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
RIDER, AnthonyLambournYeoman1752D/A1/211/151MF96091
RIDER, EdwardReadingTobacco Pipe Maker1742D/A1/114/7MF537
RIDER, ElizabethLambourn1757D/A1/114/32MF537
RIDER, OliffeLambourn1709D/A1/113/125MF537
RIDER, WilliamMaidenheadHusbandman1730D/A1/113/175MF537
RIDGE, JohnReading1571D/A1/210/185MF96088
RIDGE, JohnReading1571D/A1/167/146MF96000
RIDGE, RobertDraycott Moor, London (Deed Of Gift), Longworth  (Admon.), London1674D/A1/113/33MF536
RIDGE, ThomasLongworth1777D/A1/114/61MF537
RIDLER, RichardHamstead MarshallClerk1637D/A1/112/106 D/A1/169/078MF536 MF96002
RIDLEY, JohnShrivenham 1672D/A1/113/42MF536
RIDLEY, RichardHamstead MarshallClerk, Rector1636D/A1/112/104MF536
RIDWAY, 1558D/A1/210/157MF96088
RIDWAYE, Thomas SnrFinchampsteadClerk1642D/A1/112/132MF536
RIEHARDES, JohnBurghfieldCarpenter1690D/A1/211/87MF96091
RIGBY, JohnAston TirroldHusbandman1603D/A1/210/220 D/A1/13/1021MF96088 MF10049
RIGBY, JohnAston TirroldYeoman1712D/A1/113/128MF537
RIGBY, ThomasAston Tirrold1563D/A1/167/035MF96000
RIGBY, ThomasAston Tirrold1680D/A1/113/62MF536
RIGBY, WilliamNewburyDyer1595D/A1/111/108 D/A1/12/298MF535 MF10048
RIGGE, JohnBrimpton1569D/A1/111/027 D/A1/9/175MF535 MF10046
RIGGE, JohnBrimpton1582D/A1/111/063 D/A1/10/337MF535 MF10047A
RIGGENS, RichardSouth Hinksey, CumnorYeoman1623D/A1/210/254MF96089
RIGGES, HumphreyGrazeley, Sulhamstead AbbotsLabourer1636D/A1/112/100MF536
RIGGES, John1558D/A1/210/158MF96088
RIGGES, Richard SnrBrimptonFuller1608D/A1/111/160 D/A1/14/465MF536 MF10064
RIGGES, SimonBrimpton1609D/A1/111/163 D/A1/14/525MF536 MF10064
RIGGINES, RichardMarchamHusbandman1597D/A1/111/111 D/A1/13/036MF535 MF10049
RIGGINES, ThomasMarchamHusbandman1585D/A1/111/074 D/A1/11/041MF535 MF10047B
RIGGINS, EdmundMarchamYeoman1648D/A1/112/140MF536
RIGGINS, EdmundMarchamYeoman1719D/A1/113/147MF537
RIGGINS, Edmund SnrMarchamYeoman1690D/A1/211/83MF96091
RIGGINS, FrancesWallingford1726D/A1/113/161MF537
RIGGINS, JohnMarcham1558D/A1/210/161MF96088
RIGGINS, JohnMarcham1558D/A1/167/103MF96000
RIGGINS, MargeryMarcham1599D/A1/111/125 D/A1/13/488MF536 MF10049
RIGGINS, MaryMarcham1693D/A1/113/91MF31702
RIGGINS, RichardCumnorHusbandman1727D/A1/113/166MF537
RIGGINS, ThomasMarcham1768D/A1/211/160MF96091
RIGGINS, ThomasMarcham1826D/A1/231/13MF96129
RIGGINS, WilliamMarchamYeoman1602D/A1/111/130 D/A1/13/816MF536 MF10049
RIGGINS, WilliamMarchamWeaver1714D/A1/211/118MF96091
RIGGLESWORTH, BartholomewNew Windsor, Windsor1607D/A1/221/013MF96112
RIGGS, FrancisBasildon1679D/A1/113/56MF536
RIGGS, ThomasEast HendredHusbandman1667D/A1/211/48MF96090
RIGHT, ThomasCrookham, Thatcham1696D/A1/139/30MF554
RIGHT, ThomasNewburyWeaver1701D/A1/223/147MF96118
RIGS, EdithBrimpton1609D/A1/111/162 D/A1/14/524MF536 MF10064
RIKETTS, RichardWallingfordCordwainer1781D/A1/114/66MF537
RIME, JohnWest Hanney, HanneyHusbandman1636D/A1/112/101MF536
RIMES, JohnMarchamYeoman1816D/A1/161/13MF583
RIMES, MaryMarcham1785D/A1/114/72MF537
RIMES, WilliamMarchamYeoman1771D/A1/114/54MF537
RIMES, WilliamAbingdon St Helen1837D/A1/161/39MF583
RING, PeterCumnor1561D/A1/210/169MF96088
RING, PeterCumnor1561D/A1/167/117MF96000
RING, ThomasMaidenhead1636D/A1/169/078MF96002
RING, WilliamMaidenheadMercer1640D/A1/211/016MF96090
RING, WilliamMaidenhead1640D/A1/169/078MF96002
RING, WilliamNewburyGrocer1785D/A1/114/74MF537
RINGE, BartholomewWallingfordMiller1646D/A1/211/026 D/A1/169/078MF96090 MF96002
RINGE, JohnCumnorYeoman1616D/A1/210/241MF96089
RINGE, JohnCumnor1616D/A1/168/126MF96001
RINGE, RobertFarmoor, CumnorYeoman1606D/A1/111/148MF536
RINGE, ThomasMaidenhead, CookhamMercer1636D/A1/112/099MF536
RINOLDES, JohnKingston Lisle, SparsholtHusbandman1582D/A1/111/064MF535
RIPPINTON, AliceUffington1688D/A1/113/78MF536
RITHER, JohnFinchampsteadTurner1644D/A1/112/137MF536
RITHER, John SnrFinchampsteadTurner1634D/A1/112/094MF536
RITHER, RichardSwallowfieldClothier1599D/A1/210/215 D/A1/13/430MF96088 MF10049
RITHER, RichardFinchampsteadTurner1614D/A1/112/008 D/A1/15/461MF536 MF10065
RITHER, RichardFinchampsteadYeoman1669D/A1/113/26MF536
RITHER, WilliamFinchampsteadTurner1589D/A1/111/085 D/A1/11/211MF535 MF10047B
RIVE, EdithKintbury1562D/A1/2/022 D/A1/233/011MF603 MF96132
RIVER , WilliamColeshillHusbandman1597D/A1/111/115 D/A1/13/125MF535 MF10049
RIVER, RalphBuscotHusbandman1610D/A1/111/168 D/A1/15/014MF536 MF10065
RIVERS , William SnrHagbourneYeoman1712D/A1/113/130MF537
RIVERS, AnnReading1666D/A1/113/19MF536
RIVERS, EdithBuscot1628D/A1/112/069MF536
RIVERS, ElizabethAbingdon 1622D/A1/112/046MF536
RIVERS, ElizabethGreenham, Thatcham 1857D/A1/161/72MF583
RIVERS, GeorgeBucklandGlover1715D/A1/113/144MF537
RIVERS, JohnReading St LaurenceWeaver1597D/A1/111/112 D/A1/13/111MF535 MF10049
RIVERS, JohnThatchamVictualler1857D/A1/161/73MF583
RIVERS, MargeryColeshill1637D/A1/112/110MF536
RIVERS, ThomasSpeenhamland, Speen1567D/A1/210/179 D/A1/167/136MF96088 MF96000
RIVERS, ThomasHampstead NorreysWheelwright1800D/A1/114/83MF537
RIVERS, WilliamHatfordYeoman1669D/A1/113/27MF536
RIVERS, WilliamHagbourneYeoman1724D/A1/113/157MF537
RIVERS, WilliamSutton CourtenayGardener1751D/A1/211/150MF96091
RIVES, JohnNewburyParish Clerk1619D/A1/112/032 D/A1/15/882MF536 MF10065
RIXEMAN, JohnMaidenhead1620D/A1/16/008MF10066
RIXON, JamesBradfieldYeoman1739D/A1/113/189MF537
RIXON, JohnBuckleburyLabourer1729D/A1/113/172MF537
RIXON, MosesSunningwellServant1843D/A1/231/22MF96129
RIXON, ThomasFaringdonFarmer1837D/A1/161/38MF583
ROACH, WilliamLetcombe RegisCarpenter1782D/A1/114/67MF537
ROACH, WilliamLetcombe Regis1809D/A1/231/6MF96129
ROAD, JohnWarfieldHusbandman1730D/A1/113/174MF537
ROAD, RichardChaddleworth1778D/A1/211/165MF96091