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
BELCHER, RobertEast Hanney, HanneyYeoman1631D/A1/44/018MF464
BELCHER, RobertDenchworthYeoman1666D/A1/46/23MF466
BELCHER, RobertPuseyYeoman1683D/A1/179/21MF96016
BELCHER, RobertEast Hanney, West HanneyYeoman1696D/A1/48/45MF467
BELCHER, RobertWest HanneyHusbandman1791D/A1/50/234MF21170
BELCHER, Robert SnrEast Hanney, West HanneyYeoman1680D/A1/47/52MF466
BELCHER, ThomasLyford, HanneyHusbandman1625D/A1/43/115MF464
BELCHER, ThomasWest Hanney, HanneyYeoman1643D/A1/178/009MF96015
BELCHER, WilliamFyfield1778D/A1/180/240MF96020
BELCHER, WilliamFyfield1785D/A1/180/243MF96020
BELCHER, WilliamFyfield1794D/A1/180/262MF96020
BELCHER, WilliamBuckleburyLabourer1827D/A1/226/71MF96123
BELCHER, WilliamDenchworthYeoman1827D/A1/145/130MF557
BELCHER, WilliamFyfieldYeoman1844D/A1/146/71MF557
BELCHER, WilliamFyfieldFarmer1854D/A1/147/44MF558
BELCHER, WilliamSteventonYeoman1854D/A1/147/38MF558
BELCHER, WilliamDenchworthHusbandman1631D/A1/44/015MF464
BELCHER, WilliamDenchworthTailor1686D/A1/47/114MF466
BELCHER, WilliamKintburyYeoman1707D/A1/48/140MF467
BELCHER, WilliamDenchworthYeoman1734D/A1/49/177MF468
BELCHER, WilliamReadingInnholder1748D/A1/50/18MF469
BELCHER, WilliamDraytonYeoman1768D/A1/180/221MF96020
BELCHER, WilliamFyfield1777D/A1/180/237MF96020
BELCHER, William DoeAbingdonAuctioneer1857D/A1/147/57MF558
BELCHER, William SnrDenchworthYeoman1663D/A1/45/119MF465
BELDAM, JohnBinfieldBlacksmith1694D/A1/179/106MF96017
BELL, EdmundAbingdonVictualler1682D/A1/179/14MF96016
BELL, ElizabethAbingdon1627D/A1/16/308MF10066
BELL, FrancisWoolstone, UffingtonLabourer1765D/A1/50/108MF469
BELL, JohnAbingdonPainter1627D/A1/177/001MF96013
BELL, JohnUniversity, Oxford, OxfordshireBeadle1636D/A1/16/429MF10066
BELL, JosephSouth MoretonHusbandman1719D/A1/180/47MF96019
BELL, Nicholas1591D/A1/175/125MF96010
BELL, RichardReading St Laurence1558D/A1/39/106 D/A1/7/191MF461 MF10040
BELL, WilliamLongcot, Shrivenham1544D/A1/6/169MF10043B
BELLAMY, JoyceEast Hendred1651D/A1/45/051MF465
BELLCHER, BridgetDenchworth1636D/A1/44/087MF464
BELLCHER, MaryElcot, Kintbury1663D/A1/45/122MF465
BELLCHER, WilliamDenchworthHusbandman1615D/A1/42/143 D/A1/15/556MF463 MF10065
BELLENGER, JohnChiltonHusbandman1628D/A1/43/168MF464
BELLENGER, JohnHampstead NorrisHusbandman1710D/A1/179/198MF96018
BELLINGER, DevereuxAppleford, Sutton CourtenayClerk1689D/A1/179/77MF96017
BELLINGER, ThomasAbingdon St HelenBlacksmith1741D/A1/49/238MF468
BELLINGRE, EdwardAston TirroldClerk1676D/A1/178/166MF96015
BELLYNGEHAM, MaudeAbingdon1542D/A1/2/052MF603
BELTCHER, CuthbertWest HanneyHusbandman1674D/A1/178/150MF96015
BELTCHER, WilliamAbingdon St HelenBlacksmith1690D/A1/179/72 MF96017
BELZAR, MaudeHanney1566D/A1/39/221 D/A1/9/026MF462 MF10046
BELZAR, RichardHanney1558D/A1/39/130 D/A1/7/315MF461 MF10040
BEMAN, ThomasChieveleyInnholder1830D/A1/145/142MF557
BENAM, ThomasReadingWeaver1588D/A1/40/167 D/A1/11/180MF462 MF10047B
BENAT, John1571D/A1/167/149MF96000
BENAT, John1571D/A1/167/146MF96000
BENATT, RogerNewburyFuller1546D/A1/39/032 D/A1/5/039MF461 MF10043A
BENBROCK, JohnBrimptonTurner1687D/A1/108/48MF577
BENDALL, ElizabethReading St Mary1795D/A1/51/1MF469
BENED, AnesCumnor1545D/A1/3/018MF604
BENEFEILD, WilliamReadingFelt Maker1678D/A1/47/28MF466
BENEHAM, JohnEnglefieldHusbandman1552D/A1/5/161MF10043A
BENEHAM, JohnEnglefield1552D/A1/4/037MF605
BENET , AliceLetcombe Bassett1557D/A1/4/026MF604
BENET , ThomasCholsey1531D/A1/1/165MF10042
BENET , William SnrCholsey1508D/A1/1/016MF10041
BENET, AliceHolyport, Bray1576D/A1/40/055 D/A1/10/050MF462 MF10047A
BENET, JoanBucklebury1574D/A1/40/044 D/A1/9/430MF462 MF10046
BENET, JoanLetcombe Bassett1604D/A1/41/184 D/A1/13/1316MF463 MF10049
BENET, JohnLetcombe BassettHusbandman1553D/A1/39/059 D/A1/5/209MF461 MF10043A
BENET, JosiahAbingdonClerk1753D/A1/50/46MF469
BENET, KatherineOld Windsor1689D/A1/47/144MF467
BENET, RichardWhitley, Reading St GilesYeoman1590D/A1/41/009 D/A1/11/339MF462 MF10047B
BENET, ThomasWest SheffordHusbandman1583D/A1/40/110 D/A1/10/363MF462 MF10047A
BENET, WilliamLetcombe BassettHusbandman1632D/A1/44/041MF464
BENETE, JohnHolyport, Bray1560D/A1/39/168 D/A1/6/063MF461 MF10043B
BENETT, EdwardWhitley, Reading St Giles1558D/A1/7/196MF10040
BENETT, EdwardNewburyHaberdasher1605D/A1/41/205 D/A1/14/105MF463 MF10064
BENETT, HenryStanford In The Vale1635D/A1/177/050MF96013
BENETT, JohnNewbury1546D/A1/6/182MF10043B
BENETT, JohnNewburyWeaver1550D/A1/4/023MF604
BENETT, JohnReadingBroad Weaver1643D/A1/44/170MF465
BENETT, RobertNew Windsor, Windsor1546D/A1/175/013MF96010
BENETT, WilliamThatchamCooper1676D/A1/47/8MF466
BENEWELLE, WilliamTidmarsh1598D/A1/175/158MF96010
BENFIELD, JohnThatchamWeaver1635D/A1/177/054MF96013
BENGE, NicholasWeaver1558D/A1/175/029 D/A1/167/102MF96010 MF96000
BENGE, ThomasWinkfieldYeoman1740D/A1/49/220MF468
BENGER, ArthurLongcot, Shrivenham1580D/A1/40/097 D/A1/10/269MF462 MF10047A
BENGER, HarryLongcot, ShrivenhamYeoman1597D/A1/41/073 D/A1/13/069MF462 MF10049
BENGER, JohnFernham, Shrivenham1603D/A1/175/174 D/A1/13/1016MF96011 MF10049
BENGER, ThomasLongcot, ShrivenhamHusbandman1589D/A1/40/174 D/A1/11/194MF462 MF10047B
BENHAM, AnnGreenham, Thatcham 1733D/A1/180/131MF96020
BENHAM, ElizabethSouth Moreton1629D/A1/177/014MF96013
BENHAM, GeorgeSouth MoretonHusbandman1600D/A1/41/144 D/A1/13/607MF463 MF10049
BENHAM, GeorgeSouth MoretonJoiner1700D/A1/48/74MF467
BENHAM, JohnWest WoodhayYeoman1731D/A1/180/120MF96020
BENHAM, JonathanShinfield1705D/A1/179/163MF96017
BENHAM, MargaretSouth Moreton1671D/A1/46/71MF466
BENHAM, ThomasPeasemoreCarpenter1838D/A1/146/40MF557
BENHAUM, JohnBrimpton1570D/A1/39/250 D/A1/9/194MF462 MF10046
BENNAT, EdwardWhitley1557D/A1/39/134MF461
BENNAT, RichardBrayMason1602D/A1/41/171 D/A1/13/824MF463 MF10049