Find My Past Ireland releases Ardagh Wills 1690-1857

FindMyPast Ireland has launched a small collection called the Ardagh Wills 1690-1857.

This index of wills will be of special interest to researchers with ancestors from counties Longford and Leitrim, but those with connections in Sligo, Roscommon, Cavan and Westmeath should also give it a look because parts of the Ardagh diocese extended into these areas.

More than 40 civil parishes were included in the diocese. The main towns were:

• Carrick-on-Shannon
  
• Drumshambo
  
• Granard
  
• Mohill
  
• Edgeworthstown
  
• Longford.
  

Before 1858 wills were proved either in the Diocesan Court or in the Prerogative Court. If the deceased held property in only one diocese, his will was proved in the former. This regulation applied to both Roman Catholics and Protestants.

The original bonds were destroyed in the Public Records Office fire in 1922, so only the index survives.