Finding a beneficiary

GeeJay

Can anyone offer advice to an executor trying to trace a lost beneficiary? I know his name and the address at which he lived over 20 years ago. I can find out his date of birth, but do not know whether he is still alive. At one time the Government Record Office would forward a letter to anyone registered with the NHS if you could provide the name and DOB, but this now seems to have disappeared from their web site.
I have tried writing to the last known address, but have had no response. Any suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks.

PS I know this isn't strictly over 50's money saving.

sleepless_saver

Some ideas - 192.com, electoral roll (via 192.com website) , friends reunited/genes reunited, google him, if he has a profession try his professional body, ask neighbours at last known address.

Julie_J

:)You could try asking for help on a free family history forum - ie Help neded to trace beneficiary - but you mustn't put living peoples names on the forum. You have to register to post messages but its free.

put www and take out spaces

genealogistsforum co uk

or

familytreeforum com

dzug1

Put an ad in the local paper in the area he was last known to live in.

Savvy_Sue

Letter to the local paper might be more effective than an advert, although as executors you probably have a responsibility to advertise in the local paper anyway - I know you're supposed to do the London Gazette - and if no-one gets back to you as a result, you're at liberty to distribute the estate leaving that person out.

I'd suggest a letter as well as the advert, because I don't know how many people read the 'legal' adverts in their local paper. And who reads the London Gazette? Companies looking to buy a house which forms part of the estate as a quick sale, that's who ...

hethmar

Someone on the family tree forum could probably do a search for you to see if a likely death has been recorded.

Owain_Moneysaver

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

And who reads the London Gazette?

In law, everyone is deemed to read the London Gazette.

SailorSam

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

In law, everyone is deemed to read the London Gazette.

Hands up anyone that has ever even seen a copy.

Savvy_Sue

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

In law, everyone is deemed to read the London Gazette.

Yes, but being deemed to have read it in law isn't very helpful if you are trying to find someone who is most unlikely to be reading it!

SailorSam wrote: »

Hands up anyone that has ever even seen a copy.

I think my brother's been sent one, and I've looked at Dad's entry online ...

Which is why I suggested a letter to the local paper for the area this person was last living in rather than a legal notice!

getmore4less

Were they married or likely to have married
Any other siblings or family events they may have attended in the last 20 years.

Do you know if they had children or grandchildren? ( do they become benificiaries if the person has died?)

They might be easier to find on the internet via social networking sites.

GeeJay

Yes the person was married and had two daughters, but at present I have no idea what their names are. I also have no idea where or when the marriage or the sibling births took place.
I am establishing the exact date of birth via a birth certificate, but I now know that their last known address was sold in 1997 (and possibly prior to that).
I will have a look at the family tree forum once I have the exact date of birth. Thanks for that, I didn't notice there was one!
The usual sort of official advert wouldn't have much meaning to the beneficiary as he would not have the slightest expectation of inheriting anything.
I may have to advertise in the local papers to try to find anyone who has any information on the person.