Wills
Wills at the Record Office
We keep copies of old wills for people who lived on the Isle of Wight or in Hampshire. These wills were proved (made official) in local church courts.
You can:
- search for a will by personal name, place, or job using our microfiche index (1571–1858)
- book an appointment with us to use the microfiche to view wills
- find other wills in family or solicitor papers in our collections
Wills we hold on microfiche:
The Record Office keeps microfiche copies of wills proved in the:
- Archdeacon’s Court Diocese of Winchester 1587 to 1653, 1660 to 1857
- Bishop’s/Consistory Court, Diocese of Winchester 1600 to 1635, 1660 to 1741.
These wills relate to people residing in the Isle of Wight or Hampshire. A microfiche index (1571 to 1858) is available arranged by personal name, place name and occupation.
A complete set of these wills can be consulted at the Hampshire Record Office
Other wills in our collections:
In addition, copies of wills for various dates can be found among family, estate and solicitors papers deposited in the record office. These wills can be located by searching either the Personal Names Index or Place Index in the search room.
Where to find other wills
For pre-1600 and post-1858 wills: contact the Hampshire Record Office, Sussex Street, Winchester. Hampshire Record Office website
Post-1858 wills to present day: GOV.UK: Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales)
Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills: The complete series of wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (from 1384 to 1857) is available to be searched online at The National Archives Discovery.