News & Insights

HM Courts & Tribunal Service have made available for public viewing 41 million wills which date back to 1858.   You will now be able to connect to history from the comfort of your own home and look up the wills of such people as the mathematician Alan Turing, Oliver Twist author Charles Dickens, the Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill and Peter Rabbit creator Beatrix Potter.  

The project gives the public the opportunity to get closer to its ancestors.   The original paper wills are and will remain in trust for future generations in a secure,  temperature controlled environment.

You will be able to discover such things as :

• The writer George Orwell insisted that all of his notes, manuscripts and pamphlets are to be preserved whereas the economist John Keynes wanted most of his personal papers and unpublished manuscripts to be destroyed.
• AA Milne,  the creator of Winnie the Pooh, left a share of future royalties and copyright to his favourite  London club and Westminster School 
• Beatrix Potter,  the creator of Peter Rabbit,  left a long and generous will that reflected her passion for natural science and conservation.  

Partner at Beviss & Beckingsale, Victoria Emmett, comments "This fascinating project provides us with insights into the ordinary and extraordinary people who helped shape this country and the rest of the world.   It is a fantastic resource not only for family historians but anyone with an interest in social history"

If you would like professional legal advice concerning tax planning, powers of attorney and wills then please our Private Client Team.