Hello Nancy, You are quite right in saying that probate was usually granted within a short time after the decease of the Testator. However, it was not uncommon for Wills to remain unproved of a husband until after the death of his widow.Occasionally you will get two Wills, both proved at the same time of a husband and wife even though one of them may have died several years earlier. Sometimes you also get cases where only a percentage of the estate has been proved and letters of administration have been applied for a later date with the Will annexed. This can also be the case where one or more of the executors are unavailable to carry out their duty. The power is then reserved for them to apply at a later date whilst limited powers are granted to those that are available to carry out their duty. Have you checked details of the grant (usually written by the Court at the end of the Will. This can sometimes give the date the Testator died. If this isn't written on the end, you might have a copy which was made to include in the deeds of some premises. If this is the case, write to the appropriate Record Office and have a copy of the original one done - you might find some more details on that! Regards, Trevor Littleton

Hi Trevor, Thanks for the reply. No this Will doesn't have the usual bit at the bottom that includes the death date. Thanks for the info and ideas to consider. Nancy

There is currently a thread on this very subject on the newsgroup soc.genealogy.britain Some of you may want to check out the reply by Eve McLaughlin. Chris chris@dickinson.uk.net