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Archiver > ENG-WISBECH-AREA > 2007-02 > 1171754122


From: "John Bland" <>
Subject: Re: [WISBECH] help with a will
Date: Sat, 17 Feb 2007 23:15:22 -0000
References: <000a01c7526f$c01249e0$0901010a@hallowes>
In-Reply-To: <000a01c7526f$c01249e0$0901010a@hallowes>


Hi Penny,

If a Will was proved before 1858 then it may be on documents online
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/wills.asp , if it was
proved at Canterbury. The page I have given the link to points to where the
Will may have been proved. If the Will was such that it did not meet the
criteria to have to be proved at Canterbury, then the Consistory Court at
Ely or Wisbech's own Archdeacons Court would be the most likely places. The
Cambridgeshire Familiy History Society has been working on a searchable
database of Wills at http://www.cfhs.org.uk/camwisdex.html

Obviously if you can locate a Will using these online resources your task
will be easier. If it is an Ely Will, the chances are that the original will
be held by Cambridgeshire County Archives
http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisure/archives/ and they should be able
to advise whether this is the case.

However, I do think you should establish that your GGGG Grandfather's sister
did in fact die in the Wisbech area first. This can be done by Civil
registration or via Parish Records. There is little point looking for a Will
somewhere until you have confirmed the other facts.

If your GGGG Grandfather's sister was married, then it is possible that she
may not have made a Will at all. Prior to the Married Woman's Property Acts
of 1870 and a further reform in 1882 any property belonging to a married
woman automatically went to the husband (unless he had been specifically
excluded from intermeddling by an earlier Will leaving the property to the
wife) In those circumstances, he died first, his Will would most likely have
left a bequest to her for life (or subsequent marriage) and then dictated to
whom it was to go on her death.

Happy Hunting

John R G Bland
Spalding
-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Penny Hallowes
Sent: 17 February 2007 08:44
To:
Subject: [WISBECH] help with a will

Hi everyone,



I am new to your list and have joined as I believe the sister of my 4 x
great grandfather might have died in the Wisbech area. I believe she may
have had some property and so I would be interested to know if she left a
will. Is there anyway of searching either online or getting someone at
record office to look for me? Where would wills be for that area, and who
would I contact? If I have the right lady she died in 1854.

It is very strange that my father who was born in Surrey and lived most of
his life in and around there retired to Gorefield in 1972, Since I have
been researching his family I have found his relations were probably from
Norfolk and around Downham Market, and this Bridget Blackburn/ Blackbourne
probably lived in Wisbech, unfortunately I didn't find this out until Dad
had died.



Thank you for your time



Penny in NZ


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