References to American Colonists in English Wills

England England Probate Records

Wills in England are often used by Americans to trace the origins of their colonial ancestors. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, several scholars read Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills seeking references to American colonists. Genealogists are now investigating other probate courts for these references. Here is a list of wills that have been read:

Essex

• 1605-1665 - Archdeaconry Court of Essex. Read by Leslie Mahler.

London

• 1621-1625 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 24, FHL film 94106. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1626-1629 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 25, FHL film 94107. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1629-1634 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 26, FHL film 94108. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1634-1639 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 27, FHL film 94109. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1639-1643 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 28, FHL film 94110. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1643 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 29, FHL film 94110. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1645-1656 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 29, FHL film 94111. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1665 - Commissary Court of London, Registered Wills, Volume 32, FHL film 94112. Read by Leslie Mahler.

Middlesex

• 1622-1642, 1660-1667 - Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. Read by Leslie Mahler.

Norfolk

• 1600-1648 - Archdeaconry Court of Norfolk. Read by Leslie Mahler.
• 1600-1651 - Consistory Court of Norwich. Read by Leslie Mahler.