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
WOOD, ThomasThatchamCloth Worker1630D/A1/221/119 D/A1/168/186MF96113 MF96001
WOOD, ThomasWantageYeoman1843D/A1/166/1MF585
WOODACHE, JohnUfton NervetHusbandman1583D/A1/133/074 D/A1/10/411MF550 MF10047A
WOODALL, HenryClewer1589D/A1/220/139 D/A1/11/368MF96111 MF10047B
WOODALL, JohnBrayYeoman1742D/A1/140/190MF555
WOODALL, OliverUffingtonYeoman1733D/A1/224/93MF96119
WOODAR, WilliamEast IlsleyHusbandman1686D/A1/223/49MF96117
WOODARD, EdwardBrayHusbandman1696D/A1/223/116MF96118
WOODARD, ElizabethReading St Mary1707D/A1/139/125MF554
WOODARD, HenryReading St MaryButcher1789D/A1/142/100MF556
WOODARD, PriscillaReading St Laurence1691D/A1/223/94MF96117
WOODARD, WilliamEast IlsleyHusbandman1687D/A1/223/56MF96117
WOODBRIDG, JoanCharney Bassett, Longworth1695D/A1/139/19MF554
WOODBRIDG, John SnrCharney Bassett, LongworthYeoman1681D/A1/138/72MF553
WOODBRIDGE, AudreyCharney Bassett, Longworth1710D/A1/139/148MF554
WOODBRIDGE, AudreyCharney Bassett, Longworth1710D/A1/139/148MF554
WOODBRIDGE, AvelineEast Oakley, Bray1633D/A1/136/003MF552
WOODBRIDGE, HenryCharney Bassett, LongworthHusbandman, Shepherd1665D/A1/137/123MF553
WOODBRIDGE, HenryHatfordYeoman1743D/A1/140/212MF555
WOODBRIDGE, JohnPuseyHusbandman1736D/A1/140/149MF555
WOODBRIDGE, JohnBaulking, UffingtonYeoman1742D/A1/140/200MF555
WOODBRIDGE, JohnHanneyYeoman1762D/A1/224/169MF96120
WOODBRIDGE, MaryLyford, West Hanney1769D/A1/141/123MF555
WOODBRIDGE, RichardLongworthYeoman1764D/A1/224/174MF96120
WOODBRIDGE, ThomasCharney Bassett, LongworthYeoman1736D/A1/140/151MF555
WOODBRIDGE, ThomasAbingdonSaddle Maker1851D/A1/166/43MF585
WOODCOCK, JoanReading St Mary1581D/A1/133/041 D/A1/10/249MF550 MF10047A
WOODCOCK, WilliamReading St Mary1856D/A1/166/64MF585
WOODCOCKE, AgnesReading St Mary1593D/A1/220/158MF96111
WOODCOCKE, AgnesReading St Mary1593D/A1/12/192MF10048
WOODCOCKE, EdwardReading St MaryTailor1581D/A1/220/106MF96111
WOODCOCKE, EdwardReading St Mary1581D/A1/10/284MF10047A
WOODCOCKE, Samuel JnrDiddenham, Shinfield1669D/A1/222/94MF96115
WOODD, Thomas Snr1558D/A1/220/049MF96110
WOODDARD, EdwardWhite Waltham1624D/A1/221/092MF96113
WOODDARD, EdwardAshburyHusbandman1710D/A1/139/156MF554
WOODE , ChristopherNewburyBell Founder1607D/A1/134/041 D/A1/14/344MF551 MF10064
WOODELEFE, ThomasWootton, CumnorHusbandman1559D/A1/132/156 D/A1/9/324MF550 MF10046
WOODENTON, AliceHampstead Norreys1593D/A1/133/161 D/A1/12/096MF551 MF10048
WOODERD, SimonPangbourneShoemaker1595D/A1/220/164MF96111
WOODERSON, RichardBradfieldLabourer1761D/A1/141/90MF555
WOODES, BenjaminThatchamWeaver1660D/A1/222/43MF96114
WOODES, DorothyEast Ilsley1685D/A1/138/106MF554
WOODES, EmmaOld Windsor1632D/A1/135/126MF552
WOODES, ThomasOld WindsorHusbandman1627D/A1/135/067MF552
WOODES, WilliamWhite Waltham1620D/A1/221/074MF96112
WOODHALL, WilliamBalking, UffingtonHusbandman1702D/A1/139/80MF554
WOODHAM, AnnLambourn1746D/A1/141/13MF555
WOODHAM, HarrietKintbury1831D/A1/232/95MF96131
WOODHAM, LydiaSpeen1809D/A1/232/59MF96131
WOODHOUSE, CatherineBray1704D/A1/223/163MF96118
WOODHOUSE, EdwardBrayGardener1690D/A1/223/75MF96117
WOODING, JohnReadingBargeman1704D/A1/139/101MF554
WOODISON, MaryWinkfield1807D/A1/164/71MF584
WOODLEFFE, EdithWootton, Cumnor1604D/A1/134/021 D/A1/13/1403MF551 MF10049
WOODLEY , William JnrWest Hagbourne, HagbourneYeoman1799D/A1/142/144MF556
WOODLEY , William JnrWest Hagbourne, Hagbourne1829D/A1/232/93MF96131
WOODLEY , William SnrEast HendredYeoman1731D/A1/140/125MF555
WOODLEY, AliceHarwell1627D/A1/135/058MF552
WOODLEY, AnnHarwell1810D/A1/164/83MF584
WOODLEY, AnnSutton Courtenay1832D/A1/165/66MF585
WOODLEY, CatherineDrayton1740D/A1/140/180MF555
WOODLEY, CecilyHarwell1617D/A1/134/130 D/A1/15/705MF551 MF10065
WOODLEY, CecilyHarwell1617D/A1/134/129 D/A1/15/661MF551 MF10065
WOODLEY, EdwardHarwellYeoman1827D/A1/165/46MF584
WOODLEY, ElizabethEast Hanney, West Hanney1723D/A1/140/56MF555
WOODLEY, FrancisWest Hagbourne, HagbourneLabourer1839D/A1/165/92MF585
WOODLEY, FrancisHarwellYeoman1854D/A1/166/57MF585
WOODLEY, HamletHarwell1615D/A1/221/039 D/A1/168/114MF96112 MF96001
WOODLEY, HamletHarwell1617D/A1/221/057MF96112
WOODLEY, HamletHarwell1617D/A1/168/137MF96001
WOODLEY, JamesHarwellYeoman1688D/A1/138/130MF554
WOODLEY, JamesEast HendredYeoman1744D/A1/140/214MF555
WOODLEY, JemimaCowley, Oxfordshire1852D/A1/232/132MF96131
WOODLEY, JoanaAbingdon 1661D/A1/137/87MF553
WOODLEY, JohnHarwellWeaver1645D/A1/137/029MF553
WOODLEY, JohnHarwellYeoman1653D/A1/137/63MF553
WOODLEY, JohnAbingdonInnholder1690D/A1/223/76MF96117
WOODLEY, JohnHarwellInnholder1756D/A1/141/64MF555
WOODLEY, JohnChaddleworthWheelwright1827D/A1/165/49MF584
WOODLEY, JohnHarwellYeoman1836D/A1/165/75MF585
WOODLEY, MaryAbingdon1708D/A1/223/180MF96118
WOODLEY, MaryHarwell1745D/A1/140/218MF555
WOODLEY, RichardWest HanneyWheelwright1710D/A1/139/154MF554
WOODLEY, SamuelDidcotLabourer1832D/A1/232/98MF96131
WOODLEY, ThomasShrivenhamTailor1694D/A1/139/7MF554
WOODLEY, WilliamWootton, CumnorYeoman1647D/A1/222/028 D/A1/169/102MF96114 MF96002
WOODLEY, WilliamHarwellYeoman1731D/A1/140/117MF555
WOODLEY, WilliamEast HendredYeoman1749D/A1/224/144MF96120
WOODLEY, WilliamChaddleworth1777D/A1/224/193MF96120
WOODLEY, WilliamChaddleworth1777D/A1/224/193MF96120
WOODLEY, William SnrAbingdonHemp Dresser1703D/A1/139/89MF554
WOODLIE, JohnEast HendredYeoman1615D/A1/134/110 D/A1/15/526MF551 MF10065
WOODLIFFE, John SnrHarwellYeoman1575D/A1/132/270MF550
WOODLIFFE, WilliamChiltonYeoman1630D/A1/221/115MF96113
WOODLIFFE, WilliamChiltonYeoman1630D/A1/168/179MF96001
WOODLY, JohnWest SheffordYeoman1685D/A1/223/41MF96117
WOODLY, RichardWest HanneyWheelwright1710D/A1/139/154MF554
WOODLY, RichardEast HendredYeoman1741D/A1/140/187MF555
WOODLY, WilliamHarwell1603D/A1/220/200MF96111