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
SWAYNE, TimothyYattendon1640D/A1/119/136MF541
SWAYNE, William SnrBinfieldYeoman1610D/A1/117/040 D/A1/15/042MF539 MF10065
SWAYT, StephenKintbury1600D/A1/116/194 D/A1/13/608MF539 MF10049
SWAYTE, NicholasTitcomb, Kintbury1627D/A1/16/117MF10066
SWAYTE, NicholasTitcomb, KintburyYeoman1628D/A1/118/108MF540
SWEET, RichardReading St MaryDyer1737D/A1/216/144MF96101
SWEETSER, JohnReadingCarpenter1806D/A1/161/127MF583
SWEETSUR, WilliamStratfield Saye, Hampshire1688D/A1/215/56MF96098
SWIFT , Christopher SnrAbingdon St HelenCordwainer1643D/A1/214/065 D/A1/169/083MF96096 MF96002
SWIFT, HenryClewerVictualler1730D/A1/216/110MF96101
SWIFT, JohnAbingdon1600D/A1/13/593MF10049
SWIFT, JohnReadingGrocer1675D/A1/121/70MF542
SWIFTE, HenryAbingdonCordwainer1579D/A1/115/157 D/A1/10/162MF538 MF10047A
SWIFTE, JoanAbingdon1643D/A1/120/008MF541
SWIFTE, JohnAbingdon St Nicholas1600D/A1/213/010MF96094
SWIFTE, JohnFrilford, MarchamHusbandman1612D/A1/117/070 D/A1/15/219MF539 MF10065
SWITHIN, NicholasDenchworthYeoman1705D/A1/99/72MF572
SWITZER, ElizabethReading1825D/A1/162/50MF583
SWRY, ThomasMarcham1543D/A1/114/092 D/A1/1/232MF537 MF10042
SWYNEFORD, 1562D/A1/212/059MF96092
SYDWELL, RichardLetcombe RegisYeoman1695D/A1/215/96MF96098
SYER, AveryKennington, Sunningwell1603D/A1/213/024MF96094
SYER, AveryKennington1603D/A1/13/1021MF10049
SYER, AvisSouth Hinksey, Cumnor1580D/A1/115/162 D/A1/10/218MF538 MF10047A
SYER, JohnSouth Hinksey, CumnorHusbandman1578D/A1/10/106MF10047A
SYER, JohnSouth Hinksey, Cumnor1580D/A1/212/098MF96092
SYER, John JnrSouth Hinksey, Cumnor1578D/A1/115/149MF538
SYER, John SnrSouth Hinksey, CumnorHusbandman1577D/A1/115/142/2MF538
SYERS, JulianSouth Hinksey, Cumnor1579D/A1/10/151MF10047A
SYKES, RichardWaltham St LawrenceHusbandman1577D/A1/115/141 D/A1/10/076MF538 MF10047A
SYLLAM, JohnBeenhamHusbandman1564D/A1/114/270 D/A1/8/313MF537 MF10043C
SYLVER, JoanPadworth1559D/A1/114/231 D/A1/8/058MF537 MF10043C
SYLVER, JohnKintburyTucker1579D/A1/115/155 D/A1/10/196MF538 MF10047A
SYLVER, WilliamFinchampsteadHusbandman1603D/A1/116/221 D/A1/13/1028MF539 MF10049
SYLVESTER, JohnPadworth1550D/A1/114/119 D/A1/5/112MF537 MF10043A
SYMANES, HumphreyHurleyYeoman1634D/A1/119/031MF540
SYMANES, ThomasHampstead Norreys1624D/A1/118/053MF540
SYMENS, MorrisReading St GilesBottle Maker1595D/A1/116/104 D/A1/12/288MF538 MF10048
SYMENS, ThomasCholsey1554D/A1/212/027MF96092
SYMES, AliceSouth Moreton1559D/A1/114/224 D/A1/8/124MF537 MF10043C
SYMES, ChristianHagbourneHusbandman1587D/A1/115/229 D/A1/11/282 D/A1/11/149MF538 MF10047B MF10047B
SYMES, ClementSouth MoretonYeoman1660D/A1/120/64MF541
SYMES, DorothyWhitley, Reading St Giles1648D/A1/120/032MF541
SYMES, ElizabethBeenham1566D/A1/115/014 D/A1/9/023MF538 MF10046
SYMES, HarryAldermaston1576D/A1/115/126 D/A1/10/028MF538 MF10047A
SYMES, HenryHagbourneHusbandman1593D/A1/116/071 D/A1/12/112MF538 MF10048
SYMES, Jane1559D/A1/167/107MF96000
SYMES, JoanMilton1551D/A1/5/128MF10043A
SYMES, JoanSouth Moreton1585D/A1/212/117MF96092
SYMES, JohnShellingford1552D/A1/4/148 D/A1/5/180MF604 MF10043A
SYMES, JohnShellingford1552D/A1/233/411MF96132
SYMES, JohnHagbourne1565D/A1/5/222iMF10043A
SYMES, JohnHagbourne1565D/A1/115/010MF538
SYMES, JohnHagbourneHusbandman1594D/A1/116/088 D/A1/12/184MF538 MF10048
SYMES, JohnBeenhamHusbandman1616D/A1/117/126 D/A1/15/629MF539 MF10065
SYMES, JohnSouth MoretonLabourer1629D/A1/118/130MF540
SYMES, JohnSouth MoretonHusbandman1640D/A1/119/125MF541
SYMES, JudithReading St Giles1642D/A1/214/061MF96096
SYMES, MargaretBeenham1599D/A1/212/188MF96093
SYMES, MargeryBoxford1550D/A1/5/108MF10043A
SYMES, MatthewAldermastonYeoman1626D/A1/118/094MF540
SYMES, RichardHagbourne1531D/A1/1/166MF10042
SYMES, RichardSutton Courtenay1558D/A1/167/099MF96000
SYMES, RichardBarkhamHusbandman1559D/A1/114/222 D/A1/8/068MF537 MF10043C
SYMES, RichardKingston Lisle, SparsholtTailor1584D/A1/212/120 D/A1/10/431MF96092 MF10047A
SYMES, RobertBeenham1579D/A1/10/145MF10047A
SYMES, SaraSouth Moreton1708D/A1/122/165MF543
SYMES, StephenAldermastonHusbandman1559D/A1/212/050MF96092
SYMES, Stephen1559D/A1/167/110MF96000
SYMES, StephenAldermastonYeoman1560D/A1/114/245 D/A1/6/197MF537 MF10043B
SYMES, WilliamBuscot1534D/A1/1/275MF10042
SYMES, WilliamPadworth1553D/A1/212/026MF96092
SYMES, WilliamSouth Moreton1590D/A1/212/142/1 D/A1/116/012/2MF96092 MF538
SYMES, WilliamBeenhamHusbandman1593D/A1/116/072 D/A1/12/113MF538 MF10048
SYMES, WilliamKingstone Winslow, AshburyHusbandman1616D/A1/117/129 D/A1/15/645MF539 MF10065
SYMMES, EleanorAston Tirrold1625D/A1/118/072MF540
SYMMES, JoanMilton1551D/A1/114/125MF537
SYMMES, JohnSouth Moreton1549D/A1/212/014MF96092
SYMMES, JohnAldermastonYeoman1680D/A1/214/200MF96097
SYMMES, MargeryBoxford1540D/A1/212/003MF96092
SYMMES, RichardAldermastonHusbandman1598D/A1/116/143 D/A1/13/280MF539 MF10049
SYMMES, WilliamThatcham1569D/A1/115/054 D/A1/9/198MF538 MF10046
SYMMES, WilliamSouth Moreton1590D/A1/11/369MF10047B
SYMMONDS, FrancisArdingtonYeoman1731D/A1/124/28MF544
SYMMONS, JohnWargrave1595D/A1/116/103 D/A1/12/295MF538 MF10048
SYMMONS, JohnCholseyYeoman1640D/A1/119/126MF541
SYMMS, Edward SnrWallingfordMusician1666D/A1/214/124MF96097
SYMMYS, WilliamMilton1539D/A1/1/227MF10042
SYMNES, JohnSouth MoretonHusbandman1583D/A1/115/202 D/A1/10/414MF538 MF10047A
SYMONDES, ClemenceWallingford St Mary1556D/A1/114/151 D/A1/7/116MF537 MF10040
SYMONDES, JohnRadleyHusbandman1559D/A1/114/205 D/A1/7/306MF537 MF10040
SYMONDS, AdamChildreyYeoman1714D/A1/123/23MF543
SYMONDS, AnnWallingford1728D/A1/216/93MF96101
SYMONDS, ChurchNewburyBookseller1715D/A1/216/34MF96100
SYMONDS, EdwardArdington Mill , ArdingtonYeoman1807D/A1/161/120MF583
SYMONDS, ElizabethWarfield1690D/A1/215/69MF96098
SYMONDS, ElizabethSutton Courtenay1772D/A1/216/233MF96102
SYMONDS, JohnSulhamstead AbbotsHusbandman1563D/A1/114/267 D/A1/8/273MF537 MF10043C
SYMONDS, JohnOakfield, Stratfield MortimerGardener1670D/A1/121/5MF542
SYMONDS, JohnEast LockingeYeoman1759D/A1/216/216MF96102