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.

Name	Place Name	Occupation	Year	BRO Ref	MF Copy
HISSEY , John Snr	Longworth	Yeoman	1729	D/A1/84/75	MF529
HISSEY , John Snr	Longworth	Yeoman	1766	D/A1/85/54	MF530
HISSEY, Edmund	Carswell Marsh, Buckland	Yeoman	1622	D/A1/78/142	MF525
HISSEY, Elizabeth	Hinton Waldrist	Husbandman	1691	D/A1/209/90	MF96083
HISSEY, John	Carswell Marsh, Buckland	Husbandman	1660	D/A1/196/103	MF96051
HISSEY, John	Hinton Waldrist	Yeoman	1696	D/A1/83/31	MF528
HISSEY, John	Longworth	Farmer	1819	D/A1/153/64	MF560
HISSEY, Mary	Longworth		1825	D/A1/153/95	MF560
HISSEY, Mary	Longworth		1844	D/A1/154/61	MF580
HISSEY, Richard	Denchworth	Yeoman	1651	D/A1/80/059	MF526
HISSEY, Richard	Carswell Marsh, Buckland	Yeoman	1662	D/A1/80/110	MF527
HISSEY, Richard	Longworth		1830	D/A1/153/116	MF560
HISSEY, Richard	Longworth		1838	D/A1/154/24	MF580
HISSEY, Robert	Buckland	Husbandman	1618	D/A1/195/067	MF96049
HISSEY, Robert	Buckland	Yeoman	1618	D/A1/186/111/2	MF96029
HISSEY, Robert	Buckland		1618	D/A1/168/147	MF96001