29,525
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
The following information is available on To obtain a copy of a will indexed in the above FIBIS Search database.*[http://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=153&s_id=139 Bengal Wills in resources you have the India Office Records] 1780 to 1866 Complete, 1867-1909 surnames beginning ‘A’ only. *[http://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=158&s_id=139 Officers Wills in the India Office Records] an index and extract from the IOR series L/AG/34/30/30. The wills of only 37 officers are included. They cover all three presidencies over the years 1831 to 1875*[http://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=13&s_id=30 Administration Act Books] Administrations relating to India 1764 to 1857*[httpfollowing options://www.search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=14&s_id=30 Limited Administration Act Books] relating to India 1830 to 1839
If you want to obtain a copy of a will that you have found a reference for in FIBIS’s transcriptions, you will need to visit or contact the ==Records==The [[British Library]], or order a LDS film (refer below) or LDS photocpy, details webpage [[Family History Centres|here]]https://web.archive. This India List [org/web/20180825042415/http://archiverwww.rootswebbl.ancestry.comuk/reshelp/thfindhelpregion/readasia/INDIAindia/2010-03indiaofficerecordsfamilyhistory/1267970970 post dated 3willsandadministrations/2010willsadmin.html Wills and Administration] is (now archived) lists sources in respect of obtaining a copy of a will from the [[British LibraryIndia Office Records]].
[http://www.fibis.org/membership.htm FIBIS members] can also take advantage of the FIBIS research service to obtain a photocopy of a microfilmed will from the [[British Library]] (and, indeed, details from other The records ) where a reference has been found on the website. A search can also be made for willsinclude Wills, probates , administrations and inventories of estates of persons who died in India and Burma '''IOR/L/AG/34/29''' which may not yet be listed on the site. Members should contact the research coinclude* Bengal wills '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/4-ordinator 184''' Calcutta Supreme/High Court* Madras wills and administrations '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/185- [mailto:research@fibis.org research@fibis.org] 340''' Madras Supreme/High Court* Bombay wills and administrations '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/341- for details of this service.380''' Bombay Supreme/High Court
==Records==The [[British Library]] webpage These records, with images, are available for download on the [http://www.blawin1.uk/reshelp/findhelpregion/asia/india/indiaofficerecordsfamilyhistory/willsandadministrationscom/willsadminawclick.html Wills and Administration] lists sources in the [[India Office Records]php?mid=2114&id=201071 findmypast]website.
The records include [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059Note that if you are searching for a person who lived outside of Calcutta and the other capitals, up-iorlag_4&cid=1-60#1-60 Willscountry, probatesin the Mofussil, administrations and inventories they will probably be found in the records of estates of persons who died in India and Burma the District Courts, not the Supreme Courts. The record series is '''IOR/L/AG/34/2931'''] which include*[http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/The District Court recordsstart from 1865.aspx?cat=059-iorlag_4&cid=1-60-2#1-60-2 Bengal The only information available in relation to wills '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/4-184'''] Calcutta Supreme/High proved in District Courts are the summaries of grants made which are contained in the District Court*[http://wwwCalendars of Probate.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=059-iorlag_4&cid=1-60-3#1-60-3 Unlike wills proved in the Supreme Courts at Calcutta, Madras and Bombay, copies of the actual wills and administrations '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/185-340'''] Madras Supreme/High Court*[http://wwwwere not sent to the India Office in London.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/These recordsdo NOT appear to have been digitised by FindMy Past, but are available on [[FamilySearch]] digitised microfilm, refer below.aspx?cat=059-iorlag_4&cid=1-60-4#1-60-4 Bombay At this point (December 2009) it appears most likely that the Indian Courts, rather than Regional State Archives in India would be most likely to hold the probated wills , if copies still exist. Details of both these sources may be found in [[Indian Libraries and administrations '''IOR/L/AG/34/29/341-380'''Archives]] Bombay Supreme/High Court.
Note that if you are searching for a person Some wills proved in England relate to persons with links to India or, indeed, those who lived outside of Calcutta have actually died in India. Maybe property was held at home and abroad and the other capitals, up-countrytherefore, in the Mofussil, they will probably be found was proved in the records of the District Courtsboth places. Where this happened before 1858, not read the Supreme Courts. The District Court records start from 1865, as explained in this National Archives guide [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2ahelp-with-your-research/records.aspx?cat=059research-guides/wills-or-iorlag_4&cid=1administrations-65#1before-65 summary of L/AG1858/34 contentsWills or administrations before 1858]. This Rootsweb India List Both Ancestry and [[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2009-10/1256029313 threadfindmypast]] advises that the only information available in relation contain databases relating to wills proved in District Courts are prior to 1858. In Ancestry the summaries of grants made which databases are contained located in the District Court Calendars of Probate. Unlike wills proved collection Wills, Probates, Land, Tax & Criminal, while in findmypast the Supreme Courts at Calcuttadatabases are located in Birth, Madras and BombayMarriage, copies of the actual wills were not sent to the India Office in LondonDeath & Parish Records/Wills & probate. At this point (December 2009) it appears most likely Note that the Indian CourtsAncestry images, rather than Regional State Archives which are done in India would be most likely grey-scales are considered much clearer to hold read than the probated willsNational Archives images, if copies still exist. Details of which are available both these sources may be found only in [[Indian Libraries black and Archives]]white.<ref> Link no longer accessible. AdrianB38. "Need help in deciphering handwriting on will" ''Who Do You Think You Are? Forum'' February 07, 2017.<nowiki>http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/forum/topic14597.html#p51110</nowiki></ref>
Some wills proved in For the period from 1858, [http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904 England relate to persons with links to India or& Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), indeed1858-1966, 1973-1995] is those who have actually died available through Ancestry.co.uk. Note there are a few gaps in Indiarecords. Maybe property was held at home and abroad [[Findmypast]] also has two related datasets of these Index records called "Probate Calendars Of England & Wales 1858-1959" and"Probate Calendars Of England & Wales 1858-1959 - Browse", located under Birth, thereforeMarriage, the Death & Parish Records/ Wills & probate.<br>If you wish to order a copy of a will was proved or grant mentioned in both places. Where this happened before 1858 collection, you can do so for a will held in the British Library may also be mirrored in the Documents Online section of the National Archives website – fee, online from where it can be downloaded at nominal cost. [httphttps://wwwprobatesearch.nationalarchivesservice.gov.uk/documentsonline/willsdeathduties#calendar Find a will: GOV.asp National ArchivesUK], where you can search for the will or probate of any person in the UK who died between 1858 and 1996, and then order a copy online. Currently (March 2016) the website is a “Beta” (not finalized) version, and the Search appears inadequate. It is recommended that you find details from findmypast or Ancestry, then use the details to locate the record on GOV.UK, from where you can complete the details for an online request for the will.
[http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1904 Keep in mind that men who retired in India, and their families, could remain in India, or return to the UK (England & , Scotland Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and AdministrationsIreland), 1861-1941] is now available through Ancestry.co.uk. Note there are a few gaps inrecords. If you wish or relocate to order a copy of a will or grant mentioned , and eventually die, anywhere in this collectionthe world, you can do so for a fee from the Principal Probate Registry or any district probate registryincluding Australia, or you can make a request by mailNew Zealand etc. Read how Areas close to do this in the UK which were popular with retirees include [[http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1176.htm Guide to obtaining probate records from 1858 in England French|France]] and Wales] by Her Majesty’s Courts Service (HMCS) part of the Ministry of Justice (MoJ)Channel Islands including Jersey.
This India List ==Also see==*[http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/INDIA/2011[British Army#Soldiers’ wills|British Army -01/1295666073 postSoldiers’ wills]] advises that contemporary newspapers are a good source of information, and mentions ''The Times'' (London}
Wills may be ==External links==*[http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=2114&id=201071 findmypast] Pay website.*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/results?count=20&query=%2Bkeywords%3AProbate%20%2Bkeywords%3AIndia&page=1&availability=Online Digitised FamilySearch microfilms - a list obtained by a means keyword search (probate India)] of tracing family links through filmed India Office records in the beneficaries named[[LDS]] (Mormon) FamilySearch catalogue. This Also see [[FamilySearch Centres]].**Note in particular [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/159352 Calendars of probate, 1865-1936] India List . District Courts*[https://web.archive.org/web/20210120164645/http://archiverwww.rootswebsog.ancestryorg.comuk/thlearn/readhelp-getting-started-with-genealogy/INDIA/2009guide-12five/1261146747 postSociety of Genealogists: Guide Four: Probate Records] says “I have a will from Bengal dated 1813 Edited and updated by Else Churchill and Geoff Swinfield, latest update 2020, now archived:[https://web.archive.org/web/20200715051014/http://www.sog.org.uk/uploads/Gillian_Stevens_and_Chad_Hanna_-Wills_and_Where_to_Find_Them.pdf Wills and Where to find them in which an ancestor of mine named his brotherEngland and Wales] by Gillian Stevens and Chad Hanna sog.org.uk. now archived, [https://web.archive.org/web/20210225135221/http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/who-do-you-think-you-are-2013-inspeakers-law as a beneficiaryhandouts/ from upload] 2013, now archived. That '''Note''': some information may have changed, see 2020 link, but some information is the only clue I have still valid.*[http://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=554&407 Wills & Testaments] ScotlandsPeople scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Free to search, pay to view. Scottish wills.*[http://www.willcalendars.nationalarchives.ie/search/cwa/home.jsp Calendars of Wills and Administrations 1858 – 1920] National Archives of Ireland. Irish wills. Free records.*[http://catalogue.jerseyheritage.org Jersey Heritage: Archives & Collections Online] Includes wills for persons with connections to his wife's identity”India, as Jersey was popular with retirees from India. Download of an image requires either an annual subscription, or pay per view.
{{#widget:Google PlusOne
|size=small
|count=true
}}
→External Links
==FIBIS resources==
*[http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=153&s_id=139 Bengal Wills in the India Office Records] 1780 to 1866 Complete, 1867-1909 surnames beginning ‘A’ only.
*[http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=158&s_id=139 Officers Wills in the India Office Records] an index and extract from the IOR series L/AG/34/30/30. The wills of only 37 officers are included. They cover all three presidencies over the years 1831 to 1875
*[http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=13&s_id=30 Administration Act Books] Administrations relating to India 1764 to 1857
*[http://fibis.ourarchives.online/bin/aps_browse_sources.php?mode=browse_components&id=14&s_id=30 Limited Administration Act Books] relating to India 1830 to 1839
*Sylvia Murphy, "Some Sources of Probate and Estate Records for India," ''FIBIS Journal'', No 8 (Autumn 2002). For details of how to access this article online, see [[FIBIS Journals]].
===Obtaining a copy of a will===
* Copies of British India Office Wills & Probate 1774-1948 are available from [http://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?mid=2114&id==Obtaining 201071 Findmypast] (pay website)* Contact the [[British Library]]. A charge applies for a copy of a record, unless you visit personally.* View a digitised FamilySearch microfilm (refer below). Free source if viewed at [[Family History Centres]]. Currently (2020/11) also available at Family Search Affiliate Libraries, '''some''' of which may charge visitor fees for non members. However, for many people Findmypast may be geographically more convenient.* [http://www.fibis.org/membership.htm FIBIS members] can also take advantage of the FIBIS research service to obtain a photocopy of a microfilmed will===from the [[British Library]] (and, indeed, details from other records ) where a reference has been found on the website. A search can also be made for wills, probates and inventories which may not yet be listed online. Members should contact the research co-ordinator - [mailto:research@fibis.org research@fibis.org] - for details of this service.
==External LinksReferences==*[http:<references//www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&keyword=+Probate+India&prekeyword=+Probate+India Microfilms in the Family History Library] - a list obtained by a keyword search ('probate, India') of filmed India Office records in the [[LDS]] (Mormon) Family History Library Catalogue.*[http://www.sog.org.uk/uploads/Gillian_Stevens_and_Chad_Hanna_-Wills_and_Where_to_Find_Them.pdf Wills and Where to find them in England and Wales] by Gillian Stevens and Chad Hanna sog.org.uk [http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/who-do-you-think-you-are-2013-speakers-handouts/ upload] 2013>
[[Category:Records]]
[[Category:Research methods]]
