Dubbed “Location, Location, Location vs. Who Do You Think You Are?” by the press, the first episode Key to a Fortune was broadcast at the end of last month on Channel 4, and we heavily featured our team of genealogists.
The series delves into the stories of individuals unexpectedly inheriting properties from distant relatives, highlighting the emotional decision-making process of whether to retain or sell their newfound assets.
The show follows unsuspecting heirs traced by probate genealogists just like us who receive the news of a most unexpected inheritance. The show reveals the personal stories of the identified heirs and the historical family link of the properties concerned. The cameras record what are at times emotional decisions on what to do with the properties.
The first episode featured Storme, a lady we identified as the entitled beneficiary of an unclaimed estate. Our Case Director Matthew Boardman, who featured prominently in the one-hour show, ably supported by colleague Richard Turvey, was shown identifying Storme through genealogical research and making the initial contact with her.
Matthew broke the news to Storme that she had inherited a cottage in Kent from, it turned out, a distant relative that she had never met. In the daily work we undertake, this is not an uncommon scenario.
The episode also captures the moment that Storme and her daughter first see the property together, recording the emotions brought up by this old family property with plenty of potential, close by to the cathedral city of Canterbury.
Overall, we were delighted to have our work showcased in such a manner and were proud to be entrusted with the very first episode.
Hosted by Jean Johannson, the series continues Sunday afternoons on Channel 4 featuring other firms from the probate genealogy sector. The first episode is available on Channel 4 catch-up.
