Through our work in probate genealogy we were proud to work with the BBC on their long-running series Heir Hunters.

The programme, which ran from 2007-18, followed several genealogy firms as they attempt to find missing or unknown heirs, entitled to deceased people’s estates before the British Treasury lawfully collects the money.

Our founder Saul appeared in more than 30 Heir Hunters episodes helping to find heirs far and wide. Here are just a few clips:

Casson: The case of an East End lady who lost her son. After all Saul’s work, will the emergence of the deceased’s will change everything? (July 2009)
Sherry: The case of a Liverpool woman with severe learning difficulties whose mother placed her in care and went on to have a large family, none of whom knew they had an older sister! (February 2010)
Sonntag: In which Saul finds himself in a tattoo parlour, not as a customer, but delivering news to a young lady who lost her father suddenly when she was a child. (February 2010)
Sedgbeer: The case of a Devon lady who was born and died in the same house. Thanks to Saul’s involvement, her ancestors’ derelict cottage on remotest Exmoor is now being restored and repurposed. (March 2011)
Soberg: The case of a nuclear submariner whose estranged daughter spent years trying to find him. Saul battles deep transpennine snow to deliver the emotional news that she was just too late. (April 2012)

Wilkinson: The case of a Cheshire eccentric. A very local case for Saul, with heirs in his childhood village and the revelation of an extra-marital affair between two family members! (August 2018)

Following on from Heir Hunters, Saul was asked to participate in the first series of BBC2’s series A House Through Time, which traced the occupants of a Georgian house in Liverpool. He talked presenter David Olusoga through synagogue marriage records and explained the seating and layout of the synagogue.

After that, Saul was invited to take part in the first series of BBC’s The Empty Housing Scandal (later renamed Britain’s Housing Scandal). He revealed to presenter Matt Allwright the sorts of properties which probate genealogy firms often encounter and the work they do to prepare them for sale and re-occupancy.

Our work has not only featured on national television but also in newspapers, the world over. Here are just a few of the recent articles to feature Brother’s Wish:

UK’s Jewish ‘heir hunter’ tracks down missing relatives who now stand to inherit – the Times of Israel

First World War medal find brings joy to hero’s Norfolk family – Eastern Daily Press

Meet the ancestors with heir hunter Saul – The Jewish News