A “Super Index” to Will Indexes

An incredible, but little known, resource is Super Index: A Compilation of Available Irish Will Indexes 1270-1860 (Salt Lake City, UT: J & J Limited, 2000), compiled by Gloria Bangerter then edited and alphabetized by Joyce Parsons and Jeanne Jensen. It is a massive alphabetical index to indexes compiled in 11 volumes, using the Family History Library (FHL) microfilm and books: www.familysearch.org

Most of the originals referred to in this index were destroyed in 1922. However, second copies, abstracts and extracts do survive for many of the estates mentioned. The first step is to consult the index to see if a will was generated; the second step is to look for a surviving copy. The index itself is on microfilm as follows: A-C, Volumes 1-3 (#1145963 items 11-13); D-E, G-M, Mc, Volumes 4-5 pt. 2, 6-8 (#1145964); F, Volume 5 pt. 1 (#1145972 item 21); N-Z, Volumes 9-11 (#1145965 items 1-3).

The index lists approximately 210,000 names. It lists the given name of the person and the year of the will. It also shows whether it was a will or administration bond, the county, whether it was dealt with by the Prerogative Court or by which Consistorial Court.   

 This index can launch your search for surviving second copies, extracts and abstracts. It can also be used as a locator for families, and is a helpful tool if you are dealing with 1600s and 1700s immigration problems. That may be all you need to launch into other record types.