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.

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
DORE, JaneBoxford1728D/A1/64/87MF516
DORE, JoanHoe Benham, Welford1587D/A1/61/160 D/A1/11/129MF514 MF10047B
DORE, JoanHoe Benham, Welford1643D/A1/62/169MF515
DORE, JoanWelford1696D/A1/187/80MF96031
DORE, JoanBoxford1708D/A1/187/98MF96031
DORE, JohnHoe Benham, WelfordWeaver1573D/A1/186/034MF96029
DORE, JohnStreatleyCarpenter1586D/A1/61/153 D/A1/11/081MF514 MF10047B
DORE, JohnLong Tows, BoxfordHusbandman1605D/A1/186/079MF96029
DORE, JohnBoxford1605D/A1/14/181MF10064
DORE, JohnBoxfordHusbandman1632D/A1/62/122MF515
DORE, JohnBourton, ShrivenhamHusbandman1636D/A1/62/138MF515
DORE, JohnWelfordYeoman1740D/A1/64/123MF516
DORE, JohnTheale, TilehurstHarness Maker1761D/A1/187/177MF96032
DORE, JohnNewburyBasket Maker1818D/A1/149/21MF559
DORE, John SnrWelford1534D/A1/1/268MF10042
DORE, MargaretBoxford1598D/A1/61/201 D/A1/13/285MF514 MF10049
DORE, MargeryEast Garston1598D/A1/61/200/1 D/A1/13/254MF514 MF10049
DORE, MargeryBoxford1639D/A1/62/154MF515
DORE, MaryNewbury1725D/A1/187/134MF96032
DORE, PeterWelfordWeaver1550D/A1/4/057 D/A1/5/118MF604 MF10043A
DORE, RichardBrightwalton1567D/A1/9/047MF10046
DORE, RichardWelford1567D/A1/61/086MF514
DORE, RichardHamstead MarshallHusbandman1670D/A1/63/47MF515
DORE, RichardBenham, SpeenHusbandman1681D/A1/63/83MF515
DORE, RichardBeenhamLabourer1737D/A1/187/156MF96032
DORE, RichardHamstead MarshallBricklayer1805D/A1/149/8MF559
DORE, RobertHoe Benham, WelfordHusbandman1577D/A1/61/121 D/A1/10/115MF514 MF10047A
DORE, RobertWestbrook, BoxfordHusbandman1666D/A1/63/30MF515
DORE, RobertHoe Benham, Welford1666D/A1/187/13MF96031
DORE, Robert JnrHoe Benham, WelfordHusbandman1617D/A1/62/025 D/A1/15/698MF514 MF10065
DORE, Robert SnrHoe Benham, Welford1631D/A1/62/116MF515
DORE, SarahNewbury1725D/A1/187/135MF96032
DORE, SarahSpeen1785D/A1/65/196MF517
DORE, ThomasWelford1577D/A1/10/074MF10047A
DORE, ThomasEast Garston1587D/A1/61/157 D/A1/11/257MF514 MF10047B
DORE, ThomasBoxfordYeoman1618D/A1/62/035 D/A1/15/835MF514 MF10065
DORE, ThomasBoxfordHusbandman1639D/A1/62/146MF515
DORE, ThomasWestbrook, BoxfordYeoman1703D/A1/64/18MF516
DORE, ThomasWestbrook, BoxfordYeoman1705D/A1/187/87MF96031
DORE, ThomasBoxfordHusbandman1730D/A1/64/92MF516
DORE, ThomasAbingdon1820D/A1/227/92MF96124
DORE, Thomas JnrHoe Benham, WelfordYeoman1679D/A1/63/79MF515
DORE, Thomas SnrHoe Benham, WelfordYeoman1679D/A1/63/78MF515
DORE, WilliamBoxfordWeaver1595D/A1/61/187 D/A1/12/286MF514 MF10048
DORE, WilliamHoe Benham, WelfordHusbandman1626D/A1/186/132MF96030
DORE, WilliamWelfordYeoman1689D/A1/63/114MF515
DORE, WilliamEast GarstonYeoman1691D/A1/187/66MF96031
DORE, WilliamWelfordCooper1708D/A1/187/96MF96031
DORE, WilliamHamstead MarshallWeaver1721D/A1/187/129MF96031
DORE, WilliamAshburyYeoman1727D/A1/64/84MF516
DORE, WilliamEast GarstonYeoman1766D/A1/64/187MF516
DORE, William SnrHoe Benham, WelfordHusbandman1617D/A1/62/024 D/A1/15/702MF514 MF10065
DOREBAR, JohnAbingdon St HelenFreemason1586D/A1/61/154 D/A1/11/103MF514 MF10047B
DORMAN, AnneEast Hanney, West Hanney1665D/A1/63/28MF515
DORMAN, HumphreyWaltham St LawrenceCarpenter1633D/A1/62/130MF515
DORMAN, JamesBray1599D/A1/61/206 D/A1/13/415MF514 MF10049
DORMAN, JohnSutton CourtenayYeoman1615D/A1/62/012 D/A1/15/553MF514 MF10065
DORMAN, JohnAbingdonWorkman Brewer1703D/A1/64/20MF516
DORMAN, NicholasEast Hanney, West HanneyYeoman1733D/A1/64/105MF516
DORMAN, WilliamReadingWeaver1731D/A1/64/100MF516
DORMAN, William SnrReadingWeaver1707D/A1/64/36MF516
DORMAR, JohnSutton CourtenayHusbandman1571D/A1/61/098 D/A1/9/289MF514 MF10046
DORMER, JohnWaltham St LawrenceCarpenter1597D/A1/186/067MF96029
DORMER, JohnWaltham St Lawrence1597D/A1/13/190MF10049
DORMER, ThomasSutton Courtenay1571D/A1/167/149MF96000
DORMOR, WilliamWest Hanney1826D/A1/227/97MF96124
DORNE, JohnLambournHusbandman1722D/A1/187/132MF96032
DORNE, JohnAppleton1790D/A1/65/201MF517
DORNE, TimothyAppletonCordwainer1724D/A1/64/79MF516
DORRE, GeorgeHampstead Norreys1549D/A1/61/013MF514
DORRELL, AnnCholsey1754D/A1/187/167MF96032
DORRELL, GeorgeWelfordRector, Clerk1597D/A1/186/064 D/A1/13/183MF96029 MF10049
DORRELL, JosephPadworthMiller1748D/A1/187/163MF96032
DORRELL, RichardWargraveTanner1675D/A1/63/66MF515
DORRELL, ThomasAldworthYeoman1714D/A1/187/116MF96031
DORRELL, ThomasAldworthYeoman1718D/A1/187/123MF96031
DORRELL, ThomasReadingPoulterer1757D/A1/64/158MF516
DOSET, WilliamReading St MaryWeaver1575D/A1/61/115 D/A1/9/448MF514 MF10046
DOUCE, ThomasPeasemoreHusbandman1712D/A1/187/108MF96031
DOUGHTY, JoelTheale, TilehurstPublican1797D/A1/65/210MF517
DOUGHTY, ThomasDenchworth1544D/A1/2/163MF604
DOUGLAS, RichardBrayBlacksmith1740D/A1/64/124MF516
DOUGLAS, ThomasBarkhamBlacksmith1710D/A1/64/45MF516
DOUGLAS, WilliamWargraveBlacksmith1648D/A1/186/176MF96030
DOUGLAS, William SnrReadingBarber Chirurgeon1659D/A1/63/4MF515
DOUGLAS, William SnrReadingBarber Surgeon1713D/A1/64/51MF516
DOULEING, WilliamBucklandHusbandman1677D/A1/63/72MF515
DOUNEKLEY, WilliamNewnham Murren, Wallingford St PeterCurate1574D/A1/61/108 D/A1/9/405MF514 MF10046
DOUSDON, JoanHanney1545D/A1/2/165MF604
DOVE, John1542D/A1/61/003MF514
DOVE, JohnReading1542D/A1/1/212bMF10042
DOVE, SarahMarcham1840D/A1/227/107MF96124
DOVE, ThomasNewburyCloth Worker1641D/A1/186/159MF96030
DOVE, UrsulaNewbury1664D/A1/63/23MF515
DOW, EdwardLetcombe Regis1666D/A1/187/16MF96031
DOWBURNE, ThomasSunninghill1543D/A1/61/009MF514
DOWDON, WilliamAbingdonBlacksmith1700D/A1/64/9MF516
DOWGLAS, JohnWargraveGlover1565D/A1/61/080 D/A1/8/355MF514 MF10043C
DOWGLASS, WilliamWargraveLabourer1709D/A1/187/102MF96031
DOWGTYE, ThomasShellingford1544D/A1/233/105MF96132