Hi all Well, after a couple of puzzled enquiries off-list re. Wills, it struck me that there are a number of reasonably new researchers (and some also of intermediate-term) who are not aware of how the online FH library catalog works, especially regarding probate. I am hoping, therefore, that this might sink in to some of us long-term researchers and helpers, that we sometimes assume queries from folks on this list come from those who are familiar with the IGI, the Ancestral File, and finally and most importantly, the Family History Library Catalog. Not so, apparently. Perhaps after a decade or so of dedicated researching we become somewhat blase and sort of accept "well, they know that, surely!" -- seems that in many instances, they do not, God bless them. Time, perhaps, to walk in someone else's shoes and look at this from a beginner's point of view. Regarding Probate microfilms available through the LDS folk and their information online at www.familysearch.org when you reach this page, in the yellow bar at the top, click into library (they keep changing things!) another screen will come up, click into Family History Library Catalog, just below Library on the long blue bar. Now you have eight options to choose from. Select place name and click on that. In the rectangle that comes up for "Place," type Shropshire. On the next screen click on "England, Shropshire." Now you see it, don't you, a great list of available records from Archives & Libraries down to Probate records, and if you click on the next page (view next set of matching topics) there is more, down to Voting Registers. Taxation is a very interesting one to click into. That could provide some answers! You long-term researchers ought to seriously look at this. I found a few things, believe it. Anyway, going back to the first page of Probate records, click in on this and an index of available records shows. From there you will have to select what you want, i.e. which Diocese, either St. Asaph, Hereford, or Lichfield (Shropshire was divided up into the three Diocese). I realise this page can be a little confusing, but go for Original Wills, etc., and click on them. A hundred or more microfilms will come up in some instances! You need to know the Diocese your parish was within at the time of the Will, so give me an email and ask. There were also Peculiar (individual) Courts of probate, such as St. Mary's Shrewsbury, Albrighton near Shrewsbury, Albrighton near Shifnall, Ashford Carbonell, Bridgenorth, Prees, Wombridge. So, if you are looking for a will in those districts, you need to check out the Peculiar probate records as well as the Diocese ones. There were also some courts administered by the Lord of the Manor, such as Astley Abbots, Buildwas, Longdon Upon Tern, Welshampton, and again Wombridge. Confused? Me too. Regarding the Peculiars (we are talking prior to 1858 here) these were parishes that were situated within one archdeaconary or diocese but were (perhaps unfortunately) under the jurisdiction of another archdeacon or a bishop nearby. Some folks held lands that spread across two jurisdictions, so that complicated things even more. Your ancestor's Will might have been proved in a local Peculiar Court, or even out into the Diocese. Step 1. Know your parish Step 2. Know the Diocese your parish was located in Step 3. If a Peculiar, then check out the availability of those records Step 4. Find the microfilm number for the year or years you want Step 5. Order in the microfilm at one of your local LDS FH centres. I do hope this has been of some help to all. If anything needs clarifying (as it always does) please feel free to email me off-list (or even on-list as long as this does not contravene ENG L Shropshire regs) and I shall be very pleased to help. And just in case some don't know LDS means Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) FH means Family History. Go for it! Happy Easter to all Cherrio Graham Melbourne Oz