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
BETTRIDGE, MaryEast Hanney, West Hanney1837D/A1/226/90MF96123
BETTRIDGE, WilliamWantageVictualler1856D/A1/147/53MF558
BETTS, ThomasCumnor1678D/A1/47/31MF466
BETTYE, NicholasWoolstone, UffingtonGlover1625D/A1/43/116MF464
BEVAN, AlexanderAbingdonSurgeon1841D/A1/146/59MF557
BEVAR, AnthonyClapton, Kintbury1559D/A1/39/143 D/A1/8/140MF461 MF10043C
BEVER, AvisStratfield Mortimer1609D/A1/42/054 D/A1/14/603MF463 MF10064
BEVER, John SnrAldermastonWeaver1567D/A1/39/227 D/A1/9/083MF462 MF10046
BEVER, RobertReadingYeoman1696D/A1/48/42MF467
BEVER, SamuelStratfield Mortimer1740D/A1/49/221MF468
BEVERTON, MargaretBurghfield1558D/A1/39/117MF461
BEVERTON, MargaretBurghfield1559D/A1/39/116 D/A1/8/087MF461 MF10043C
BEVINGTON, GeorgeBarkhamHusbandman1615D/A1/42/121 D/A1/15/505MF463 MF10065
BEVINGTON, JaneSunninghill1651D/A1/45/050MF465
BEVINGTON, JosephSunninghillBlacksmith1650D/A1/45/048MF465
BEVIS, WilliamStrtfield Saye, HampshireCordwinder1707D/A1/179/180MF96018
BEW, AnnLeckhampstead, Chieveley1762D/A1/50/101MF469
BEW, AnnLambourn1847D/A1/226/122MF96123
BEW, AnneOare, Chieveley1746D/A1/50/7MF469
BEW, EdwardKennington, SunningwellYeoman1600D/A1/13/598 D/A1/41/074MF10049 MF462
BEW, ElizabethChieveley1728D/A1/180/100MF96020
BEW, HannahOare, Chieveley1737D/A1/49/192MF468
BEW, JohnN. Heath, ChieveleyYeoman1705D/A1/48/128MF467
BEW, JohnLeckhampstead, ChieveleyYeoman1742D/A1/49/241MF468
BEW, JohnSpeenYeoman1749D/A1/180/187MF96020
BEW, MaryChieveley1730D/A1/180/110MF96020
BEW, MaryOare, Chieveley1750D/A1/50/34MF469
BEW, RachelBradfield1755D/A1/50/69MF469
BEW, RichardN. Heath, ChieveleyYeoman1704D/A1/48/115MF467
BEW, RichardChieveleySchoolmaster1780D/A1/50/178MF469
BEW, RichardThatchamSurgeon1823D/A1/145/116MF557
BEW, RobertSpeen1844D/A1/226/114MF96123
BEW, ThomasWest Hagbourne, Hagbourne1541D/A1/39/007MF461
BEW, ThomasN. Heath, Chieveley1708D/A1/179/184MF96018
BEW, WilliamPeasemoreCooper1807D/A1/145/37MF557
BEWDON, AgnesMilton1664D/A1/45/140MF465
BEWDON, RichardWallingford St Peter1580D/A1/10/236MF10047A
BEWE, DavidWest Hagbourne, HagbourneTailor1620D/A1/43/035MF464
BEWE, JohnNorth Heath, ChieveleyHusbandman1648D/A1/45/032MF465
BEWE, RichardDidcot1557D/A1/39/076 D/A1/7/137MF461 MF10040
BEWE, ThomasWest Hagbourne, Hagbourne1541D/A1/1/209MF10042
BEWE, ThomasKennington, Sunningwell1610D/A1/176/030MF96012
BEZOR, JohnLambournMason1702D/A1/48/98MF467
BIDDELL, John SnrSwallowfieldClothier1684D/A1/47/102MF466
BIDDELL, RogerBinfieldHusbandman1622D/A1/43/077MF464
BIDDIS, AnthonyReading St MaryCooper1690D/A1/179/82MF96017
BIDDIS, AnthonyReading St LaurenceCloth Worker1710D/A1/179/194MF96018
BIDDLE, EdwardSwallowfieldYeoman1671D/A1/46/76MF466
BIDDLE, EdwardReadingBricklayer1852D/A1/147/27MF558
BIDDLE, ElizabethNew Windsor, Windsor1609D/A1/42/034 D/A1/14/509MF463 MF10064
BIDDLE, HannahSwallowfield1687D/A1/179/58MF96016
BIDDLE, John SnrSwallowfield1692D/A1/48/4MF467
BIDE, ChristopherAbingdonShoemaker1595D/A1/41/060 D/A1/12/302MF462 MF10048
BIDE, JoanAbingdon1575D/A1/175/076MF96010
BIDE, RichardAbingdon St HelenCordwainer1573D/A1/40/021 D/A1/9/359MF462 MF10046
BIDE, RichardReading St GilesMiller1603D/A1/175/175 D/A1/13/1020MF96011 MF10049
BIDLE, DanielNew Windsor, WindsorYeoman1633D/A1/177/044MF96013
BIDLE, DanielNew Windsor, Windsor1633D/A1/168/245MF96001
BIDLE, JohnWarfieldHusbandman1675D/A1/178/161MF96015
BIE, JohnReading1597D/A1/175/152MF96010
BIE, JohnReading St Mary1597D/A1/13/189MF10049
BIEDYLL, WilliamEasthampstead1541D/A1/39/005MF461
BIGGE, BridgetReading St Laurence1623D/A1/43/093MF464
BIGGE, MatthewWallingford All Hallows1610D/A1/176/031 D/A1/168/066MF96012 MF96001
BIGGS, Alexander SnrReadingYeoman1642D/A1/44/155MF465
BIGGS, EdwardBinfield1815D/A1/145/79MF557
BIGGS, HenryReading St Laurence1596D/A1/13/179MF10049
BIGGS, HenryFyfieldWarrener1607D/A1/176/012 D/A1/168/028MF96012 MF96001
BIGGS, JohnWelfordLabourer1704D/A1/48/116MF467
BIGGS, MarthaWest Hagbourne, Hagbourne1765D/A1/180/216MF96020
BIGGS, ThomasWaltham St LawrenceHusbandman1730D/A1/180/112MF96020
BIGHTON, EdwardWallingford St MaryAlderman1591D/A1/41/022 D/A1/11/362MF462 MF10047B
BIGHTON, RichardBeech Hill, Stratfield Saye, Hampshire1590D/A1/11/371MF10047B
BIGNALL, JohnNewbury1570D/A1/167/142MF96000
BIGNELL, HenryHamstead Marshall1682D/A1/179/15MF96016
BIGNELL, ThomasKintbury1530D/A1/1/126MF10041
BIGS, WilliamWaltham St. LawrenceHusbandman1695D/A1/48/34MF467
BIGWOOD, RichardTilehurstYeoman1740D/A1/49/222MF468
BILBEY, AgnesShinfield1612D/A1/42/094 D/A1/15/299MF463 MF10065
BILGER, DanielBracknell, EasthampsteadCommissary In Hm Goverment1818D/A1/145/89MF557
BILLIE, JaneAbingdon1644D/A1/45/013MF465
BILLINGLY, RichardDraytonWheelwright1739D/A1/49/215MF468
BILLINGSLEY, AgnesDrayton, Abingdon St Helen1606D/A1/176/004 D/A1/168/010MF96012 MF96001
BILLINGSLEY, AnneMarcham1691D/A1/47/165MF467
BILLINGSLEY, JamesSutton Wick, Sutton CourtenayYeoman1641D/A1/44/148MF465
BILLINGSLEY, JohnDrayton, Abingdon St HelenHusbandman1592D/A1/41/027 D/A1/12/023MF462 MF10048
BILLINGSLEY, JohnAbingdonCloth Worker1666D/A1/46/24MF466
BILLINGSLEY, JosephReadingWhitesmith1813D/A1/145/63MF557
BILLINGSLEY, MaryReading1830D/A1/145/141MF557
BILLINGSLY, JamesSutton Wick, Sutton CourtenayYeoman1708D/A1/179/182MF96018
BILLINGSLY, JohnReading St LaurenceBroadcloth Weaver1724D/A1/180/83MF96019
BILLINGSLY, RichardDraytonBlacksmith1663D/A1/45/129MF465
BILLITHE, JamesAbingdon St HelenClerk1618D/A1/176/058 D/A1/168/153MF96012 MF96001
BILLMORE, ThomasBuckleburyHusbandman1664D/A1/45/135MF465
BILSON , Avery SnrReadingLabourer1732D/A1/49/159MF468
BILSON, AnthonyDraytonTailor1663D/A1/178/75MF96015
BILSON, JohnDrayton, Abingdon St HelenHusbandman1644D/A1/44/174MF465
BILSON, MaryReading1732D/A1/180/129MF96020
BILSON, RichardSutton CourtenayTailor1670D/A1/46/56MF466
BILSON, RobertDrayton, Abingdon St HelenYeoman1638D/A1/16/480MF10066