Heir hunters

[Mad Cyril]

Has anyone ever been approached by one of these firms?

 

[Benfleet A1]

Unfortunely not. I could do with a long lost relative leaving a shed load of readies with my name on it.

 

[Mad Cyril]

Unfortunely not. I could do with a long lost relative leaving a shed load of readies with my name on it.

That's just it though. It all sounds a bit too Nigerian Prince...

Then again these firm work on a percentage so would they go after estates that comprise 15 cats and a mint Datsun Sunny?

 

[OldBlueLady]

I love watching this programme, find the whole ancestry and genealogy thing fascinating. Would love to work for one of these companies!

 

[MK Shrimper]

I love watching this programme, find the whole ancestry and genealogy thing fascinating. Would love to work for one of these companies!

Absolutely this.

I've got an extremely common surname, so ain't going to happen to me - besides my dad had 10 brothers & sisters that had kids, so if it did, I'd end up with £2.50.

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

I love watching this programme, find the whole ancestry and genealogy thing fascinating. !

Spent 2-3 years mid 80's tracing my family tree. This was before the Internet, which makes it a lot easier to do today. Spent many a time in Churchyards searching for Gravestones, Record offices at Southend & Chelmsford looking through microfiche films of Parish Records, and Church Vestrys going through original records, which hadn't been deposited at the Record Office's.
Found it very interesting and sad, as to the struggle many families had just to 'keep going'. Did'nt help that most couples had up to 10 kids either!.
Most people have a wonderful family story to tell, passed down the ages, most of them are untrue!. Also irrelevant of what you know of your family history, most have 'skeletons in the cupboard', believe me!.
Regarding families coat of arms, lot of these are fantasy, just an easy way for people to make money. Americans are more interested in these, those with links to UK.
Variation of spelling surnames is commonplace, as a lot of people were illiterate, and The Vicar or census compliers wrote down the name they thought the person said, subject to their local dialect.

 

[LCBB72]

Spent 2-3 years mid 80's tracing my family tree. This was before the Internet, which makes it a lot easier to do today. Spent many a time in Churchyards searching for Gravestones, Record offices at Southend & Chelmsford looking through microfiche films of Parish Records, and Church Vestrys going through original records, which hadn't been deposited at the Record Office's.
Found it very interesting and sad, as to the struggle many families had just to 'keep going'. Did'nt help that most couples had up to 10 kids either!.
Most people have a wonderful family story to tell, passed down the ages, most of them are untrue!. Also irrelevant of what you know of your family history, most have 'skeletons in the cupboard', believe me!.
Regarding families coat of arms, lot of these are fantasy, just an easy way for people to make money. Americans are more interested in these, those with links to UK.
Variation of spelling surnames is commonplace, as a lot of people were illiterate, and The Vicar or census compliers wrote down the name they thought the person said, subject to their local dialect.

My grandmother was always called May until she went to draw her pension and found out her name was Florence .

 

[OldBlueLady]

I know we're drifting away from Cyril's OP - to which the answer is obviously "no" - but family history is so interesting. My maternal grandmother was born in South Africa, she was one of twin girls and, with two older sisters, her father washed his hands of the lot of his female offspring and sodded off to procreate in South Africa while sending his wife and their daughters back to England.

My nan and her older sister were the only two to survive, both going into service in the early part of last century. Seems so amazing to think that someone could be that cold hearted as to cast off his wife and children.

 

[Bielzibubz]

No, like others I haven't butI too found the whole genealogy/family history thing extremely interesting. I managed to go back to 1720 and found out I'm from a right old bunch of true Cockneys from Bow and Stepney. That in 1846 the family started what went on to become one of the largest timber merchants in the country (Alsford Timber) One ancestor got tried at the Old Bailey (I have the court transcripts) for highway robbery and sent to Australia for seven years in 1834 and that's where the large Aussie side of the family originated and also that a great many of my London family that stuck to the old East End after others had managed to climb up the social ladder and move away from the slums of 19th century East End found themselves in and out of various workhouses over the decades. I found skeletons in the proverbial family cupboard and been frustrated by blind ally's and dead ends. It's a journey that can open your eyes to many aspects of our past that perhaps we weren't aware of.

To anyone thinking about starting their family tree be warned, it's addictive and can become quite expensive if you plan on going back further than 1832 or you want comprehensive access to on line databases through website subscriptions. A great free site to get you started is run by the Mormons but don't let that put you off, it's a great free start point. https://familysearch.org/search

 

[davewebbsbrain]

Has anyone ever been approached by one of these firms?

I'm not bald so I'd be no good for the show :smile:

 

[Billy Bests boot laces]

My nan and her older sister were the only two to survive, both going into service in the early part of last century. Seems so amazing to think that someone could be that cold hearted as to cast off his wife and children.

Found a copy of an 1821 edition of the Essex/Chelmsford Chronicle, which had a front page article re my 3x Grandfather. He had 'Absconded' and left his wife & children ( 8 at that time ) to the charity of Tillingham ( near Bradwell, where they lived ) Parish Council for their upkeep. As he was only an Ag Labourer and was poor, doubt it would have made much difference?.
Anyway, the paper gave his description, what he wore, how he spoke & walked ( info many people would never get regarding an ancestor), and had £1 reward for his whereabouts.
Someone grassed him up, because I found an entry in Tillinghams Parish Councils records of a £1 reward being paid soon after.
He stayed with his family, moved to Rochford a year later, where 3 of his sons married, and had 8,9 & 10 children each. All of them being poor Agricultural Labourers ( seasonal work ). Bet Rochford Council loved having them on the scene!.
3 x GF died in 1839 of pleurisy, something these days that can be cured by antibiotics. His name was Golden.
Buried at Rochford church, no gravestone, as family were too poor to afford one.
Fast forward to today, Lady Luck still hasn't smiled on the family financially!!.

 

[Fred]

I have been researching my family surname for 30-40 years and I have traced my ancestors back, via Fulham, to Wiltshire where they were farmers and tax collectors. I find it fascinating and have spent fortunes over the years. It is a lot easier now with the various websites and "putting meat on the bones" is also helped by the digitisation and researching of newspaper records. It's also no where near as expensive. As a result of looking online, I found out that one of my ancestors trained and coached with Wimbledon champions, and was considered to be one of the finest professional coaches in the world. Putting things in a historical and social context is also rewarding ie What was the reason why Fred migrated?

As far as heirhunters are concerned, yes a relative of mine was approached and that relative benefited from a deceased persons estate. On initial contact ( and they won't tell you who has died to protect their interests) the heirhunters wanted my relative to sign a contract with them and they said they would take something like 30% of the value of the estate. Competition between heir hunting companies is cut throat and you can knock their commission down a hell of a lot by playing one against the other, or if you do the research yourself it will cost you much less.

So it does happen and if you get a knock on the door or a telephone call, listen, don't sign anything and wait. You can be sure if it is a bonafide inheritance, other heirhunters will be in contact with you very soon. Research the companies online and make an informed decision. After all it could possibly cost you thousands of pounds. Alternatively, start creating a family tree yourself.

Just one point I would like to make is that if you are interested in genealogy, it pays to have a chat with any elderly relatives about old times, preferably over a cup of tea and biscuits, or maybe something a little stronger. It pays dividends. Many elderly people love to talk about the past, and of course some relatives are not as forthcoming with information in order to save any embarrassment they may have. Don't always take their word for it, as sometimes what is said may not be the way it was. I wish I'd done this when my only grandparent was alive as I now feel I have missed out on a wealth of information which has sadly died with them.

I would be interested to know if anyone has started researching their family tree.

 

[MK Shrimper]

I would be interested to know if anyone has started researching their family tree.

I did....but some distant relative had already done the majority of the leg work so I could just add my bit onto theirs (I think he was my dad's half-sisters son IIRC)...It is fascinating, though that find killed most of the mystery so I sort of lost interest.

I did find out that my Grandmother (who died long before I was born) was actually born close to Milton Keynes (Pottersbury) despite my dad and his 2 full brothers and 10 half brothers & sisters being born in the East End slums (Bow). I did pop up there an took a photo outside the barn she was allegedly born in, in 1883.

There is also a website dedicated to the Johnson family (of whom my Grandmother was a part of) of Northampton with hundreds of branches.

 

[Mad Cyril]

I have been researching my family surname for 30-40 years and I have traced my ancestors back, via Fulham, to Wiltshire where they were farmers and tax collectors. I find it fascinating and have spent fortunes over the years. It is a lot easier now with the various websites and "putting meat on the bones" is also helped by the digitisation and researching of newspaper records. It's also no where near as expensive. As a result of looking online, I found out that one of my ancestors trained and coached with Wimbledon champions, and was considered to be one of the finest professional coaches in the world. Putting things in a historical and social context is also rewarding ie What was the reason why Fred migrated?

As far as heirhunters are concerned, yes a relative of mine was approached and that relative benefited from a deceased persons estate. On initial contact ( and they won't tell you who has died to protect their interests) the heirhunters wanted my relative to sign a contract with them and they said they would take something like 30% of the value of the estate. Competition between heir hunting companies is cut throat and you can knock their commission down a hell of a lot by playing one against the other, or if you do the research yourself it will cost you much less.

So it does happen and if you get a knock on the door or a telephone call, listen, don't sign anything and wait. You can be sure if it is a bonafide inheritance, other heirhunters will be in contact with you very soon. Research the companies online and make an informed decision. After all it could possibly cost you thousands of pounds. Alternatively, start creating a family tree yourself.

Just one point I would like to make is that if you are interested in genealogy, it pays to have a chat with any elderly relatives about old times, preferably over a cup of tea and biscuits, or maybe something a little stronger. It pays dividends. Many elderly people love to talk about the past, and of course some relatives are not as forthcoming with information in order to save any embarrassment they may have. Don't always take their word for it, as sometimes what is said may not be the way it was. I wish I'd done this when my only grandparent was alive as I now feel I have missed out on a wealth of information which has sadly died with them.

I would be interested to know if anyone has started researching their family tree.

I wouldn't inherit anything but the person involved has been quoted fees of 10% of any sum.

Not sure who else gets a slice of the pie, presumably a law firm is also involved.

 

[londonblue]

I have been researching my family surname for 30-40 years and I have traced my ancestors back, via Fulham, to Wiltshire where they were farmers and tax collectors. I find it fascinating and have spent fortunes over the years. It is a lot easier now with the various websites and "putting meat on the bones" is also helped by the digitisation and researching of newspaper records. It's also no where near as expensive. As a result of looking online, I found out that one of my ancestors trained and coached with Wimbledon champions, and was considered to be one of the finest professional coaches in the world. Putting things in a historical and social context is also rewarding ie What was the reason why Fred migrated?

As far as heirhunters are concerned, yes a relative of mine was approached and that relative benefited from a deceased persons estate. On initial contact ( and they won't tell you who has died to protect their interests) the heirhunters wanted my relative to sign a contract with them and they said they would take something like 30% of the value of the estate. Competition between heir hunting companies is cut throat and you can knock their commission down a hell of a lot by playing one against the other, or if you do the research yourself it will cost you much less.

So it does happen and if you get a knock on the door or a telephone call, listen, don't sign anything and wait. You can be sure if it is a bonafide inheritance, other heirhunters will be in contact with you very soon. Research the companies online and make an informed decision. After all it could possibly cost you thousands of pounds. Alternatively, start creating a family tree yourself.

Just one point I would like to make is that if you are interested in genealogy, it pays to have a chat with any elderly relatives about old times, preferably over a cup of tea and biscuits, or maybe something a little stronger. It pays dividends. Many elderly people love to talk about the past, and of course some relatives are not as forthcoming with information in order to save any embarrassment they may have. Don't always take their word for it, as sometimes what is said may not be the way it was. I wish I'd done this when my only grandparent was alive as I now feel I have missed out on a wealth of information which has sadly died with them.

I would be interested to know if anyone has started researching their family tree.

Same with us.

 

[Fred]

Same with us.

I have huge regrets over this. My grandmother would have had so much to tell about her life but by the time that I really got into family history I was in my late teens and she had passed away. It was her who casually said that we had a famous tennis uncle in the family and that my grandfather also played and coached tennis to the rich and very famous. But it was always on an upstairs/downstairs basis and as soon as his employer died, so did his employment and tied cottage. The class system was very much in evidence.

 

[MK Shrimper]

My mum is 88, still sharp as a tack and a memory to boot. I'd have been lost without her.

 

[Fred]

I wouldn't inherit anything but the person involved has been quoted fees of 10% of any sum.

Not sure who else gets a slice of the pie, presumably a law firm is also involved.

I wouldn't inherit anything but the person involved has been quoted fees of 10% of any sum.

Not sure who else gets a slice of the pie, presumably a law firm is also involved.

There maybe alsorts of claims on an estate with something like this, ie the clearance and sale of a house and property, not to mention the deceaseds funeral costs. Creditors and debtors have to be found and so legal intervention is usually required. How this is calculated and who deals with what, I'm not sure. The size of the final pie and the proportion the beneficiaries receive takes some time to calculate. There may be some legal eagles on here who may be able to provide more general information.

My experience of this comes from some time ago and I wasn't party to all of the case, but one thing I do know is that the heirhunter got 5% as two companies were plying for the same business. If this is same in your case, the prospective beneficiary can be ruthless as the heirhunter would rather get 5% of something rather than 100% of nothing for all their work.

A good sight for researching unclaimed estates is the governments 'bona vacantia' site which may help. I see they currently have an 'internet phishing alert'. A sign of the times I'm afraid. Scumbags.

 

[Mad Cyril]

There maybe alsorts of claims on an estate with something like this, ie the clearance and sale of a house and property, not to mention the deceaseds funeral costs. Creditors and debtors have to be found and so legal intervention is usually required. How this is calculated and who deals with what, I'm not sure. The size of the final pie and the proportion the beneficiaries receive takes some time to calculate. There may be some legal eagles on here who may be able to provide more general information.

My experience of this comes from some time ago and I wasn't party to all of the case, but one thing I do know is that the heirhunter got 5% as two companies were plying for the same business. If this is same in your case, the prospective beneficiary can be ruthless as the heirhunter would rather get 5% of something rather than 100% of nothing for all their work.

A good sight for researching unclaimed estates is the governments 'bona vacantia' site which may help. I see they currently have an 'internet phishing alert'. A sign of the times I'm afraid. Scumbags.

I assume the heir hunters are appointed by legal firms who chase estates without a will and they also take a hefty chunk.

 

[Fred]

I assume the heir hunters are appointed by legal firms who chase estates without a will and they also take a hefty chunk.

The list of unclaimed estates is released by the Treasury Solicitor on behalf of the government. From this list, the heirhunters then try and locate any heirs as soon as they can. I think the solicitors involvement comes later when the heirhunters send any prospective claims back to the Treasury Solicitor. However I stand to be corrected.