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
HOLLOWAYE, JohnMaidenhatch, Pangbourne1616D/A1/78/062 D/A1/15/598MF525 MF10065
HOLLOWAYE, JohnPangbourneHusbandman1631D/A1/79/047MF526
HOLLOWAYE, MargaretFinchampstead1613D/A1/78/034 D/A1/15/390MF525 MF10065
HOLLOWAYE, RichardTilehurstYeoman1587D/A1/77/022 D/A1/11/140MF524 MF10047B
HOLLOWAYE, ThomasPurley1572D/A1/76/146 D/A1/9/330MF524 MF10046
HOLLOWAYE, ThomasFinchampstead1618D/A1/78/086 D/A1/15/797MF525 MF10065
HOLLOWAYE, WilliamFinchampsteadHusbandman1618D/A1/78/085/1 D/A1/15/796 D/A1/78/089/2MF525 MF10065 MF525
HOLLOWEY, JohnMaidenhatch, Pangbourne1593D/A1/77/089 D/A1/12/115MF524 MF10048
HOLLTON, RichardBinfieldCarpenter1639D/A1/79/150MF526
HOLLYDAIE, ThomasBaulking, UffingtonYeoman1600D/A1/77/165 D/A1/13/508MF525 MF10049
HOLLYDAY, ElizabethLambourn1749D/A1/198/227MF96055
HOLLYDAY, JohnArdingtonHusbandman1586D/A1/77/019 D/A1/11/058MF524 MF10047B
HOLLYDAY, RichardEast Hagbourne, HagbourneYeoman1753D/A1/198/237MF96055
HOLLYDAY, RobertFernham, ShrivenhamYeoman1707D/A1/83/122MF528
HOLLYDAY, RobertWindsorVictualler1733D/A1/84/114MF529
HOLLYDAYE, WilliamAbingdon1663D/A1/196/135MF96051
HOLLYEAR, JohnShinfield1681D/A1/82/5MF528
HOLLYEAR, JohnShinfieldHusbandman1688D/A1/82/74MF528
HOLLYER, JoanShinfield1700D/A1/83/67MF528
HOLLYER, JohnShinfieldYeoman1739D/A1/198/188MF96055
HOLLYER, MaryReading1747D/A1/84/220MF529
HOLLYER, SarahReading1715D/A1/83/179MF529
HOLLYER, ThomasShinfieldYeoman1721D/A1/84/11MF529
HOLMAS, ThomasEast Hendred1569D/A1/76/120 D/A1/9/162MF524 MF10046
HOLME , JohnOare, ChieveleyYeoman1595D/A1/77/104 D/A1/12/306MF524 MF10048
HOLME, ElizabethOare, Chieveley1596D/A1/77/113 D/A1/12/348MF524 MF10048
HOLME, RogerHampstead Norreys1555D/A1/193/177MF96045
HOLMES , Thomas SnrComptonYeoman1741D/A1/84/184MF529
HOLMES, AdamEast Hendred1614D/A1/78/048 D/A1/15/451MF525 MF10065
HOLMES, AdamPeasemoreHusbandman1667D/A1/80/156MF527
HOLMES, BennetMoor, Chieveley1636D/A1/79/106MF526
HOLMES, ClementWarfieldWeaver1640D/A1/79/164MF526
HOLMES, EdwardPeasemoreHusbandman1674D/A1/81/71MF527
HOLMES, EdwardEast HendredYeoman1706D/A1/83/111MF528
HOLMES, EdwardKennington, RadleyYeoman1737D/A1/84/152MF529
HOLMES, EdwardBrightwalton1820D/A1/228/97MF96125
HOLMES, ElizabethSouth Moreton1739D/A1/84/160MF529
HOLMES, ElizabethEast Hendred1762D/A1/85/31MF530
HOLMES, FrancisAldworthHusbandman1643D/A1/80/014MF526
HOLMES, HenryStreatleyInnkeeper1857D/A1/228/165MF96125
HOLMES, HumphreyNewburyClothier1592D/A1/194/064MF96046
HOLMES, JanePeasemore1684D/A1/82/37MF528
HOLMES, JohnPangbourneHusbandman1596D/A1/194/082 D/A1/12/404MF96047 MF10048
HOLMES, JohnHampstead NorreysHusbandman1618D/A1/78/093 D/A1/15/832MF525 MF10065
HOLMES, JohnEast HendredCollar Maker1727D/A1/84/66MF529
HOLMES, JohnChildreyClerk1734D/A1/84/120MF529
HOLMES, JohnEast HendredYeoman1739D/A1/84/163MF529
HOLMES, JohnComptonMaltster1774D/A1/85/93MF530
HOLMES, JohnBasildonShopkeeper1794D/A1/85/154MF530
HOLMES, JohnBrightwaltonTailor1799D/A1/85/170MF530
HOLMES, JohnWest Hanney1851D/A1/154/93MF580
HOLMES, John SmithHarwellFarmer1854D/A1/228/158MF96125
HOLMES, John SnrEast HendredYeoman1686D/A1/82/60MF528
HOLMES, MaryBrightwalton1722D/A1/198/110MF96054
HOLMES, MaryWest Hanney1820D/A1/153/67MF560
HOLMES, MaudeSteventon1571D/A1/76/135 D/A1/9/248MF524 MF10046
HOLMES, NicholasPangbourneYeoman1602D/A1/194/111 D/A1/13/1014MF96047 MF10049
HOLMES, PeterShaw Cum DonningtonYeoman1742D/A1/198/202MF96055
HOLMES, PhilipNewburyApparitor1640D/A1/79/166MF526
HOLMES, RichardEast HendredYeoman1734D/A1/84/124MF529
HOLMES, RichardSouth MoretonCollar Maker1736D/A1/84/131MF529
HOLMES, RichardEast HendredCordwainer1694D/A1/83/22MF528
HOLMES, RichardPeasemoreHusbandman1698D/A1/197/177 MF96053
HOLMES, RichardMiddle Aston, Oxon., RadleyGardener1701D/A1/83/74MF528
HOLMES, RichardComptonTailor1718D/A1/83/203MF529
HOLMES, RobertOare, ChieveleyYeoman1720D/A1/84/8MF529
HOLMES, SarahEast Hendred1759D/A1/85/14MF530
HOLMES, ThomasOare, Chieveley1560D/A1/76/067 D/A1/7/332MF524 MF10040
HOLMES, ThomasAldworth1602D/A1/194/110MF96047
HOLMES, ThomasAldworth1602D/A1/13/860MF10049
HOLMES, ThomasOare, ChieveleyHusbandman1648D/A1/196/087MF96050
HOLMES, ThomasEast Compton, ComptonYeoman1712D/A1/83/154MF528
HOLMES, ThomasWaltham St LawrenceYeoman1722D/A1/84/30MF529
HOLMES, ThomasShaw Cum DonningtonHusbandman1731D/A1/198/153MF96054
HOLMES, ThomasBrayFarmer1749D/A1/84/232MF529
HOLMES, ThomasCompton, WestSheep Dealer1765D/A1/85/46MF530
HOLMES, ThomasReading St Mary1799D/A1/198/302MF96055
HOLMES, ThomasKintburyBlacksmith1818D/A1/228/94MF96125
HOLMES, WilliamSteventon1607D/A1/77/237 D/A1/14/373MF525 MF10064
HOLMES, WilliamOare, ChieveleyYeoman1613D/A1/78/032 D/A1/15/346MF525 MF10065
HOLMES, WilliamEast HendredYeoman1648D/A1/80/048/1MF526
HOLMES, WilliamEnborneHusbandman1678D/A1/197/41MF96052
HOLMES, WilliamBradfieldYeoman1754D/A1/84/257MF529
HOLMS, RichardNewbury1559D/A1/76/057 D/A1/6/194MF524 MF10043B
HOLMS, RobertAldworth1557D/A1/7/156MF10040
HOLMS, WilliamEast Ilsley1541D/A1/233/158MF96132
HOLMS, WilliamEast Ilsley1541D/A1/2/267MF604
HOLMS, WilliamChaddleworthYeoman1688D/A1/82/81MF528
HOLOND, MartinKintburyVicar1545D/A1/1/013 D/A1/75/012MF10041 MF523
HOLOWAY, AgnesBradfield1567D/A1/9/075MF10046
HOLOWAY, AgnesBradfield1567D/A1/76/113MF524
HOLOWAY, AliceWasing1556D/A1/75/062MF523
HOLOWAY, EdwardEnglefieldYeoman1561D/A1/76/087 D/A1/7/345MF524 MF10040
HOLOWAY, JohnFinchampstead1543D/A1/75/007 D/A1/1/010MF523 MF10041
HOLOWAY, JohnLambourn1568D/A1/167/138MF96000
HOLOWAY, JohnTilehurstHusbandman1572D/A1/76/147 D/A1/9/312MF524 MF10046
HOLOWAY, JohnTilehurst1574D/A1/193/231MF96045
HOLOWAYE, JohnPurley1556D/A1/2/251MF604
HOLT , JohnNew Windsor, WindsorBaker1624D/A1/78/166MF525
HOLTE, WilliamNew Windsor, Windsor1570D/A1/193/211 D/A1/167/142MF96045 MF96000