Beginning in the 1890s, volunteers working for the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP) abstracted the early wills of some Pennsylvania counties (viz., Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Delaware, Lancaster, Montgomery, Philadelphia, and York). From "Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania." The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography. Vol. 32, No. 1 (1908), pp. 58-62: "The Genealogical Society was organized in 1892, as an auxiliary to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and its founders announced the objects of the Society to be: The promotion of genealogical research; the collection and preservation of registers of births, marriages, and deaths, kept by religious societies or individuals, or making transcripts thereof; as well as transcripts or abstracts of all kinds of official records affording genealogical information."Today, digitized copies of the early Lancaster will books are available via the FamilySearch online catalogue and Ancestry.com. I often read these early Lancaster wills in the course of my research. For those who use the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania's will abstracts, it is important to know that not all information of genealogical value may have been abstracted. For example: GSP Will Abstract: MAYER, CATHARINE Lampeter Twp.December 1, 1808 October 20, 1810Children: Catharine wife of Adam Oberly and Peggy.Ex.: Adam Oberly.My Abstract: Lancaster Will L188: Catharine Mayer, widow, of Lampeter Township, writ 1 December 1808, probated 20 Oct 1810.1."being weak and infirm of body"2.To my daughter Catren, the wife of Adam Oberly: One bed and bedding.3.To my daughter Peggy: One bed and bedding.4.On account of "[my] son Isaac being disobedient to me given unto him seventy five cents to be his full share."5.The remainder of my estate is to be sold at public vendue and the profits equally divided amongst these five of my children: John Weaver, Mary Hoffman, Catren Oberly, Jacob Mayer, and Peggy Mayer.6.Executor: My trusty friend Adam Oberly.7.Signed her name with a mark. 8.Witnessed by Philip Weicker and David Heiss.GSP Will Abstract: November 2, 1756 November 6, 1756WOLFE, BERNHARD Brother-in-law: Lorrantz Hooft. Ex. George M. Swob. Lancaster Borough.My Abstract: Lancaster Will B145: Bernhard Wolf of the Borough of Lancaster, writ 2 Nov 1756, probated 6 Nov 1756.1."at present very sick"2.To Jeremias Wolfe and John George Wolfe: To each of them the sum of one shilling sterling to be their full share of my estate.3.To my beloved friend Frederick Feldberger: "one pare of bleu leder pridges, a bleu coatn and unter jacket.....[other items]." For taking care of the testator during his sickness.4."To my beloved brother-in-law Lorentz Hooff and George Michael Wolfe's his children and George Kinder deceased his three daughters the remaining of my estate to be divided among the said parties share and share alike."5.Also the children of Jacob Shirche deceased his children to be in equal shares with the above mentioned.6.My executors are to sell and dispose of his house and lot for the best price.7.Executor: My friend George Michael Swob.8.Signed his name with a mark.9.Witnessed by Abraham Myer and Martin Shretter.These are severe cases; however, I find that the GSP abstracts often omit names of interest. It also appears that grandchildren or other relations were frequently (and intentionally) left out. Further, the abstracts do not include servants, slaves, witnesses, land bequests, and other items of genealogical value.In consideration thereof, I have elected to re-abstract all Lancaster wills up to my own published abstracts covering the years 1821 to 1830.