World Archives Project: Kent, England, Tyler Index to Wills, 1490-1800

{{#widget:Iframe|url=http://mw-1085123956.us-east-1.elb.amazonaws.com/wiki/extensions/awapwidgets/widget_side.php?projectID=32521%7Cwidth=330%7Cheight=1200%7Cborder=0}}

View Sample Image

About this project

This collection contains abstracts of wills as well as originals, collected by Frank Watt Tyler over many years. Most of the wills relate to individuals from East Kent and date from the 15th century up to the 19th century.

Need help keying this project?

World Archives Keying Standards
Discussion Page
Records - UK Message Board

Project-specific sample images and form field help:

Choose a sample image from below to see the corresponding form field examples.
Will
Other with Names

Will

http://c.mfcreative.com/i/akt/projecthelp/32521/31854_A012501-00057.jpg
This form type should be used for both original wills and abstracts of wills from which names will be keyed. Since names will only be keyed from the first page of a will or abstract, only first pages should be classified as such. Subsequent pages should be classified as "Cover page, Section header, etc."

Here is an example of how a will page should be keyed.

Given

Key the first name or initial and any middle names of the testator (the person whose will it is), and the beneficiaries or inheritors mentioned on the first page of the will. Do NOT key witnesses names. If the same name appears multiple times on the same page, key the name only once. Enter each name as a separate record. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Surname

Key the surname of the testator (the person whose will it is), and the beneficiaries or inheritors mentioned on the first page of the will. Do NOT key witnesses names. If the same name appears multiple times on the same page, key the name only once. Enter each name as a separate record. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.
See Example

Probate Day

The date of probate is usually given in the header area of the will, or in the first sentence or paragraph of the will. When there are two dates and one is qualified as "dated" (or indicated by a "D) and the other as "proved" (or indicated by a "P" or "Pr"), key the date that is labeled as "proved" or "P". If there are multiple, unqualified dates, key the latest of the dates given. Copy the date down for all people listed in the will.
See Example

Probate Month

The date of probate is usually given in the header area of the will, or in the first sentence or paragraph of the will. When there are two dates and one is qualified as "dated" (or indicated by a "D) and the other as "proved" (or indicated by a "P" or "Pr"), key the date that is labeled as "proved" or "P". If there are multiple, unqualified dates, key the latest of the dates given. Copy the date down for all people listed in the will.Key the month portion of the date when given. Enter the name of the month in full, even if written numerically or abbreviated on the record.
See Example

Probate Year

The date of probate is usually given in the header area of the will, or in the first sentence or paragraph of the will. When there are two dates and one is qualified as "dated" (or indicated by a "D) and the other as "proved" (or indicated by a "P" or "Pr"), key the date that is labeled as "proved" or "P". If there are multiple, unqualified dates, key the latest of the dates given. Copy the date down for all people listed in the will.Sometimes only the year will be listed. Key the two or four-digit year as seen.
See Example

Residence

Key the residence of the individual if listed. Key the residence as seen, including any parish and county names.

In some cases, the testator will be the only individual with a residence. The residence of the testator can usually be found in the first paragraph of the will following the name of the testator, and the word "of". For example, "I, [Name of person] of [Residence]". When given, the residences of other individuals will be listed later in the will, but in like manner.
See Example

Relationship

Enter the relationship of the individual to the person whose will it is. The options are "Testator", "Husband", "Wife", "Son", "Daughter", and "Other". The "Testator" is the person leaving the will. If no specific relationship to the testator is given, enter "Other" as the relationship.
See Example

Other with Names

http://c.mfcreative.com/i/akt/projecthelp/32521/31854_A012442-00061.jpg

This form type is for pages that have names listed on them, but are not wills.

Given

Key the first name or initial and any middle names of each person mentioned on the page. If the same name appears multiple times on the same page, key the name only once. If a name does not appear in the dictionary then key the name as seen.Enter the names as they appear on the image, left to right and top to bottom. Key the names as seen and do not infer surnames if not specifically listed for an individual.
See Example

Surname

Key the surname of each person mentioned on the page. If the same name appears multiple times on the same page, key the name only once. Using the dictionary provided for assistance. If the surname does not appear in the dictionary then key the surname as seen.Enter the names as they appear on the image, left to right and top to bottom. Key the names as seen and do not infer surnames if not specifically listed for an individual.
See Example