Branching Out: Exploring Family History Through Pre-1858 Wills

Pre-1858 wills are among the richest and most revealing sources for family and local history research. They offer far more than the distribution of property, providing valuable insights into family relationships, friendships, occupations, social status, religious beliefs and the possessions that shaped everyday life. Wills and related probate records can help uncover the lives of ancestors while revealing the wider communities in which they lived.

This course introduces the pre-1858 probate system and equips learners with the skills to locate, read, transcribe and interpret surviving wills and related records with confidence. Focusing primarily on British research, the course explores accessible online catalogues and digitised collections, including resources from The National Archives and the National Library of Wales, demonstrating how these records can be used to enrich genealogical and historical research.

Through practical exercises, learners will develop essential skills in archival searching, palaeography, transcription, source evaluation and historical contextualisation. By the end of the course, learners will be able to use pre-1858 wills confidently to uncover new evidence, strengthen family connections and gain a deeper understanding of their ancestors' lives and the society in which they lived.

This online course lets you study from home while connecting with a vibrant virtual community of fellow learners. The course is delivered through Blackboard, our online learning environment, and any live sessions will be hosted via Teams. It can be studied as a stand-alone course, and it is also an optional module for the Certificate of Higher Education in Genealogical Studies at Aberystwyth University.

Note

This module is at CQFW Level 4