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
RAFFE, JohnPeasemoreHusbandman1553D/A1/110/127MF535
RAFFE, MargaretPeasemore1560D/A1/111/004 D/A1/6/072MF535 MF10043B
RAGGAT, ThomasYattendon1557D/A1/210/154MF96088
RAINOLDES, AliceAldworth1605D/A1/111/143 D/A1/14/092MF536 MF10064
RAINOLDES, JaneWallingford St Peter1559D/A1/8/017MF10043C
RAINOLDES, JohnWest Hagbourne, HagbourneHusbandman1604D/A1/111/137 D/A1/13/1243MF536 MF10049
RAINOLDES, RobertReading1559D/A1/210/165MF96088
RAINOLDES, ThomasUffingtonYeoman1593D/A1/111/102 D/A1/12/097MF535 MF10048
RAINSFORD, RobertReading St MaryYeoman1576D/A1/210/190MF96088
RAKESTRAWE, JohnWallingford1591D/A1/210/208MF96088
RAKESTRAWE, JohnWallingford1591D/A1/11/377MF10047B
RALF, John1553D/A1/5/207MF10043A
RALPH, Joseph StanmoreEast IlsleyFarmer 1841D/A1/231/20MF96129
RALPH, Joseph StanmoreEast IlsleyFarmer1845D/A1/231/23MF96129
RALPH, Joseph StanmoreEast IlsleyFarmer1845D/A1/231/23MF96129
RAME, RobertNew Windsor, WindsorShoemaker1594D/A1/111/104 D/A1/12/147MF535 MF10048
RAMSBOTTOM, JohnReading1840D/A1/161/43MF583
RAMSEY, WilliamSutton CourtenayYeoman1853D/A1/161/64MF583
RANCE, EdwardMaidenheadInnholder1668D/A1/211/51MF96090
RANCE, EdwardAbingdonVictualler1766D/A1/114/46MF537
RANCE, GeorgeShottesbrookeHusbandman1697D/A1/211/99MF96091
RANCE, Goeing (Admon.), Goen (Inv.)Newbury (Admon.), SpeenHusbandman, Innholder1684D/A1/211/74MF96091
RANCE, JaneStratfield Mortimer1806D/A1/231/3MF96129
RANCE, JohnSpeenhamland, SpeenHusbandman1669D/A1/113/28MF536
RANCE, NicholasCookhamHusbandman1664D/A1/113/13MF536
RANCE, SarahMaidenhead1712D/A1/113/131MF537
RANCE, ThomasMaidenheadWheeler1686D/A1/211/76MF96091
RANCE, ThomasAbingdonMillwright1706D/A1/113/117MF537
RANCE, Walter SnrWhite WalthamYeoman1698D/A1/113/102MF31702
RANDALL, AliceShellingford1549D/A1/4/130 D/A1/5/066MF604 MF10043A
RANDALL, AliceShellingford1549D/A1/233/343MF96132
RANDALL, AliceReading St Laurence1630D/A1/211/004MF96090
RANDALL, BenjaminWhite WalthamYeoman1834D/A1/161/34MF583
RANDALL, EdwardShinfieldTurner1719D/A1/113/149MF537
RANDALL, ElizabethNewbury1856D/A1/231/30MF96129
RANDALL, GeorgeMaidenhead, BrayHusbandman1561D/A1/111/013MF535
RANDALL, GeorgeCookham1830D/A1/231/16MF96129
RANDALL, HenryReading St LaurenceYeoman, Flax Dresser1625D/A1/112/054MF536
RANDALL, HenryMaidenhead, BrayHusbandman1639D/A1/112/118MF536
RANDALL, Henry SnrMaidenheadYeoman1632D/A1/112/082MF536
RANDALL, JohnShinfield1533D/A1/1/260MF10042
RANDALL, JohnSwallowfield1552D/A1/4/137 D/A1/5/175MF604 MF10043A
RANDALL, JohnSwallowfield1552D/A1/233/404MF96132
RANDALL, JohnNew Windsor, WindsorChandler1698D/A1/113/103MF31702
RANDALL, KatherineShinfield1621D/A1/112/044MF536
RANDALL, RichardLong Wittenham1559D/A1/210/163MF96088
RANDALL, RichardHurley1567D/A1/210/178MF96088
RANDALL, RichardHurley1567D/A1/167/133MF96000
RANDALL, RogerKintburyMiller1790D/A1/114/78MF537
RANDALL, ThomasHurley1531D/A1/1/156MF10042
RANDALL, ThomasBrayHusbandman1581D/A1/210/197MF96088
RANDALL, ThomasBray1581D/A1/10/260MF10047A
RANDALL, ThomasReading St LaurenceCarpenter1626D/A1/112/063MF536
RANDALL, WilliamHurley1559D/A1/110/148 D/A1/7/324MF535 MF10040
RANDALL, WilliamReading St LaurenceFlax Dresser1639D/A1/211/012 D/A1/169/078MF96090 MF96002
RANDALL, WilliamCookhamHusbandman1640D/A1/211/014 D/A1/169/078MF96090 MF96002
RANDALL, William SnrShinfieldYeoman1707D/A1/113/118MF537
RANDAULL, EdwardShinfieldHusbandman1613D/A1/112/006 D/A1/15/413MF536 MF10065
RANDE, JohnNewburyWeaver1586D/A1/210/203 D/A1/11/077MF96088 MF10047B
RANDELL, FrancesAbingdon1792D/A1/114/79MF537
RANDELL, JohnNewburyFelt Maker1686D/A1/113/74MF536
RANDELL, RichardShinfield1553D/A1/4/134 D/A1/5/200MF604 MF10043A
RANDOLE, WilliamHurleyYeoman1587D/A1/111/078 D/A1/11/095MF535 MF10047B
RANDOLL, JohnHurley1575D/A1/210/189MF96088
RANDOLL, JohnBrayHusbandman1648D/A1/112/141MF536
RANDOLL, MargaretShinfield1545D/A1/110/115 D/A1/5/019MF535 MF10043A
RANDOLL, RichardShinfield1553D/A1/233/402MF96132
RANDOLL, SibylHurley1597D/A1/111/113 D/A1/13/052MF535 MF10049
RANDOLL, ThomasShinfieldHusbandman1593D/A1/111/098 D/A1/12/058MF535 MF10048
RANDOLL, WilliamSwallowfieldHusbandman1611D/A1/111/174 D/A1/15/133MF536 MF10065
RANDOLL, WilliamBurghfieldHusbandman1644D/A1/112/139MF536
RANGER, IsabellaNewbury1846D/A1/161/49MF583
RANKELL , Peter SnrCumnor1725D/A1/211/131MF96091
RANKELL, HenryBotley, OxfordshireYeoman1714D/A1/113/138MF537
RANKELL, PeterBotley, Cumnor1665D/A1/113/18MF536
RANKELL, WilliamCumnorVictualler1733D/A1/211/136MF96091
RANNAKER, LawrenceWest Challow, Letcombe RegisHusbandman1547D/A1/210/147MF96088
RANSFORD, RachelBuckland1761D/A1/211/156MF96091
RANYARD, BenjaminReadingExciseman1746D/A1/114/17MF537
RAPLEY, JohnWinkfieldYeoman1742D/A1/211/145MF96091
RAPLIE, ThomasSwallowfieldClothier1558D/A1/110/142 D/A1/8/009MF535 MF10043C
RASTALL, RichardThatcham1570D/A1/111/028 D/A1/9/193MF535 MF10046
RASTOLL, JohnThatcham1572D/A1/111/039 D/A1/9/333MF535 MF10046
RASTOLL, RichardBucklebury1566D/A1/111/017 D/A1/9/020MF535 MF10046
RATCLIFFE, AliceNewbury1641D/A1/211/017 D/A1/169/078MF96090 MF96002
RATCLIFFE, WilliamNew Windsor, WindsorTurner1676D/A1/113/47MF536
RATFORD, JohnBrayWeaver1627D/A1/112/068MF536
RATHBAND, FrancisChieveleyCarpenter1744D/A1/114/13MF537
RATHELL, JohnHampstead Norreys1591D/A1/210/207 D/A1/11/374MF96088 MF10047B
RATHILL, JohnWallingford1797D/A1/211/174MF96091
RATHILL, MaryWallingford1778D/A1/114/63MF537
RATLIFE, JohnNewburyCloth Worker1623D/A1/210/255MF96089
RATLIFE, WilliamNewburyTailor1612D/A1/210/238 D/A1/168/091MF96089 MF96001
RATTY, JamesAmesbury, Wiltshire1812D/A1/231/9MF96129
RATU, EdmundEast Hendred1558D/A1/210/153 D/A1/167/099MF96088 MF96000
RAULINSON, RobertClewer1603D/A1/13/1019MF10049
RAUNCE, NicholasHurleyHusbandman1597D/A1/111/117 D/A1/13/196MF535 MF10049
RAVYS, IsabelWallingford St Peter1629D/A1/112/070MF536
RAVYS, RogerWallingford St PeterInnholder1624D/A1/112/058MF536
RAW, RichardWinterbourne, Chieveley1539D/A1/210/143MF96088