Finding estates / bank accounts etc of deceased?

cottager

Could be wrong, but I'm inclined to agree with breadwinner and Old Wrinkly: I think it's more likely to be another much more recent death. In which case, with the way the intestate rules work, it could be almost anybody... quite possibly someone unknown in another branch of the family who everyone's lost touch with. And your father may not be the only one potentially entitled to a share.