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
ADAM, RobertWaltham St Lawrence1559D/A1/35/070 D/A1/7/293MF459 MF10040
ADAM, ThomasCompton1540D/A1/5/073MF10043A
ADAM, ThomasCompton 1549D/A1/2/041MF603
ADAMES, AliceLetcombe Regis1621D/A1/36/080MF459
ADAMES, AnnWest Hanney1687D/A1/37/111MF460
ADAMES, ChristabelWallingford St Mary1639D/A1/36/164 D/A1/169/001aMF460 MF96002
ADAMES, HannahWest Shefford1722D/A1/38/54MF461
ADAMES, JohnEast HendredHusbandman1609D/A1/36/020 D/A1/15/006MF459 MF10065
ADAMES, RichardWest HanneyHusbandman1666D/A1/37/39MF460
ADAMES, WilliamEast Hanney, Hanney1596D/A1/173/054 D/A1/12/399MF96006 MF10048
ADAMS , Robert SnrFarnboroughYeoman1721D/A1/38/50MF461
ADAMS, AnnFarnborough1705D/A1/38/19MF461
ADAMS, AnnAbingdon1727D/A1/38/69MF461
ADAMS, AnneEast Hanney, West Hanney1662D/A1/37/17MF460
ADAMS, ChristopherMaidenhead, Cookham1597D/A1/173/059 D/A1/13/185MF96006 MF10049
ADAMS, DavidKennington, SunningwellYeoman1596D/A1/35/238 D/A1/12/379MF459 MF10048
ADAMS, EdithUffington1573D/A1/35/136 D/A1/9/357MF459 MF10046
ADAMS, ElizabethNewbury1806D/A1/144/5MF557
ADAMS, GeorgeWest SheffordHusbandman1616D/A1/36/042 D/A1/15/640MF459 MF10065
ADAMS, GeorgeWest Shefford1638D/A1/36/154MF460
ADAMS, HenryHarwellWeaver1700D/A1/174/113MF96008
ADAMS, IsaacDonnington, Shaw Cum DonningtonTimber Hewer1838D/A1/226/17MF96122
ADAMS, JamesKintburyGlazier1755D/A1/174/175MF96009
ADAMS, JamesMaidenhead, BrayInnholder1772D/A1/38/172MF461
ADAMS, JamesFaringdonGardener1855D/A1/144/82MF557
ADAMS, JoanMarcham1680D/A1/37/83MF460
ADAMS, JohnAbingdon1570D/A1/35/118 D/A1/9/185MF459 MF10046
ADAMS, JohnAston TirroldHusbandman1597D/A1/35/237 D/A1/13/061MF459 MF10049
ADAMS, JohnFyfieldHusbandman1606D/A1/36/008 D/A1/168/025MF459 MF96001
ADAMS, JohnAbingdon1606D/A1/168/004 D/A1/173/074MF96001 MF96006
ADAMS, JohnGreenham, ThatchamHusbandman1618D/A1/36/056 D/A1/15/791MF459 MF10065
ADAMS, JohnKintburyHusbandman1715D/A1/38/40MF461
ADAMS, JohnHamstead MarshallGardener1731D/A1/174/152MF96008
ADAMS, JohnAldermastonGlazier1740D/A1/174/159MF96008
ADAMS, JohnEast GarstonCordwainer1752D/A1/174/173MF96009
ADAMS, JohnWinkfieldYeoman1833D/A1/144/42MF557
ADAMS, JohnShellingfordCarpenter1834D/A1/144/44MF557
ADAMS, JohnCumnorFarmer1856D/A1/226/26MF96122
ADAMS, JosephLong WittenhamHusbandman1570D/A1/35/112 D/A1/9/196MF459 MF10046
ADAMS, MargaretDrayton1685D/A1/37/104MF460
ADAMS, MaryWest Shefford1701D/A1/38/6MF461
ADAMS, NicholasEast Hendred1600D/A1/35/265 D/A1/13/560MF459 MF10049
ADAMS, RichardKintbury1529D/A1/1/103MF10041
ADAMS, RichardAbingdon1551D/A1/4/011MF604
ADAMS, RichardReading St Giles1558D/A1/35/048 D/A1/7/190MF459 MF10040
ADAMS, RichardAbingdon Miller1659D/A1/37/4MF460
ADAMS, RobertLeckhampstead, ChieveleyYeoman1743D/A1/38/115MF461
ADAMS, RobertKintburyYeoman1746D/A1/174/166MF96009
ADAMS, RobertLeckhampstead, ChieveleyBlacksmith1816D/A1/144/22MF557
ADAMS, ThomasNorth MoretonYeoman1567D/A1/35/104a-b D/A1/9/068MF459 MF10046
ADAMS, ThomasHagbourne1577D/A1/7/144MF10040
ADAMS, ThomasCompton1587D/A1/35/201 D/A1/11/119MF459 MF10047B
ADAMS, ThomasCompton1593D/A1/35/225/1 D/A1/12/114MF459 MF10048
ADAMS, ThomasHagbourne1596D/A1/35/223MF459
ADAMS, ThomasWest SheffordServingman1697D/A1/37/133MF460
ADAMS, ThomasWest SheffordParish Clerk1740D/A1/38/109MF461
ADAMS, ThomasAldermaston1794D/A1/174/197MF96009
ADAMS, ThomasGreat CoxwellCarpenter, Farmer 1857D/A1/144/87MF557
ADAMS, WilliamKintburyVicar1528D/A1/1/065MF10041
ADAMS, WilliamEast Hanney, Hanney1587D/A1/35/192 D/A1/11/122MF459 MF10047B
ADAMS, WilliamFarnboroughHusbandman1613D/A1/36/030 D/A1/15/367MF459 MF10065
ADAMS, WilliamWest HanneyYeoman1680D/A1/37/87MF460
ADAMS, WilliamAbingdonInnholder1705D/A1/174/122MF96008
ADAMS, WilliamBucklandTailor1724D/A1/38/62MF461
ADCOCK, JohnEnborne1608D/A1/36/014 D/A1/14/468MF459 MF10064
ADCOCKE, AliceEnborne1573D/A1/35/138 D/A1/10/276MF459 MF10047A
ADCOKE, JohnEnborne1559D/A1/35/074 D/A1/8/059MF459 MF10043C
ADDAM, JohnChaddleworthHusbandman1618D/A1/36/057 D/A1/15/922MF459 MF10065
ADDAMES, JohnEast Hanney, West HanneyHusbandman1661D/A1/37/14MF460
ADDAMES, ThomasWaltham St Lawrence1552D/A1/4/012 D/A1/233/333 D/A1/5/156MF604 MF96132 MF10043A
ADDAMES, ThomasEast Hanney, West HanneyHusbandman1662D/A1/37/23MF460
ADDAMES, WilliamEast Hanney, West HanneyYeoman1671D/A1/37/53MF460
ADDAMS, JoanCompton1593D/A1/35/225/2 D/A1/12/093MF459 MF10048
ADDAMS, RebeccaEast Garston1707D/A1/38/24MF461
ADDAMS, RichardShinfieldHusbandman1641D/A1/36/171 D/A1/169/001aMF460 MF96002
ADDAMS, RichardEast Hanney, HanneyHusbandman1642D/A1/36/179MF460
ADDAMS, RichardBurghfieldCurate1647D/A1/36/193MF460
ADDAMS, RichardHarwellYeoman1663D/A1/37/30MF460
ADDAMS, RobertFarnboroughYeoman1673D/A1/37/59MF460
ADDAMS, Robert SnrNorth Moreton1604D/A1/35/269 D/A1/13/1306MF459 MF10049
ADDAMS, ThomasHagbourne1591D/A1/35/212. D/A1/12/022MF459 MF10048
ADDAMS, ThomasNew Windsor, WindsorTallow Chandler1690D/A1/37/116MF460
ADDAMS, Thomas JnrWindsor1678D/A1/37/77MF460
ADDERTON, NicholasAbingdonButcher1674D/A1/37/64MF460
ADDINGTON, ThomasNew Windsor, WindsorBarber Chirurgeon1666D/A1/37/41MF460
ADEAN, WilliamWallingfordCarpenter1705D/A1/174/121MF96008
ADEANE , John SnrWallingfordCarpenter1723D/A1/38/55MF461
ADEANE, JohnBishamHusbandman1559D/A1/35/051 D/A1/8/090MF459 MF10043C
ADEANE, RichardBasildonCurate1564D/A1/35/095 D/A1/8/309MF459 MF10043C
ADEANE, WilliamWallingford St PeterAlderman1553D/A1/35/027 D/A1/7/020MF459 MF10040
ADEANE, WilliamWallingfordTanner1646D/A1/174/029 D/A1/169/162MF96007 MF96002
ADEN, JohnNewburyBricklayer1679D/A1/37/81MF460
ADEN, MaryNewbury1694D/A1/37/126MF460
ADENE, JohnWallingford St PeterAlderman1554D/A1/35/032 D/A1/7/076MF459 MF10040
ADEY, JosephNewburyCoal Merchant1825D/A1/144/31MF557
ADKINES, OsmondWootton, CumnorTailor1607D/A1/36/010 D/A1/14/303MF459 MF10064
ADKINS, JaneWytham1790D/A1/38/198MF461
ADKINS, JeremiahWythamYeoman1715D/A1/38/42MF461
ADKINS, JeremiahWythamYeoman1777D/A1/38/180MF461
ADKINS, JoanEast Hanney, West Hanney1669D/A1/37/48MF460