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Explore the Atlantic connection between England and early America through this important collection of English will abstracts, church records, and passenger lists. Featuring information on about 141,000 individuals, this resource links American settlers to their English origins across several centuries.
These English source documents help researchers trace an American ancestor’s English roots, bridging generations and continents. Many of the included volumes form a comprehensive record of American wills proved in London between the early 1600s and late 1700s. English wills are invaluable genealogical tools, often listing relatives, addresses, and property details, as well as noting family members who emigrated to the colonies. Such information provides critical evidence for identifying family relationships and understanding ancestral social and economic backgrounds.
From the mid-1500s onward, wills in England were validated through ecclesiastical courts, with more complex cases handled by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC). The PCC had final jurisdiction over wills involving individuals who died abroad but held property in England making these records especially useful for those tracing transatlantic connections. This collection offers exceptional access to PCC documents related to American wills, a cornerstone for understanding early English-American lineage.