis.

You can also search by surname only or first name only.

For place names or occupations please use the Keyword Search.

If you would like to look at or order copies of any of the records listed, please Contact Us.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Name Place Name Occupation Year BRO Ref MF Copy
JUSTICE (ALIAS LEAVER), MarySutton Courtenay1725D/A1/199/191MF96058
JUSTICE, AnneFrilford, Marcham 1722D/A1/87/113MF531
JUSTICE, EleanorCholsey1703D/A1/87/82MF531
JUSTICE, FrancisAppleford, Sutton CourtenayYeoman1672D/A1/87/33MF531
JUSTICE, FrancisBradfieldYeoman1712D/A1/199/178MF96058
JUSTICE, FrancisSutton Courtenay1782D/A1/199/228MF96058
JUSTICE, JamesHampstead Norreys1647D/A1/86/192MF531
JUSTICE, JamesFrilshamYeoman1724D/A1/87/116MF531
JUSTICE, JamesYattendonYeoman1781D/A1/88/151MF531
JUSTICE, JohnPurleyYeoman1605D/A1/86/101 D/A1/14/059MF530 MF10064
JUSTICE, JohnWest Shefford1609D/A1/86/110 D/A1/14/534MF530 MF10064
JUSTICE, JohnPangbourneYeoman1667D/A1/199/127MF96057
JUSTICE, JohnTilehurstHusbandman1769D/A1/88/137MF531
JUSTICE, MargaretAldermaston1617D/A1/86/125 D/A1/15/688MF530 MF10065
JUSTICE, MargaretSutton Courtenay1710D/A1/87/92MF531
JUSTICE, MargaretSutton Courtenay1710D/A1/87/92MF531
JUSTICE, MaryNewburyBlacksmith1798D/A1/88/163MF531
JUSTICE, MatthewPurleyYeoman1669D/A1/87/25MF531
JUSTICE, MatthewBradfield1775D/A1/199/225MF96058
JUSTICE, RichardSutton CourtenayYeoman1610D/A1/86/112 D/A1/15/093MF530 MF10065
JUSTICE, RichardAppleford, Sutton CourtenayYeoman1725D/A1/87/123MF531
JUSTICE, SarahTilehurst1800D/A1/88/166MF531
JUSTICE, ThomasSutton Courtenay1559D/A1/199/014MF96056
JUSTICE, ThomasSutton Courtenay1676D/A1/87/41MF531
JUSTICE, ThomasNewburyBlacksmith1746D/A1/199/215MF96058
JUSTICE, WilliamReading St LaurencePainter, Glazier 1809D/A1/155/2MF580
JUSTYCE, John JnrPurleyHusbandman1600D/A1/86/088 D/A1/13/529MF530 MF10049