Beneficiaries

Our Probate Genealogy Work

We have helped solicitors to trace heirs for almost 40 years. The legal profession relies on our expertise in order to track down missing beneficiaries who have been specifically named in a will – these are people who have been named by the deceased, but no-one knows where they are.

However, when someone with no known relatives dies without leaving a will, there are no obvious heirs and so their estate passes to the Crown.

As a result, an industry has grown up, with people searching for missing heirs in the hope that they will earn a fee or percentage of the inheritance should relatives be found. These ‘heir hunters’ act on their own initiative and their research findings are only as accurate as their experience and expertise allow.

We employ more accredited genealogists*, legally qualified and independently regulated staff than any other UK probate research company. Our reputation for thoroughness and integrity is second to none.

Accuracy

For established and reputable probate genealogists such as Anglia Research, accuracy is everything. We don’t just find missing relatives. We also invest considerable time and effort so that we can prove our clients’ legal right to inherit from an estate.

Our commitment to accuracy means that you avoid problems and delays further down the line. Some cases are complex, some relatively simple. Either way, the Government Legal Department (on behalf of the Crown) demands a water-tight case before it will release any funds.

If we have contacted you it is because we believe you are entitled to a share of an inheritance. You may wish to take legal advice, but contact us as soon as you can.

Please don’t hesitate to phone us if you have any concerns. Our staff will go out of their way to explain anything that is unclear. We pride ourselves on the friendliness and approachability of our people and we aim to give every client a personalised service. For example, we’ll provide you with family trees and copies of all our research findings. We also offer a free ‘letterbox’ service for family members who didn’t previously know of each other’s existence.

To find out more about us, see our relatives’ FAQ, code of conduct, and clients’ testimonials. Alternatively, you can browse our case histories to learn more about the fascinating field of probate research.

*members of AGRA, ASGRA and AGI. For more details, please see our accreditation page.

Working in partnership with the National Bereavement Service

National Bereavement Service (NBS) – we’re here when you need us most…

Most people have to take responsibility for practical arrangements after a death just once or twice so are not familiar with the long list of tasks that await them. These include registration, arranging a funeral and dealing with the person’s money and property which may need probate. All this has to be done during a time that is usually emotionally very painful.

The NBS team of advisors can cope with any and every question about what to do after a death. Usually, we have the answer but if we don’t, we will know who does. Our information service is free and impartial, working with people to identify the best solution in their circumstances using straight-forward language. We combine this with empathy and understanding of the experience of bereavement and, if needed, can direct people to longer term sources of emotional support.

Call us on 0800 024 6121, email using info@theNBS.org or use the live chat at www.theNBS.org.

Gale W.

15:12 06 Aug 25

Alex at Anglia research was very helpful especially with any questions I had and helped me with filling out paperwork .

Ken H.

16:27 04 Feb 25

Paul Tilston contacted me from Anglia Research with regard to inheritance I was entitled too. The whole process ran very smoothly. I received my payment and my family tree which was great to see where everyone fitted on the tree.

Adelaine N.

14:22 23 Jan 25

Very impressed with a speedy response from Matt Boardman who couldn’t have been more helpful in locating some missing beneficiaries. I will definitely be using Anglia Research in the future.

Irena N.

10:31 24 Jul 24

I can’t thank Mathew Boardman enough fo his help. At the age of 76 I was suddenly notified by a finance company that they had discovered they were still holding an ISA in the name of my late brother, who had died 18 years ago. As executor I had an obligation to contact beneficiaries of the Will, but no longer had any up to date details for one of them. . I was feeling very stressed but having contacted Anglia and spoken to Mattew it wasn’t many minutes before he had found the up to date address and contact details. An outstanding service ! Thankyou !

Stevyn W

11:25 13 Feb 24

I’m very grateful to Eileen Lavelle at Anglia Research. She kept me posted during research into my family during the ‘heir hunting’ for my late relative Graham Walsh. She was very helpful after the estate was settled providing me with additional information on my extended family. Nothing was too much trouble for her.

James C.

17:32 04 Feb 24

Amazing service, first class professionalism Matthew Boardman and team were very attentive and prompt in responding to all questions and queries we had would recommend to use again in a heartbeat.

Simon R.

17:24 30 Dec 23

After initially making contact with the magnificent Joe Lander, my case was passed to his colleague Oliver. I’d spent several weeks trying myself to locate the person I needed to find, however in less than 24 hours after my initial engagement with Anglia Research Services, Oliver had traced that person. Absolutely wonderful service and I cannot recommend Joe, Oliver and Anglia Research Services highly enough. 5 star rating with my sincere thanks.

David A.

16:40 11 Dec 23

As with many of us, a letter which seemed too good to be true was at first rejected. I contacted other family members who’d had same, and given the follow up calls with Anglia Research, we proceeded. Eileen was fantastic and each time I connected with her was super helpful and fully transparent. Suffice to say, we the research into a family member will was concluded and we were rewarded with a payout. Excellent, informative and ultimately well worth the time to check on how good they really are. Highly recommend to anyone who considers using them.

nina B.

19:04 01 Jun 23

Eileen Butcher was very helpful. I am sight impaired and Eileen arranged for me to have large print letters or emailed information to me. I then had Covid with secondary infections and had not been in touch for some months. Called yesterday and our family tree was emailed to me by return. Am very pleased with the service and would highly recommend.

stephen paul J.

23:48 23 May 23

Very efficient,good communication and good end result used a lady called Carolyn falgate how was very helpful .would recommend

Our Probate Genealogy Work

Accuracy

Working in partnership with the National Bereavement Service

Free Initial Consultation

Compliance & Accreditation

Offices