Thread: death duties / probate?

does anyone know how i would find out what death duties or probate was charged or whether i can find out if someone had a will.



I dont know where to start looking.



I have 'Harry Ambrose Mansell' b 8 oct 1857 - he died on 14th October 1929 @ 230 High Street, Homerton, London - aged 72,





the story goes that he was a TOFF, he apparently had won the football pools or lottery of those days and gave up work. He used to walk around the streets of london in a top hat and tail with a cane. It must have been after 1901 as his occupation is recorded as a Road foreman in the census - prior to that he was an clerk. when he died his children were in their 30's. They had never worked in their life and again paraded the streets of london as Toffs but when the father died the money went on death duties and the 4 boys had to go out and get jobs which was a bit of a shock to them.



I have contacted the Football Pools history and they say that there is no record of winnings from around that time. I have searched A2A archives and can find nothing. I was wondering if anyone knows where his will might be and if he did not have a will what would have happened and wanted to know if any records might exist to help me prove this family story.



any ideas?



thanks for reading my rambling - would appreciate any advice...

regards

lisa

Hi Lisa

Have a look at www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/familyhistory/wills for guidelines- post for further help if necessary

Gillian

Hi Lisa



You might find it recorded in the National Calendar of wills and admons from the Principle Probate Registry. A number of Local Record Offices hold these. The last time I looked at these was back in 1981 when I was in Gloucester when I recorded my Grandfathers Probate in 1947.



Good Luck

David