The information was transcribed as part of her own genealogical research by Patricia Terpstra () and she has generously broadcast them for general perusal on the Lanark-L mailing list (among others). She has given her permission for me to collect them in this fashion.
I have made no changes, other than the HTML formatting, to the transcribed text.
As to what the information actually means, and what one can do with it I myself can give no first-hand information. Let me quote from Patricia herself:
"As regards what to do with these. There are several options: (1) one could send for the actual will, which one would hope would contain other more expanded genealogical information, (2) given the name of the spouse (hopefully) one could do a parallel search on that side., (3) one could investigate the town/area mentioned. In case of military service, that is another clue as to where further records can be found. I for one, have not sent for wills yet, although I would like to. Someone sent the details on how to the list. I think enough information is given in this listing for the correct will to be requested. To the best of my knowledge the dates are similar to probate dates in the US and would, in most cases, approximate a time of death."
You can find out a bit more about Commissariot courts on this page
Good Luck.
Wills from the Commissariot of Edinburgh
1604-1700 & 1701-1800
Wills from the Commissariot of Glasgow
1547-1800
Wills from the Commissariot of Hamilton
and Campsie 1564-1800
Wills from the Commissariot of Lanark 1595-1800
Wills from the Commissariot of Lauder 1561-1800