The 'Ethel Kelly' brick wall - advice please!

[MaryA]

From previous experience I can confirm what Hilary said is correct, they DO have copies of post 1858 Wills which they can look up and allow you to see.

[ZED]

Hi Mary,
I carried out an online search of the wills at the Leeds Probate Registry, and had 'hits' for both of the Kelly wills that I was interested in (1910 and 1955) ... so I assumed that's where they were stored.

I'm not quite sure how it works, but it's possible to see wills held by the Leeds Probate Registry for a fee of £10 each (I assume via a PDF document). It would be very handy if I could save £20 by going to Preston though!

[Hilary]

They definitely have wills copied in into books for post 1858 wills proved in Liverpool I just cannot remember the reference needed. I have used the books many times. I shall try and ring them tomorrow and get this sorted. They do have a lot of new staff but they shouldn't be giving out the wrong info.

I'll report back tomorrow hopefully.

[MaryA]

That's nice of you Hilary, I know it was yours and Kathryn's advice that made me make a second enquiry when I'd had my first rejected and you told me to ask for the "copy in the book".

So Zed, don't rush to spend your money, wait for Hilary's answer.

[ZED]

Thanks ever so much Hilary.

Yes, I'll wait Mary.
(Incidentally, if I go to Preston I'd be happy to do a 'look up' for someone else whilst I'm there).

[Hilary]

Sorry haven't managed to get in touch with Lancashire Archives but haven't forgotten about it. Where does the time go to?

Off to the help desk in Southport library at the Atkinson any minute.

[Hilary]

I've now spoken to the archives and this is the quick version. They are going to send me a more specific statement that we can add to our info and web site page.

Liverpool District Probate Registers (very large books)
Reference WLI

Available from 1874 to 1940 however some books are too fragile to produce.

Also they do not have every will in them that went to probate (this is the bit that will be clarified later)

Hope this helps and once I have the official version I will send it to Mary.

[ZED]

Many thanks for getting in touch with the R.O and providing that info, Hilary.

Incidentally, does anyone happen to know where (or even 'if') I might find a copy of a will dated 1858? The will is that of John Pope, who lived on Lime Street. (Rumour has it that the cash he bequeathed was from the proceeds of the sale of his property ... the land was required for the building of Lime St Station).

[Blue70]

John Pope's probate record mentions Letters of Administration granted to his sister Ellen McQuinn so I don't think there was a will. Maybe someone else can confirm whether I am correct or not in saying there will be no will.







Blue

[Hilary]

Blue is quite correct.

There was no will so the sister applied to administer her brother's estate. She could then have done what she liked with the estate. Unfortunately with no will there is no way of knowing if he owned property.

[ZED]

Many thanks for the Letters of Administration document, Blue ... that certainly puts a 'full stop' to a theory by some McQuinn descendants that John Pope left a small fortune that was never collected!
And thanks for confirming the situation, Hilary.

Now this may be a sheer coincidence, but this morning I received a letter from "Anglia Research" who claim to be "global experts in probate genealogy". (Although despite their expertise, they managed to spell my 'Zed-beginning' name incorrectly!)
They are apparently seeking "the extended family of the Greaves/Kelly family" ... apparently I MAY be entitled to a share in an unclaimed estate!
Greaves/Kelly are my paternal grandparents ... they weren't particularly wealthy, and as far as I've managed to ascertain they had just one direct descendant (my father) who duly inherited what small estate his parents left.
There's a lot of paperwork (plus of course, the inevitable contract that they'd like me to sign) ... so I'll wade through it, and report back if there's news of anything of interest!

Do these 'wind ups' happen often?!

[Blue70]

Anglia have an office in Southport so you could check them out in the flesh. Some of my distant relations are waiting on some money via Anglia. I was very sceptical at first but they later confirmed the person's identity as someone that we suspected might have left some unclaimed money. I think they're genuine.

http://www.angliaresearch.co.uk/


Blue

[MaryA]

They are apparently seeking "the extended family of the Greaves/Kelly family" ... apparently I MAY be entitled to a share in an unclaimed estate!

Now wouldn't that be lovely.

I hope this company is a legitimate heir hunting firm rather than wind up merchants, however you are probably enough of a sleuth to be able to discover who the deceased might be and make your own claim rather than paying them a share.

[ZED]

An unexpected windfall (of any size!) would be absolutely splendid, Mary!

The only 'missing' Kelly that I have is the 'brick wall' at the start of the thread: Ethel Kelly (my Grandmother's sister) so I really must get cracking with the research! (Anglia Research would take 24% of the inheritance). Having watched the 'Heir Hunters' TV prog, I guess my first step ought to be to check the Bona Vacantia list to see whether I can spot any familiar names.

NB: Seems odd that my brother hasn't received a similar letter though.