Did he leave me anything? The history and traditions of will making

Wills have always caused controversy and while many are straightforward others can give an insight into complex family relationships and the customs and laws of the time.

This talk explores the history of will making from mediaeval to more recent times, some of the customs, and the process of making and proving a will. It looks at how people ensured their loved ones received their inheritance and those out of favour didn't, using examples of loving and not so loving families.

Anne Mealia is a professional genealogist and historical researcher and runs her own business, Evergreen Ancestry. She is a member of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives (AGRA) She has carried out research for Who Do You Think You Are and was Archives Researcher for the Channel 4 documentary The Queen’s Lost Family. As well as being a trustee of HBLHS she is a guide with Calderdale Heritage Walks and regularly leads walks in the Todmorden area.