Where can I view old wills?

[HGKinsey]

It has come to my attention that ancestors of mine have made wills (from the 18th & 19th century). I would be interested to see & read them, however they are not in the keeping of any family members. How can I track them down? Is there any chance that they will be kept somewhere?

[molly]

If you're looking at Scottish wills you can buy them on line from here, though not a lot of help if your'e looking elsewhere, sorry. http://www.scottishdocuments.com/content/default.a
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[molly]

Have just found another site that may be more useful to you http://www.documentsonline.pro.gov.uk/about.asp

[incitatus]

I think this comes under the chancery. so old documents may be kept there. but your best bet for old ones, or historically important ones is the public records office in Kew. Get off at Kew station on the district line and walk to it.

[bennynorules]

Wills used to be kept at Somerset House - I certainly have looked at wills from 1837 there many times. Before that date I think they are kept in the public records office in Chancery Lane. This info may be a little out of date - it was correct 7 years ago. Good Luck.

[bennynorules]

I gave you wrong info. A quick search has come up with this: Wills (from 1858): The Probate Department, First Avenue House, 42-49 High Holborn, London, WC1V 6NP. Telephone: [phone]. http://www.courtservice.gov.uk/cms/3800.htm Wil
ls (before 1858): The Public Record Office (PRO) holds copies of some wills from before 1858, but by no means all. The records held by the PRO can be seen at Kew as well as at the Family Records Centre - see below. Other records are held by County Record Offices. Public Record Office, Ruskin Avenue, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU. Telephone: [phone]. www.pro.gov.uk