From time to time I've watched Heir Hunters on TV partly because of my interest in family trees and partly because I used to deal with people's estates. I don't watch them all but they're fun to watch if you're retired with time to kill ... a bit like Helicopter Heroes ...
Well this morning I had a letter from Celtic Research who have been featured on Heir Hunters. I rapidly tried to think which distant relative might have died and whose estate I was going to benefit from. Alas, it's my Uncle's family they are trying to track down and by my uncle I mean my aunt's husband [so not my uncle at all].
My Aunty Mary married Donald in 1938 [according to the Celtic Research letter] and they had one son who died in 1943 ... as far as I know they had no others and that's what they believe. They wonder though if Aunty Mary and Donald may have adopted another child during World War II ~ I don't think so.
What about Donald's siblings they ask ... well, I know nothing of his siblings ... but I did inherit Aunty Mary and Donald's photographs, some of which are marvellous. This one for example ...
I liked Aunty Mary and [Uncle] Donald ...
I wonder what "unclaimed assets" might be due to Donald's estate. Will this case be on TV ? I will probably know.
In the meantime I had better respond to the letter and tell them what I know [not very much]. Still, I could put them in touch with my sole surviving Aunty. She may be able to help.
My Aunty Mary married Donald in 1938 [according to the Celtic Research letter] and they had one son who died in 1943 ... as far as I know they had no others and that's what they believe. They wonder though if Aunty Mary and Donald may have adopted another child during World War II ~ I don't think so.
What about Donald's siblings they ask ... well, I know nothing of his siblings ... but I did inherit Aunty Mary and Donald's photographs, some of which are marvellous. This one for example ...
I liked Aunty Mary and [Uncle] Donald ...
I wonder what "unclaimed assets" might be due to Donald's estate. Will this case be on TV ? I will probably know.
In the meantime I had better respond to the letter and tell them what I know [not very much]. Still, I could put them in touch with my sole surviving Aunty. She may be able to help.
I find these programmes fascinating,like you Charlie I think it's because of my interest in ancestry.What a pity it wasn't your ancestor.I always find it sad when they have lost touch with their close relatives.When you see friends who have helped them through the years get nothing and relations who didn't have anything to do with them get the lot.Ann
ReplyDeleteHaving worked in probate Ann I could tell you many tales of relatives surfacing at the last moment ... usually from under the floorboards.
DeleteSee my comment lower down though on the latest development !
Well that must have come as a bit of a surprise! Still, they couldn't have asked a better person, as if anyone of your generation would have known about the family, I suspect it would be you. Who knows maybe your other Aunty knows more. It'd be interesting to know what the "unclaimed assets" amount to, just from curiosity's sake rather than anything else.
ReplyDeleteIt seems this matter is closed Jenny as far as my family are concerned ~ see my comment lower down though on the latest development.
DeleteHow interesting, particulary as researching your family is something of a hobby of yours. I'd be interested to hear what, if any, outcome there is to this enquiry. I don't think I've ever watched 'Heir Hunters', although I do like the celeb ancestry show 'Who Do You Think You Are?'
ReplyDeleteYes, I like 'Who Do You Think You Are ?' too. You ought to watch Heir Hunters ... it's available on BBC iPlayer.
DeleteSee my comment lower down though on the latest development.
and the plot thickens......
ReplyDeleteSee my comment lower down though on the latest development !
DeleteIt's like unravelling a mystery ... and genealogy can be so fascinating. I'm glad that they got in contact with you.
ReplyDeleteSome mysteries unravel quite quickly ... see my comment below as regards the latest development.
DeleteI have this afternoon received a reply from Celtic Research that reads "I believe Donald ... was an only child. Therefore, I believe this part of my search has reached a dead end and I will have to continue looking at other lines for family."
ReplyDeleteSo, I've learnt something new ~ Uncle Donald was an only child. I wonder who the photographs are of in the albums I own. It may be too late to find out.
It's very sad. Roy, Donald and Mary's only child, died when he was just three or four years of age and they never had any more children. Why, I don't know.