Wills Workshop
This workshop will give you a solid basis for researching wills and probate records in England and Wales. Much of this will apply throughout the English-speaking world. You will learn:
- What a will is and why people make them, plus what happens if you don’t.
- Where to find post-1858 central government probate records and pre-1858 probate records proved in Church courts.
- How probate accounts and inventories can help.
- How death duty records can help locate and update will information.
- What happens when a will is contested in Chancery courts.
This interactive workshop is spread across two sessions one week apart. The second session will allow time for students to bring up some specific questions relating to their research.
Two sessions – 8 and 15 April, both 7 – 9.30pm.
Pre-booking is required.
To enjoy this workshop you will need a computer device which has speakers and a microphone. Ideally, also a web-cam. You also need to be able to access your emails from it. First-time users of Zoom will be asked to download a small piece of software. For technical help email: booking@berksfhs.org.ukÂ
To book, scroll down.
Date
- Tue 08 Apr 2025
Time
- 19:00 - 21:30
Tickets
- £20.00
Organiser
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The Centre - Berkshire FHS
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Email
booking@berksfhs.org.uk -
Website
https://berksfhs.org/branches/
Speakers
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Chad HannaChad is a highly experienced family historian, having been in and out of Record Offices since the 1970s. He has honed his understanding of family history at conferences in both the UK and the USA. Chad has a one-name study of his mother’s Failes family who arrived in England as the Fenlands were being drained in the late 17th century. He has also made some headway with his father’s Irish ancestry.
Chad has a particular interest in both probate and electoral records, and also has a deep understanding of records produced by family history societies, having worked professionally for the Federation of Family History Societies for eight years using his skills as a computer professional. He holds a BSc(Eng) in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Imperial College and a City and Guilds Certificate in High Education teaching.
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Gillian StevensA veteran family historian, Gillian has worked closely with the Federation of Family History Societies, Findmypast and The National Archives enabling her to build an impressive experience of archives and their accessibility. She is an experienced tutor of beginner family history courses and also runs workshops for more experienced researchers on family history websites and wills and probate, to name but a few.
Gillian has a degree in Business Studies and a City and Guilds Certificate in Further Education teaching. She has served regular five year terms as a trustee of Berkshire Family History Society since 2007 and chairs the society’s Computer Branch. She also facilitates discussion in an informal monthly natter group and helps researchers who require more technical assistance with their family history research as part of a ‘Tuesday evening team’.