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
ADKINS, JoannaBray1700D/A1/193/1MF96044
ADKINS, JohnSpeenHusbandman1640D/A1/174/017 D/A1/169/001aMF96007 MF96002
ADKINS, ThomasEast Hanney, West HanneyYeoman1663D/A1/37/29MF460
ADKINS, WilliamGarford, MarchamHusbandman1629D/A1/173/118MF96006
ADLAND, AndrewReading1636D/A1/36/145MF460
ADLAND, WilliamReading1661D/A1/37/13MF460
ADLER, George LewisNewburyCabinet Maker1852D/A1/144/74MF557
ADMANS , Giles SnrBeedonCollar Maker1762D/A1/38/153MF461
ADMANS, GilesBurghfieldHusbandman1725D/A1/174/141MF96008
ADNAM, AnneLeckhampstead, Chieveley1571D/A1/173/027 D/A1/167/147MF96006 MF96000
ADNAM, ArthurLeckhampstead, ChieveleyHusbandman1644D/A1/36/190MF460
ADNAM, HenryLeckhampstead, ChieveleyHusbandman1623D/A1/36/088MF459
ADNAM, JosephLeckhampstead, Chieveley1806D/A1/226/2MF96122
ADNAM, MaryEast Ilsley1848D/A1/144/67MF557
ADNAM, RichardEast Garston1583D/A1/35/175 D/A1/10/415MF459 MF10047A
ADNAM, RichardLeckhampstead, ChieveleyYeoman1769D/A1/38/166MF461
ADNAM, ThomasLeckhampstead, ChieveleyYeoman1699D/A1/37/139MF460
ADNAM, ThomasAldworthWarrener1709D/A1/38/26MF461
ADNAM, William JnrBrightwaltonHusbandman1627D/A1/173/114MF96006
ADNAMS, GilesChieveleyYeoman1799D/A1/38/202MF461
ADNAMS, JohnOar, ChieveleyYeoman1766D/A1/38/161MF461
ADNAMS, JohnHampstead NorreysYeoman1814D/A1/144/19MF557
ADNAMS, MaryEast Garston1794D/A1/174/198MF96009
ADNAMS, RichardChieveleyYeoman1781D/A1/38/188MF461
ADNAMS, WilliamOare, ChieveleyYeoman1761D/A1/38/150MF461
ADNUM, JohnChaddleworthHusbandman1618D/A1/36/057 D/A1/15/922MF459 MF10065
ADNUM, WilliamWest Challow, Letcombe RegisCollar Maker1689D/A1/174/93MF96008
ADSHED, MichaelAbingdon St HelenSurgeon1627D/A1/173/111/1MF96006
AFELEN, RichardOld Windsor1570D/A1/35/127 D/A1/9/197MF459 MF10046
AFFISE, William1546D/A1/35/012MF459
AFLETTE, John SnrPadworth1571D/A1/35/126MF459
AFORD, NicholasWargraveHusbandman1572D/A1/35/139 D/A1/9/335MF459 MF10046
AFORD, RichardWargraveLabourer1557D/A1/2/042 D/A1/233/017MF603 MF96132
AFORD, ThomasWargrave1559D/A1/35/072 D/A1/6/198MF459 MF10043B
AFYSE, WilliamLambourn1557D/A1/35/044 D/A1/7/148MF459 MF10040
AGREVE, AlanRemenhamCurate1550D/A1/173/003MF96006
AIDING, William SnrNewburyClothier1662D/A1/37/22MF460
AIERS, WilliamRadley1594D/A1/35/236MF459
AILARD, JohnReading St Giles1576D/A1/173/033MF96006
AILEWARD, GeorgeBarkham1603D/A1/35/270 D/A1/13/1030MF459 MF10049
AILLINGE, GeorgeThatchamSaddler1667D/A1/174/47MF96007
AILLWARDE, HenryEasthampstead1569D/A1/35/116 D/A1/9/156MF459 MF10046
AINGELL, JohnBucklebury1682D/A1/37/94MF460
AINGER, JohnHurleyYeoman1682D/A1/174/81MF96008
AINGER, ThomasHagbourneHusbandman1639D/A1/36/160MF460
AINGER, ThomasMarchamBlacksmith1760D/A1/38/146MF461
AINGER, Thomas JnrEast Hagbourne, HagbourneYeoman1683D/A1/174/83MF96008
AINSWORTH, JoshuaPangbourne1776D/A1/174/185MF96009
AIRE, ThomasWallingford1612D/A1/168/083MF96001
AIRES, EleanorReading1643D/A1/36/181MF460
AIRES, JohnHagbourneCordwainer1642D/A1/169/001bMF96002
AIRES, JohnPuseyHusbandman1664D/A1/37/33MF460
AIRES, RobertHatfordYeoman1641D/A1/36/172MF460
AIRES, WilliamRadleyYeoman1594D/A1/12/201MF10048
AISHBE, ThomasCookhamPaper Maker1691D/A1/37/120MF460
AISHFIELD, ElizabethEast Hanney, Hanney1839D/A1/144/50MF557
AISSELL, JohnCompton Beauchamp1730D/A1/174/148MF96008
AKERLY, ThomasNewburyBasket Maker1608D/A1/36/011 D/A1/14/416MF459 MF10064
AKERS, JamesKingston BagpuizeYeoman1608D/A1/36/015/1MF459
AKERS, JamesKingston Bagpuize1608D/A1/14/464MF10064
AKERS, JohnWythamLabourer1730D/A1/38/87MF461
AKERS, RichardSutton CourtenayYeoman1728D/A1/38/77MF461
ALAM, LawrenceBeenham1578D/A1/173/035MF96006
ALASON, JohnBrayLabourer1706D/A1/174/128MF96008
ALAWAY, FrancisReadingLabourer1737D/A1/38/98MF461
ALBERIE, EdwardBarkham1589D/A1/35/204 D/A1/11/187MF459 MF10047B
ALBERY, DennisTilehurst1589D/A1/35/208 D/A1/11/216MF459 MF10047B
ALBERY, JohnThatcham1571D/A1/9/297MF10046
ALBERY, WilliamCrookham, ThatchamHusbandman1537D/A1/6/053 D/A1/5/217MF10043B MF10043A
ALBERYE, ThomasTilehurstYeoman1596D/A1/35/241 D/A1/12/424MF459 MF10048
ALBINNE, AgnesMarcham1593D/A1/35/221 D/A1/12/064MF459 MF10048
ALBOROW, JamesPriest1556D/A1/7/135MF10040
ALBRIGHT, LydiaReading1816D/A1/226/8MF96122
ALBURY, AnneBarkham1576D/A1/35/152 D/A1/10/050MF459 MF10047A
ALBURY, Richard JnrBeaussend?, TilehurstYeoman1569D/A1/35/113 D/A1/9/201MF459 MF10046
ALBURY, StephenTilehurstYeoman1601D/A1/35/282 D/A1/13/640MF459 MF10049
ALBURYE, RichardTilehurstYeoman1572D/A1/35/133 D/A1/9/310MF459 MF10046
ALCOCK, RebeccaThatcham1839D/A1/144/51MF557
ALCYE, William1560D/A1/35/073MF459
ALDEM, ThomasNew Windsor, WindsorBrewer1611D/A1/168/078MF96001
ALDEN, RichardCookham1611D/A1/173/087 D/A1/168/076MF96006 MF96001
ALDER , FrancisNewburyBaker1617D/A1/173/095 D/A1/168/141MF96006 MF96001
ALDER, AgnesChildrey1596D/A1/35/239 D/A1/12/380MF459 MF10048
ALDER, AnneWatchfield, Shrivenham1687D/A1/37/108MF460
ALDER, BrianChildrey1552D/A1/5/181MF10043A
ALDER, BrianChildrey1552D/A1/4/009MF604
ALDER, BrianSparsholtYeoman1694D/A1/174/100MF96008
ALDER, BrianLambournYeoman1778D/A1/38/182MF461
ALDER, ChristianWallingford St Mary1632D/A1/36/128MF460
ALDER, DennisFulcote, South MoretonYeoman1785D/A1/38/195MF461
ALDER, EdithFenn Mill, Marcham1626D/A1/173/112MF96006
ALDER, EdithFenn Mill, Marcham1627D/A1/36/101 D/A1/16/098 D/A1/173/113MF459 MF10066 MF96006
ALDER, ElizabethDrayton, Abingdon St Helen1617D/A1/36/049 D/A1/15/705MF459 MF10065
ALDER, ElizabethStanford In The Vale 1660D/A1/37/12MF460
ALDER, ElizabethPeasemore1682D/A1/174/79MF96008
ALDER, HenryStanford1594D/A1/35/234MF459
ALDER, HenryStanfordYeoman1594D/A1/35/224 D/A1/12/181MF459 MF10048
ALDER, Henry SnrBucklandYeoman1680D/A1/37/82MF460
ALDER, JamesAbingdon1847D/A1/226/21MF96122
ALDER, JaneStanford In The Vale1617D/A1/36/047 D/A1/15/716MF459 MF10065