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.

Name Search

Keyword Search

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
ARNOLD, EdwardStanford In The ValeCollar Maker1831D/A1/144/40MF557
ARNOLD, GabrielSpeenhamland, Speen Collar Maker1774D/A1/38/176MF461
ARNOLD, GuyWest Shefford1662D/A1/37/21MF460
ARNOLD, HenryStanford In The Vale1769D/A1/174/181MF96009
ARNOLD, JamesWest SheffordHusbandman1671D/A1/174/57MF96008
ARNOLD, JamesWest SheffordBlacksmith1810D/A1/144/13MF557
ARNOLD, JoanSwallowfield1560D/A1/6/050 D/A1/35/082 D/A1/167/111MF10043B MF459 MF96000
ARNOLD, JoanLittle Wittenham1626D/A1/36/098MF459
ARNOLD, JohnNewbury1615D/A1/173/093MF96006
ARNOLD, JohnNewbury1615D/A1/168/117MF96001
ARNOLD, JohnBurghfield1618D/A1/36/067 D/A1/15/906MF459 MF10065
ARNOLD, JohnUffingtonYeoman1620D/A1/173/102MF96006
ARNOLD, JohnWinterbrook, CholseyGlover1699D/A1/37/137MF460
ARNOLD, JohnEast IlsleyVictualler1747D/A1/38/120MF461
ARNOLD, JohnThatchamTailor, Shopkeeper1837D/A1/144/47MF557
ARNOLD, JohnStanford In The ValeSaddler1853D/A1/144/77MF557
ARNOLD, KatherineHarwell1615D/A1/36/035 D/A1/15/499MF459 MF10065
ARNOLD, MargeryWinterbrook, Cholsey1713D/A1/38/36MF461
ARNOLD, MaryEast Ilsley1721D/A1/38/51MF461
ARNOLD, PaulMarchamButcher1670D/A1/174/55MF96008
ARNOLD, RalphBuscot1607D/A1/168/026MF96001
ARNOLD, RichardMiltonTailor1660D/A1/37/6MF460
ARNOLD, Richard JnrHarwell1598D/A1/35/253 D/A1/13/317MF459 MF10049
ARNOLD, RobertUpton, BlewburyYeoman1644D/A1/16/622MF10066
ARNOLD, RobertSteventonYeoman1846D/A1/144/62MF557
ARNOLD, StephenHenwick, ThatchamHusbandman1621D/A1/36/084MF459
ARNOLD, ThomasEast Hendred1607D/A1/168/020MF96001
ARNOLD, ThomasWest SheffordLabourer1774D/A1/38/177MF461
ARNOLD, TitusAbingdon St HelenLinen Weaver1643D/A1/36/182MF460
ARNOLD, WilliamHarwell1550D/A1/35/020MF459
ARNOLD, WilliamHagbourneLabourer1611D/A1/173/086MF96006
ARNOLD, WilliamHagbourne1611D/A1/168/074MF96001
ARNOLD, WilliamWest SheffordYeoman1730D/A1/38/85MF461
ARNOLD, WilliamNewburyYeoman1733D/A1/174/156MF96008
ARNOLDE, ElizabethPurley1583D/A1/35/174MF459
ARNOLDE, JoanDidcot1580D/A1/35/160 D/A1/10/211MF459 MF10047A
ARNOLDE, JohnAbingdonCooper1618D/A1/36/066 D/A1/15/818MF459 MF10065
ARNOLDE, RichardDidcot1559D/A1/7/253MF10040
ARNOLDE, RichardDidcot1560D/A1/35/085MF459
ARNOLDE, ThomasNewburyYeoman1599D/A1/35/258 D/A1/13/403MF459 MF10049
ARNOLDE, ThomasEast Hendred1607D/A1/173/077MF96006
ARNOLL, JohnHenwick, ThatchamHusbandman1558D/A1/35/055 D/A1/7/110MF459 MF10040
ARNOLL, JohnDonnington, Shaw Cum DonningtonYeoman1694D/A1/37/127MF460
ARNOLL, RichardHarwellYeoman1605D/A1/36/006 D/A1/14/081MF459 MF10064
ARNOULD, ElizabethWallingford1840D/A1/226/18MF96122
ARNOULD, SamuelAston TirroldTailor1853D/A1/144/78MF557
ARNOULD, SarahBasildonShopkeeper1841D/A1/144/57MF557
ARON, JohnSwallowfield1562D/A1/2/022 D/A1/233/012MF603 MF96132
AROWSMYTH, ThomasEasthampsteadTailor1630D/A1/36/120MF460
AROWSMYTHE, ThomasNewburyClerk1613D/A1/36/032 D/A1/15/395MF459 MF10065
ARPUTT, WilliamWantageSaddler, Harness Maker1813D/A1/144/18MF557
ARRAND, JohnSwallowfield1561D/A1/167/116MF96000
ARRELDON, WilliamMidgham, ThatchamHusbandman1617D/A1/36/052 D/A1/15/743MF459 MF10065
ARRO, JoanBoyne Hill, Bray1597D/A1/35/246 D/A1/13/110MF459 MF10049
ARROWSMITH , GladysNewbury1688D/A1/174/89MF96008
ARROWSMITH, GeorgeNewburyVictualler1808D/A1/144/9MF557
ARROWSMITH, JohnNewburyShoemaker1725D/A1/38/66MF461
ARROWSMITH, JohnNewburyMealman1833D/A1/144/41MF557
ARROWSMITH, RobertNewburyCordwainer1725D/A1/38/65MF461
ARROWSMITH, RobertNewburyClothier1737D/A1/38/101MF461
ARROWSMITH, RobertNewburyClothier1771D/A1/38/170MF461
ARROWSMITH, SarahNewbury1734D/A1/38/91MF461
ARTHER, JohnNewburyWeaver1571D/A1/35/124 D/A1/9/256MF459 MF10046
ARTHUR, AndrewPusey1617D/A1/36/051 D/A1/15/753MF459 MF10065
ARTHUR, JohnCholseyBlacksmith1714D/A1/38/37MF461
ARTOR, JohnReading St LaurenceCook1644D/A1/36/186MF460
ARUNDEL, JohnBrimptonYeoman1736D/A1/38/94MF461
ARUNDEL, RichardNewburyCordwainer1762D/A1/38/151MF461
ARUNDELL, 1633D/A1/173/125/2MF96006
ARUNDELL, ChristopherEnborneYeoman1633D/A1/173/125/1MF96006
ARUNDELL, ChristopherEnborneYeoman1633D/A1/168/245MF96001
ARUNDELL, EdmundEnborneHusbandman1586D/A1/173/045MF96006
ARUNDELL, EdmundEnborne1586D/A1/11/047MF10047B
ARUNDELL, GuyWest Shefford1662D/A1/37/21MF460
ARUNDELL, JoanBrimpton1752D/A1/38/137MF461
ARUNDELL, JohnEnborne1537D/A1/2/038MF603
ARUNDELL, JohnWest SheffordHusbandman1644D/A1/36/183MF460
ARUNDELL, JohnBrimptonYeoman1762D/A1/38/152MF461
ARUNDELL, SimonWest Shefford1616D/A1/173/091MF96006
ARUNDELL, SimonWest Shefford1616D/A1/168/127MF96001
ASE, JohnBinfield1554D/A1/35/031 D/A1/7/061MF459 MF10040
ASELOT, JohnReadingTailor1676D/A1/37/68MF460
ASHCOMB, RobertEast IlsleyLabourer1706D/A1/174/123MF96008
ASHCOMBE, JohnLyford, West Hanney1663D/A1/37/25MF460
ASHCOMBE, JohnLyford, West Hanney1731D/A1/174/151MF96008
ASHE, WilliamOld WindsorBlacksmith1617D/A1/173/097MF96006
ASHE, WilliamOld Windsor1617D/A1/168/146MF96001
ASHEREDGE, AliceShrivenham1626D/A1/36/099MF459
ASHLEY, AgnesNewbury1570D/A1/35/125 D/A1/9/191MF459 MF10046
ASHLEY, GeorgeFyfieldHusbandman1623D/A1/36/092MF459
ASHLEY, ThomasReadingClerk1567D/A1/173/022 D/A1/167/131MF96006 MF96000
ASHPOOLE, JohnEast Ilsley1580D/A1/35/164 D/A1/10/250MF459 MF10047A
ASHRIDGE, JohnShrivenhamYeoman1619D/A1/36/059 D/A1/15/913MF459 MF10065
ASHRIDGE, John JnrShrivenhamYeoman1617D/A1/36/053 D/A1/15/765MF459 MF10065
ASHUNTEN, WilliamDidcotClerk1557D/A1/6/013MF10043B
ASHWELL, JohnAbingdonYeoman1672D/A1/37/58MF460
ASKE, AnnePusey1739D/A1/38/102MF461
ASKE, ThomasPuseyYeoman1729D/A1/38/82MF461
ASLET, JohnPadworthHusbandman1683D/A1/37/97MF460
ASLETT, John SnrUfton NervetYeoman1620D/A1/36/073MF459