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
GODWIN, ThomasThatchamBellows Maker1724D/A1/193/52MF96044
GODWIN, WilliamLambourn1830D/A1/228/32MF96125
GODWIN, William SnrNewburyClothier1635D/A1/72/086 D/A1/168/267MF521 MF96001
GODWIN, William SnrNewburyClothier1641D/A1/192/030MF96042
GODWINE, AliceBrightwalton1587D/A1/71/090 D/A1/11/242MF520 MF10047B
GODWINE, JohnStratfield MortimerYeoman1667D/A1/73/29MF522
GODWINE, RobertAbingdon1555D/A1/233/375MF96132
GODWYN , AlexanderStratfield Mortimer1612D/A1/71/186 D/A1/15/238MF520 MF10065
GODWYN, RichardBrimptonWeaver1562D/A1/191/025MF96040
GODWYN, RobertAbingdon St Helen1555D/A1/4/083 D/A1/7/094MF604 MF10040
GODWYN, ThomasTilehurstYeoman1582D/A1/71/065 D/A1/10/382MF520 MF10047A
GODWYN, WilliamTilehurst1577D/A1/10/106MF10047A
GODWYN, WilliamNewbury1638D/A1/192/024MF96042
GODWYNE, WilliamTilehurst1559D/A1/70/046 D/A1/8/095MF520 MF10043C
GODWYNE, WilliamTilehurstLabourer1577D/A1/71/037MF520
GODWYNNE, JohnAbingdon St HelenYeoman1585D/A1/11/042MF10047B
GODWYNNE, RichardTilehurstYeoman1582D/A1/191/049MF96040
GODWYNNE, RichardTilehurst1582D/A1/10/334MF10047A
GOED, NicholasNew Windsor, WindsorYeoman1537D/A1/2/234MF604
GOFF, JohnShellingford1662D/A1/73/11MF522
GOFFE, GOUGH, ThomasNewburyGoldsmith1666D/A1/192/76MF96042
GOLBURNE, JohnStanford DingleyBucket Maker1667D/A1/192/74MF96042
GOLD, EdwardReading St GilesShearman1643D/A1/72/140MF521
GOLD, JohnWarfieldHusbandman1652D/A1/72/163MF521
GOLD, JohnCholseyYeoman1731D/A1/74/160MF523
GOLD, JohnKingston BagpuizeYeoman1752D/A1/74/230MF523
GOLD, John SnrKingston BagpuizeHusbandman1631D/A1/16/274MF10066
GOLD, John SnrCholseyYeoman1704D/A1/74/29MF522
GOLD, MaudeDraycott Moor, Longworth1574D/A1/71/026 D/A1/9/438MF520 MF10046
GOLD, NicholasStratfield MortimerCordwainer1725D/A1/193/61MF96044
GOLD, PeterAppleton1584D/A1/71/072 D/A1/10/426MF520 MF10047A
GOLD, RhysReadingHusbandman1647D/A1/72/151MF521
GOLD, RobertStratfield MortimerYeoman1740D/A1/74/195MF523
GOLD, StephenWokefield, Stratfield MortimerYeoman1667D/A1/73/31MF522
GOLD, ThomasKingston BagpuizeHusbandman1676D/A1/192/102MF96043
GOLD, ThomasSunningwellLabourer1693D/A1/192/148MF96043
GOLD, ThomasShinfieldLabourer1819D/A1/151/73MF560
GOLDBORNE, ElizabethNewbury1715D/A1/74/85MF522
GOLDBORNE, RichardGreenham, Thatcham Bricklayer1724D/A1/74/117MF523
GOLDBORNE, WilliamNewburyInnholder1683D/A1/73/103MF522
GOLDBORNE, William SnrNewburyClothier1676D/A1/73/75MF522
GOLDBURNE, ThomasChieveley1633D/A1/72/072MF521
GOLDBY, ThomasAbingdonBaker1760D/A1/193/108MF96044
GOLDE, JohnDraycott Moor, Longworth1558D/A1/70/041/1 D/A1/7/247MF520 MF10040
GOLDE, ThomasMarcham1557D/A1/233/119MF96132
GOLDE, ThomasMarcham1557D/A1/2/213MF604
GOLDER, AnneBeenham1690D/A1/192/143MF96043
GOLDER, JohnWargrave1545D/A1/191/006MF96040
GOLDER, JohnWallingfordWeaver1578D/A1/191/044MF96040
GOLDER, MargaretBeenham1694D/A1/73/148MF522
GOLDESMYTH, ThomasCrookham, ThatchamHusbandman1607D/A1/71/164 D/A1/14/336MF520 MF10064
GOLDING, AliceKnighton, Compton Beauchamp1678D/A1/73/83MF522
GOLDING, EdwardKnighton, Compton BeauchampHusbandman1674D/A1/73/67MF522
GOLDING, ElizabethLetcombe Regis1627D/A1/72/041MF521
GOLDING, ElizabethLetcombe Regis1727D/A1/193/67MF96044
GOLDING, GeorgeLetcombe Regis1830D/A1/228/35MF96125
GOLDING, HenryLetcombe RegisYeoman1754D/A1/74/238MF523
GOLDING, Henry SnrLetcombe RegisYeoman1703D/A1/74/27MF522
GOLDING, HughKnighton, Compton Beauchamp1614D/A1/71/199MF520
GOLDING, JaneShellingford1709D/A1/193/53MF96044
GOLDING, JohnReadingVictualler, Innholder1699D/A1/192/162MF96043
GOLDING, MargaretKnighton, Compton Beauchamp1628D/A1/72/045MF521
GOLDING, Mary AnnThatcham1838D/A1/228/41MF96125
GOLDING, PhilipShellingfordSurgeon1730D/A1/74/148MF523
GOLDING, RichardNewburyButcher1611D/A1/71/180 D/A1/15/126MF520 MF10065
GOLDING, ThomasNewbury1720D/A1/74/107MF522
GOLDING, ThomasBuscotYeoman1727D/A1/74/128MF523
GOLDING, ThomasNewburyBlacksmith1789D/A1/75/113MF523
GOLDINGE, JohnGreenham, ThatchamYeoman1643D/A1/72/141MF521
GOLDINGE, John SnrKnighton, Compton Beauchamp1644D/A1/72/145MF521
GOLDINGE, ThomasNewburyHusbandman1685D/A1/192/128MF96043
GOLDSMITH, ThomasSwallowfieldCooper1697D/A1/74/5MF522
GOLDSMITH, ThomasMaidenheadYeoman1710D/A1/74/67MF522
GOLDSMITH, ThomasMaidenheadYeoman1710D/A1/74/67MF522
GOLDSMITH, Thomas SnrSwallowfieldCooper1678D/A1/73/85MF522
GOLDSMITHE, BridgetCrookham, Thatcham1595D/A1/71/114 D/A1/12/238MF520 MF10048
GOLDSTONE, JohnGreenham, ThatchamServant1593D/A1/191/076MF96040
GOLDSTONE, JohnGreenham, Thatcham1593D/A1/12/072MF10048
GOLDWYR, JohnBrimpton1537D/A1/2/221MF604
GOLDWYRE, JohnNewburyClothier, Bailiff1558D/A1/70/049 D/A1/7/249MF520 MF10040
GOMAN, AdamReading1614D/A1/71/195 D/A1/15/421MF520 MF10065
GONELL, JohnWargraveHusbandman1531D/A1/1/169MF10042
GONNEL , ThomasWargrave1592D/A1/11/377MF10047B
GONNELL, ElizabethHare Hatch, Wargrave1620D/A1/71/225MF521
GONNELL, ElizabethWargrave1637D/A1/72/097MF521
GONNELL, Francis SnrWargraveYeoman1644D/A1/72/144MF521
GONNELL, HenrySunningwell1589D/A1/11/367MF10047B
GONNELL, JohnHare Hatch, WargraveHusbandman1592D/A1/71/104 D/A1/12/016MF520 MF10048
GONNELL, RobertBurghfieldHusbandman1616D/A1/191/125MF96041
GONNELL, RobertBurghfield1616D/A1/168/134MF96001
GONNELL, ThomasWargrave1548D/A1/2/223MF604
GONNELL, ThomasWargravePloughwright1592D/A1/191/071MF96040
GONNELL, WilliamWargraveHusbandman1567D/A1/70/080 D/A1/9/065MF520 MF10046
GONNTER, MargaretWatchfield, Shrivenham1578D/A1/71/039 D/A1/10/110MF520 MF10047A
GONNTTER, WilliamWatchfield, Shrivenham1572D/A1/71/012MF520
GOOD, HenryWoolhamptonTailor1698D/A1/74/1MF522
GOOD, StephenChieveley1769D/A1/193/121MF96044
GOODALE, MargaretHamstead Marshall1616D/A1/71/201 D/A1/15/593MF520 MF10065
GOODALE, MargaretReading1686D/A1/73/121MF522
GOODALE, RichardAston TirroldHusbandman1674D/A1/192/98MF96043