It’s uncommon for a will to say something to the effect that “the children listed in this will are the only ones I have ever had and there are no others. I have included all my children in my will.” Many genealogical arguments result from a will that appears to list only some of the testator’s children or a genealogist’s belief that a child (usually their direct ancestor) has been omitted from the will.
Wills that do appear to list only some of the testator’s children can be frustrating for the genealogist. Wills that omit known children can be confusing as well. It’s possible that other children were provided for separately or were intentionally left out. Children do get left out of the parents’ wills for a variety of reasons and estrangement, which is go-to assumption of some researchers, is not necessarily the reason.
No matter why the child was omitted from a will it is proving the connection that can be the problem.
Researchers should make certain that all probate records involving the settlement of the parent’s estate have been obtained–not just the will. Were there any settlement deeds drawn up for property not referenced in the will? Did all heirs have to sign any of those deedsW–keeping in mind that heirs are still heirs even if they are not mentioned in the will? Was there property whose disposition was not mentioned in the will? Was there court action over the validity of the will–a potential if children are truly omitted?
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