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Hi all,

Just a little info needed if possible...

My eldest Auntie (my Mum's sister) has been approached by an heir hunting company asking if she is related to two names (which I confirmed are definitely their Grandparents, I have their marriage cert and would not be a problem proving the link).

How would we go about finding out who the estate is from, without having to go through the heir hunting company (who charge 25% and over). Would it be a matter of having to greatly extend the family tree and see if any of those names crop up?

I have looked at the bona vacantia list, and cannot seem to find any relatives that we know of on the list (only one name seems to be possibly relevant but from a different area of the country as well).

Is it right that if the person was say born in 1930, as long as you were related to the grandparents of the deceased (potentially born as early as 1840) then you are an entitled heir?

I also wondered, it says on the treasury site that the first entitled relative can claim. Does this mean that they can claim their share or could they potentially claim the whole estate? Only my Auntie was approached (as she was executor for my Grandfather's will and therefore her info was public), my Mum would obviously like to make a claim also :)

Any info on this kind of thing would be gratefully received!

Many thanks

4286 views

Hi all,

Just a little info needed if possible...

My eldest Auntie (my Mum's sister) has been approached by an heir hunting company asking if she is related to two names (which I confirmed are definitely their Grandparents, I have their marriage cert and would not be a problem proving the link).

How would we go about finding out who the estate is from, without having to go through the heir hunting company (who charge 25% and over). Would it be a matter of having to greatly extend the family tree and see if any of those names crop up?

I have looked at the bona vacantia list, and cannot seem to find any relatives that we know of on the list (only one name seems to be possibly relevant but from a different area of the country as well).

Is it right that if the person was say born in 1930, as long as you were related to the grandparents of the deceased (potentially born as early as 1840) then you are an entitled heir?

I also wondered, it says on the treasury site that the first entitled relative can claim. Does this mean that they can claim their share or could they potentially claim the whole estate? Only my Auntie was approached (as she was executor for my Grandfather's will and therefore her info was public), my Mum would obviously like to make a claim also :)

Any info on this kind of thing would be gratefully received!

Many thanks

Probate is a complex area - you need to find out who was alive at the time of death of the person without a valid Will, to then work out who / which group of people are entitled to a share of the estate

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

4096 views

I think it will be wayyyy beyond my realm of understanding to be honest! If the heir hunting company have approached my Aunt then I am guessing if we were to contact then, my Mum could also make a claim? Will be worth asking, I guess!

4036 views

Tanks slow hands for your invaluable help, as always! Have now got my head round it all... It's actually my Nan who is entitled to the share of the estate rather than my Mum, as my Nan survived my Grandad who lived past the intestacy period. It's definitely not a scam, this time!

Now to explain al this to my Nan....! :) wish me luck!

3970 views

Hi there,

I dont suppose anyone can help with a records search on a Bernice Day who died 13.07.04. Lived in Tooting, London SW17 please?

Am after any other details whatsoever if anyone can help? Possibly nee Simmonds, born Gloucestershire (f.o.d., brierley banks)

Many thanks in advance,

Rachael

3613 views

Just found out she was Grandad's sister and was born Simmonds, died intestate in 2004 in Tooting. Very exciting stuff!

3616 views

Hi there,

I dont suppose anyone can help with a records search on a Bernice Day who died 13.07.04. Lived in Tooting, London SW17 please?

Am after any other details whatsoever if anyone can help? Possibly nee Simmonds, born Gloucestershire (f.o.d., brierley banks)

Many thanks in advance,

Rachael

Name:Bernice Simmonds
Mother's Maiden Surname:Mills
Date of Registration:Jul-Aug-Sep 1919
Registration District:Westbury S
Inferred County:Shropshire
Volume Number:6a
Page Number:439

Name:Bernice Day
Birth Date:2 Jul 1919
Date of Registration:Jul 2004
Age at Death:85
Registration District:Wandsworth
Inferred County:London
Register Number:D117A
District and Subdistrict:256/1D
Entry number:248

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

3633 views

Hi Rachael,
I've not dealt with this subject in any way before so cannot vouch for them, but these websites may help you, I do hope so. Unlike the vast majority of the "hits" I received, these aren't (obviously) from a legal firm, so hopefully there will be some "neutral" advice here. It's clear that a great many legal firms are targeting such business so presumably there's good profits to be made... I wish you well in minimising them.

http://www.heirhunters-association.org.uk/index2.php?view=faq
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lifestyle/tv_and_radio/heirhunters_index.shtml
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-1611232/Are-family-fortune-How-heir-hun...
http://www.yours.co.uk/Money/Search-Results/Legal--Consumer/Search-Results/Wills--Legac...
http://www.sog.org.uk/learn/education-sub-page-for-testing-navigation/hints-tips-seven-...

4096 views

I should be very wary of this. Ask them who the solicitors for the deceased are, I bet you don't get an answer. Normally, the solicitors put adverts in the papers and then if they suspect there may be unknown living beneficiaries, they employ genealogists to track forwards. It costs the beneficiaries nothing.

A case like this initiated my interest in family history. In 1959, my father got a letter from a firm of solicitors. It laid out all that the solicitors knew including my father and asking for any information. An ummarried lady had died the same year and although making some bequests there was a residual estate. Because the lady was unmarried it had to go back to her grandfather born 1830!!! (also grandfather of my fathers mother)and her grandmother similarly.

Genealogists had to be employed as descendants were in Canada and Australia etc. It took 10 years before a distribution was made. Even then an insurance policy was taken out in case any more descendants turned up. My fathers share was 1/385th.

4000 views

Oooohhhh I am so glad I checked my genes reunited! Just figured out the person who asked for access to my tree in April is the owner of the heir hunting company!

Can anyone help me with this please... looking for the name of wife of Ernest Simmonds b 1895. I believe he married a Mills.

Thanks!!

4007 views

Oooohhhh I am so glad I checked my genes reunited! Just figured out the person who asked for access to my tree in April is the owner of the heir hunting company!

Can anyone help me with this please... looking for the name of wife of Ernest Simmonds b 1895. I believe he married a Mills.

Thanks!!

SIMMONDS Ernest
MILLS Rose May
Forest of Dean Westbury-on-Severn (FoD) Register Office
1917 17 72

possible offspring - although there are other SIMMONDS / MILLS unions

Edward C Simmonds Apr-May-Jun 1918 Westbury S Shropshire

Bernice Simmonds Jul-Aug-Sep 1919 Westbury S Shropshire

Cyril L Simmonds Jan-Feb-Mar 1919 Westbury S Shropshire

Henry A Simmonds Oct-Nov-Dec 1920 Westbury S Shropshire

Joan M Simmonds Jan-Feb-Mar 1922 Westbury S Shropshire

Redvers D Simmonds Jul-Aug-Sep 1923 Westbury S. Shropshire

Marjorie D Simmonds Jan-Feb-Mar 1925 Westbury S Shropshire

Bryan Simmonds Oct-Nov-Dec 1927 Westbury S Shropshire

Probably

1911 Ruardean Woodside, Ruardean, Glos
Henry Simmonds 36
Ernest Simmonds 16
Lewis Simmonds 8
Gilbert Simmonds 4
Ada Simmonds 12
Daisy Simmonds 10

1901
Henry Simmonds abt 1876 Littledean, Gloucestershire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Alice Simmonds abt 1871 Beverley, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ernest Simmonds abt 1895 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire
Ada Simmonds abt 1899 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Daisy Simmonds abt 1900 East Dean, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire

<><><><><>

Name: Rosa M Simmonds
Birth Date: abt 1899
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1951
Age at Death: 52
Registration district: Forest of Dean
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 7b
Page: 615

1911 Brierley
Daniel Mills 45
Mary Ann Mills 65
Hilda Mills 22
Rosa Mills 13
Arthur Mills 11
Nesta Mills 9
Gladys Mills 7

1901
David Mills abt 1866 Petton, Staffordshire, England Head East Dean, Gloucestershire
Henrietta Mills abt 1870 Paston Nr Bakely, Gloucestershire, England Wife East Dean, Gloucestershire
Hilda Mills abt 1889 Brierly, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Beatrice Mills abt 1891 Brierly, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Mable Mills abt 1895 Brierly, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Rosa Mills abt 1897 Brierly, Gloucestershire, England Daughter East Dean, Gloucestershire
Arthur Mills abt 1900 Brierly, Gloucestershire, England Son East Dean, Gloucestershire

<><><><><>
Name: Ernest Benjamin Simmonds
Birth Date: 4 Feb 1895
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1970
Age at Death: 75
Registration district: Forest of Dean
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 7b
Page: 819

Name: Ernest Benjamin Simmonds
Date of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar 1895
Registration district: Westbury on Severn
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 266

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

4063 views

Many thanks Slowhands. Definitely Ernest is a child of Henry and Alice Mason.

That's ace!

4015 views

Many thanks Slowhands. Definitely Ernest is a child of Henry and Alice Mason.

That's ace!

hence the Benjamin in Ernest SIMMONDS

Year: 1970
Month: Jul
Day: 10
Surname: SIMMONDS
Forenames: Ernest Benjamin
Residence: Brierley Bank Drybrook
Age_at_death: 0
Officiating_Minister: H G E Hiscox
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P109 IN 1/31
Page_No: 36
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

Year: 1951
Month: Jan
Day: 25
Surname: SIMMONDS
Forenames: Rosa May
Residence: Brierly nr Drybrook
Age_at_death: 82
Officiating_Minister: F J Gilmour
Event: Burial
Cause_of_death:
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P109 IN 1/38
Page_No: 126
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

4018 views

Just received email from the heir hunter and the inheritance relates to Bertram Simmonds.

Any ideas how I find out about this estate?

Many thanks!!!

3967 views

Just received email from the heir hunter and the inheritance relates to Bertram Simmonds.

Any ideas how I find out about this estate?

Many thanks!!!

We have been here before .... http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=39830 s/o Mabel MILLS

Name: Bertram H Simmonds
Mother's Maiden Name: Mills
Date of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec 1914
Registration district: Westbury on Severn
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 6a
Page: 472

Name: Bertram H Simmonds & Evelyn G Lewis
Date of Registration: Jul-Aug-Sep 1941
Registration district: Forest of Dean
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume Number: 6a
Page Number: 968

SIMMONDS Bertram Henry
LEWIS Evelyn Gladys
Forest of Dean Drybrook Holy Trinity
1941 7 218

Year: 1941
Month: Sep
Day: 6
Grooms_Surname: SIMMONDS
Grooms_Forenames: Bertram Henry
Grooms_Age: 26
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: RAF
Grooms_Residence: Drybrook
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Simmonds
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: Henry Aaron
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Cable Worker
Brides_Surname: LEWIS
Brides_Forenames: Evelyn Gladys
Brides_Age: 17
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation:
Brides_Residence: Upper Lydbrook
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Lewis
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Isaiah
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Miner deceased
Licence_or_Banns: Licence
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both sign
Witness_1: Arthur Leslie Lewis
Witness_2: Henry A Simmonds
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: A G Partridge MBE Vicar
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: P109 IN1/22
Page_Number: 109
Parish_Chapel: Drybrook

Possible children:-
Bruce H Simmonds Jul-Aug-Sep 1942 Forest of Dean Gloucestershire, Shropshire, Herefordshire
Shirley A Simmonds Jul-Aug-Sep 1946 Forest of Dean Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire
Martin A Simmonds Oct-Nov-Dec 1953 Forest of Dean Gloucestershire

Name: Bertram Henry Simmonds
Birth Date: 21 Oct 1914
Date of Registration: Jul 1990
Age at Death: 75
Registration district: Forest of Dean
Inferred County: Gloucestershire
Volume: 22
Page: 1587

probably not on the Bona Vacantia list that far back, still in the 30 years

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

4043 views

1891
Tom Lewis abt 1862 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Gloucestershire
Elizth Lewis abt 1864 Yorkley, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Gloucestershire
Thomas Lewis abt 1886 Upper Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire
Isaiah Lewis abt 1890 Upper Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Gloucestershire

1901
Tom Lewis abt 1862 Coleford, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Monmouthshire
Elizabeth A Lewis abt 1862 Pellowell, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Monmouthshire
Thomas E Lewis abt 1886 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Isaias Lewis abt 1891 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Harold Lewis abt 1894 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Leslie Lewis abt 1896 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Howard Lewis abt 1898 Lydbrook, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire

1901
William Wilce abt 1853 Ruardean, Gloucestershire, England Head West Dean, Monmouthshire
Theresa Wilce abt 1856 Berry Hill, Gloucestershire, England Wife West Dean, Monmouthshire
Harry Wilce abt 1879 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Florence Wilce abt 1885 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
William A Wilce abt 1888 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Son West Dean, Monmouthshire
Minnie A Wilce abt 1890 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Gladys M Wilce abt 1893 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
May A Wilce abt 1896 Lane End, Gloucestershire, England Daughter West Dean, Monmouthshire
Frederick Wilce abt 1899 Monmouthshire, Wales Grandson West Dean, Monmouthshire

1911 Lydbrook
William Wilce 58
William Albert Wilce 23
Minnie Agnes Wilce 21
Gladys May Wilce 18 Lane End
May Agnes Wilce 15
Ethel Wilee 3
Dorothy May Wilee

LEWIS Isaiah
WILCE Gladys May
Forest of Dean Monmouth Register Office
1912 23 179

Name: Evelyn G Lewis
Mother's Maiden Surname: Wilce
Date of Registration: Apr-May-Jun 1924
Registration district: Monmouth
Inferred County: Wales
Volume Number: 11a
Page Number: 42

Name: Evelyn Gladys Simmonds
Birth Date: 4 Apr 1924
Date of Registration: Jan 2000
Age at Death: 75
Registration district: West Berks
Inferred County: Berkshire
Register Number: 50E
District and Subdistrict: 3191
Entry number: 110

Cemetery Mile End
Grave Ref M376 2308
Name SIMMONDS, Evelyn Gladys
Age 75
Address 5 Ridge Place Worral Hill Lydbrook Glos
Date of Death 30 December 1999
Date of Burial 13 January 2000
Place of Death 124 Kings Road, Newbury (Daughters Address)
Officiating Minister Father John Holder

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

3994 views

I have also had the same thing on Ancestry, saying that someone had died, who was on my tree.They only wanted payment if I got something. I got back to them saying it was a 3rd cousin & our link was Gt Grandfathers. I also said there were Aunties of the man that had died, which had children. Not heard anything else from them, also they said I could answer them via email, I didn't I did it via Ancestry, so they have no other way contact. I did wonder if its a scam.

3931 views

This is the link to the bona vacantia list. There is no Simmonds on it, but there are a few Mills. 41 pages of names!

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100315151704/http://bonavacantia.gov.uk/upl...

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