RootsChat.Com

General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: Heir Hunters tv on Friday 14 October 11 17:52 BST (UK)

Title: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Friday 14 October 11 17:52 BST (UK)
is coming to BBC2 soon.
See WDYTYA magazine this month for the inside story...

we will let you know confirmed transmission date when we know it

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: danuslave on Friday 14 October 11 17:54 BST (UK)
Thanks for this
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: 7igerby7he7ail on Friday 14 October 11 18:06 BST (UK)
Used to watch it, but then realised the it was 10 minutes of actual content and the rest was repetitive waffle. Like a lot of otherwise interesting progs they go over and over the same ground.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 14 October 11 18:38 BST (UK)
Excellent news  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Alan b on Saturday 15 October 11 20:36 BST (UK)
Good stuff, look forward to watching it again as it seems ages since we last series on TV.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: helenM123 on Sunday 23 October 11 17:51 BST (UK)
I always enjoyed watching this series until our family was contacted by a firm of "Heir Hunters" We were informed (my brother,sister and myself) that we had been traced as beneficiaries to an estate of a relative on my grandmother on my fathers side of the family but couldn't reveal who until we signed up with them.As my sister and I have been researching our family we could account for everyone way back and couldn't think for the life of us who it could be. My late Dad was an only child and had four cousins,two of whom were deceased,I was asked about any other relatives and mentioned the cousins and the chap from the heir hunting firm said yes he was aware of them and had their details and had been in touch with them too. However we found out the following day,it was infact one of my dad's two remaining cousins who had died. He'd been admitted to hospital and died suddenly over a bank holiday without being able to give details of next of kin,hence the delay in us finding out he had died.Somehow this company had got his details and proceeded to try and sign up relatives. He had only been dead for FIVE days!!! One thing that isn't made clear on this programme is just how large a percentage these companies take from deceased estates, 40% + vat in this case! No wonder they are so keen to beat the competition and sign people up. Needless to say they didn't get a penny out of us.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: patrish on Sunday 23 October 11 18:02 BST (UK)
The percentage charged  depends on which Probate Research Company it is, they all differ,   ours only charged 20% which I thought was reasonable, after all without them we would have had nothing.

Thanks for the info, cant wait for the new series to start  :D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: flipflops on Sunday 23 October 11 18:27 BST (UK)
I'm normally a regular viewer of HH and overall I enjoy it, although  I'm not quite sure how much I'm going to enjoy watching extended and 'repackaged' previous shows.  I got confused enough before when they kept flitting from one story to another, especially when they were very similar ??? This made worse by keep showing the same bit of film over and over again. If they start adding extra footage here and there it will probably blow my mind  :'(

ps can I be the only viewer who doesn't necessarily subscribe to the idea that it is an absolute that it is far better that rather than going to the government,  the money should pass to relatives, no matter how selfish,uncaring and ungrateful they come over as being. Often I think to myself that if the matter was put to a vote I'd vote to let the government have it.  :-*
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Sunday 23 October 11 18:44 BST (UK)

ps can I be the only viewer who doesn't necessarily subscribe to the idea that it is an absolute that it is far better that rather than going to the government,  the money should pass to relatives, no matter how selfish,uncaring and ungrateful they come over as being. Often I think to myself that if the matter was put to a vote I'd vote to let the government have it.  :-*

I love the programme and especially enjoy all the "tit bits" of peoples lives which are revealed, which are really what makes people the people they are.

However, I too feel that in some cases it could well be that the deceased, who have become estranged from their families, may well prefer their estate to go to the government and if they knew that heirhunters and their estranged family were inheriting they may well not be best pleased, which is a sad thought.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Monday 24 October 11 13:54 BST (UK)
I'm normally a regular viewer of HH and overall I enjoy it, although  I'm not quite sure how much I'm going to enjoy watching extended and 'repackaged' previous shows.  I got confused enough before when they kept flitting from one story to another, especially when they were very similar ??? This made worse by keep showing the same bit of film over and over again. If they start adding extra footage here and there it will probably blow my mind  :'(


Don't worry that is not how we have done this - the new parts are story updates, genealogy tips, appeals and social history stories all with a presenter, so it shouldn't be too confusing :) latest Transmission date is looking like mid - late November BBC2 7pm
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Monday 24 October 11 17:25 BST (UK)
I love the programme and thought the balance of elements within it was pretty good.  Have been missing it these past weeks so really pleased to hear this!  Glad to hear there won't be too much repeated footage (as there is in another fam. history series running at the moment, can't remember the name ... think it's on the Yesterday channel ~ dire!).   Looking forward to the new HH series, especially if there will be updates on some of the past stories shown.  Cheers for letting us know  ;D 
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: zempavlob2 on Thursday 27 October 11 15:42 BST (UK)
thanks for letting us know!

Incidentally, is there a list anywhere of all the names of people who have featured in the series? The reason for asking is someone mentioned that a repeat programme, possibly shown in August 2011, and probably from circa 2009, contained names of people that I'm researching eg SMITH, BENNETT.

Would love to be able to view the programme to see if there is any connection and would welcome advice about how to go about this, if it's possible.

thank you 
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: weste on Thursday 27 October 11 20:43 BST (UK)
I must admit i find it strange when the people who are inheriting and don't even know the relative that died. Obviously this can be for a number of reasons. I think i would be embarrased to accept it. Sometimes i think it should go to the government or a central charity fund so that it could be shared out amongst them. Obviously it depends what you inherit as well.  I think a lot of us doing family history would like plenty of old photos and a well preserved family bible for good measure.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Sunday 30 October 11 12:32 GMT (UK)

ps can I be the only viewer who doesn't necessarily subscribe to the idea that it is an absolute that it is far better that rather than going to the government,  the money should pass to relatives, no matter how selfish,uncaring and ungrateful they come over as being. Often I think to myself that if the matter was put to a vote I'd vote to let the government have it.  :-*

I love the programme and especially enjoy all the "tit bits" of peoples lives which are revealed, which are really what makes people the people they are.

However, I too feel that in some cases it could well be that the deceased, who have become estranged from their families, may well prefer their estate to go to the government and if they knew that heirhunters and their estranged family were inheriting they may well not be best pleased, which is a sad thought.

If the person cared that much about where their estate went, surely they would have taken a couple of hours out of their lives to make a will ?  A will doesn't have to name persons to inherit - it's perfectly possible to nominate a charity or charities to inherit.   

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Plummiegirl on Sunday 30 October 11 12:40 GMT (UK)
The comment about not knowing a relative has died, is a bit ambiguous as in many cases the people inheriting had no idea that they had other relatives.   I know that until I started doing my own family history I was stunned to find out that my paternal grandparents came from such large families.

As for making wills, many older people are very superstitious about this, thinking that making a will, will bring their death forward.  And many think that the money will go to their closest family and friends, not understanding the law.  Hence a neighbour who is really kind gets nothing but a distant family member who either does not care or does not know of this person inherits.

I love this show and am really looking forward to the new format.  Liza Faulkner is a great presenter and her enthusiasm will make this a great show.  And I am so looking forward to updates on old cases.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Sunday 30 October 11 12:48 GMT (UK)
I always enjoyed watching this series until our family was contacted by a firm of "Heir Hunters" We were informed (my brother,sister and myself) that we had been traced as beneficiaries to an estate of a relative on my grandmother on my fathers side of the family but couldn't reveal who until we signed up with them.As my sister and I have been researching our family we could account for everyone way back and couldn't think for the life of us who it could be. My late Dad was an only child and had four cousins,two of whom were deceased,I was asked about any other relatives and mentioned the cousins and the chap from the heir hunting firm said yes he was aware of them and had their details and had been in touch with them too. However we found out the following day,it was infact one of my dad's two remaining cousins who had died. He'd been admitted to hospital and died suddenly over a bank holiday without being able to give details of next of kin,hence the delay in us finding out he had died.Somehow this company had got his details and proceeded to try and sign up relatives. He had only been dead for FIVE days!!! One thing that isn't made clear on this programme is just how large a percentage these companies take from deceased estates, 40% + vat in this case! No wonder they are so keen to beat the competition and sign people up. Needless to say they didn't get a penny out of us.

So basically, if an Heir Hunters company hadn't contacted you, you would have been none the wiser that someone had died ? How long would it have taken you to find out ?  I can tell you from experience that it is very difficult (and very time consuming) and very costly to reclaim money, when it has been paid out to people who have a lesser claim to it than you have.  As another poster has already pointed out, the fees that heir hunters charge are usually based on their costs of tracking down all the relatives involved.

When an estate that my sister and I were heirs to, was paid out to the wrong persons, fortunately those who got the money had taken out "Missing Beneficiary Insurance", but it still cost us more than £2000 in legal fees and it took more than a year to get the money, and even then we didn't get it all because they had slightly  under-insured themselves.  Good job really that they had the insurance, because inbetween the payout and us finding out, one of the beneficiaries had himself died, and his estate had been paid out to his children.



Edited by Nick29 to make clearer at 14:44
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Sunday 30 October 11 13:36 GMT (UK)

ps can I be the only viewer who doesn't necessarily subscribe to the idea that it is an absolute that it is far better that rather than going to the government,  the money should pass to relatives, no matter how selfish,uncaring and ungrateful they come over as being. Often I think to myself that if the matter was put to a vote I'd vote to let the government have it.  :-*

I love the programme and especially enjoy all the "tit bits" of peoples lives which are revealed, which are really what makes people the people they are.

However, I too feel that in some cases it could well be that the deceased, who have become estranged from their families, may well prefer their estate to go to the government and if they knew that heirhunters and their estranged family were inheriting they may well not be best pleased, which is a sad thought.

If the person cared that much about where their estate went, surely they would have taken a couple of hours out of their lives to make a will ?  A will doesn't have to name persons to inherit - it's perfectly possible to nominate a charity or charities to inherit.   



Very true Nick   :)     

I hadn't thought of that   ::)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Sunday 30 October 11 14:15 GMT (UK)
I was just shocked to think that there might actually be people out there that would want the government to have their money  ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Sunday 30 October 11 15:55 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: helenM123 on Tuesday 01 November 11 09:56 GMT (UK)
I always enjoyed watching this series until our family was contacted by a firm of "Heir Hunters" We were informed (my brother,sister and myself) that we had been traced as beneficiaries to an estate of a relative on my grandmother on my fathers side of the family but couldn't reveal who until we signed up with them.As my sister and I have been researching our family we could account for everyone way back and couldn't think for the life of us who it could be. My late Dad was an only child and had four cousins,two of whom were deceased,I was asked about any other relatives and mentioned the cousins and the chap from the heir hunting firm said yes he was aware of them and had their details and had been in touch with them too. However we found out the following day,it was infact one of my dad's two remaining cousins who had died. He'd been admitted to hospital and died suddenly over a bank holiday without being able to give details of next of kin,hence the delay in us finding out he had died.Somehow this company had got his details and proceeded to try and sign up relatives. He had only been dead for FIVE days!!! One thing that isn't made clear on this programme is just how large a percentage these companies take from deceased estates, 40% + vat in this case! No wonder they are so keen to beat the competition and sign people up. Needless to say they didn't get a penny out of us.

So basically, if an Heir Hunters company hadn't contacted you, you would have been none the wiser that someone had died ? How long would it have taken you to find out ?  I can tell you from experience that it is very difficult (and very time consuming) and very costly to reclaim money, when it has been paid out to people who have a lesser claim to it than you have.  As another poster has already pointed out, the fees that heir hunters charge are usually based on their costs of tracking down all the relatives involved.

When an estate that my sister and I were heirs to, was paid out to the wrong persons, fortunately those who got the money had taken out "Missing Beneficiary Insurance", but it still cost us more than £2000 in legal fees and it took more than a year to get the money, and even then we didn't get it all because they had slightly  under-insured themselves.  Good job really that they had the insurance, because inbetween the payout and us finding out, one of the beneficiaries had himself died, and his estate had been paid out to his children.



Edited by Nick29 to make clearer at 14:44
[/quoteWell as I saw the person who had died the week previously and he lived nearby yes I would have found out, he died in hospital over a bank holiday weekend without being able to give contact details
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Thursday 03 November 11 12:51 GMT (UK)
Just returned from honeymoon and before I left was told the TX date was the 24th of Oct, thought I was going to miss out on answering 50 calls a day with people asking for jobs or if I can check the list to see if they are due any money.

Now been told that is is probably going to be 7pm BBC2 on the 21st Nov for 2 weeks these will be repeats of the the last series with a further 10 programs to follow in the new year being repeats of the next series. The beeb have rules about who commissioned a program and who there for has paid for it and who can show it first.

A little surprised and shocked by  helenM123 comments 40% + Vat isn't a standard fee, would be interested for find out who it was.

Neil


Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Thursday 03 November 11 13:47 GMT (UK)
Neil - congratulations & best wishes!

Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 03 November 11 13:50 GMT (UK)
Neil - have you ever had anyone asking both for a job, and asking you to check the list ? 

Congratulations on your recent marriage, and I hope you and your wife have a long and happy life together  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: patrish on Thursday 03 November 11 16:35 GMT (UK)
Congratulations on your marriage Neil

Looking forward eagerly to the new series  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: aspin on Thursday 03 November 11 16:54 GMT (UK)
I too like this programme it must be an exciting job searching for all those missing relatives
of deceased people .

Congratulations Neil best wishes to  the two of you for the future

from Elizabeth
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 03 November 11 17:03 GMT (UK)
Congratulations Neil and can't wait for the new series (and the repeats  :) )
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Friday 04 November 11 14:41 GMT (UK)
Let me add my congrats to you too, Neil, and wish you all the best for the future!  Thanks for that info, so we have to wait til the new year for the new series?  :o   Ah well, looking forward to it anyway!
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: flipflops on Friday 04 November 11 15:34 GMT (UK)
Many congratulations!!!

.... miss out on answering 50 calls a day with people asking for jobs or if I can check the list to see if they are due any money.

Trouble is, you make it look to easy!

If other Rootschatters have my experience, it will be the signal for dozens of people to ask A.  Why don't we go to work for you 8) (notwithstanding the odd couple of hundred miles or so distance) or
B) set up in opposition  :-[
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: helenM123 on Saturday 05 November 11 09:05 GMT (UK)
Just returned from honeymoon and before I left was told the TX date was the 24th of Oct, thought I was going to miss out on answering 50 calls a day with people asking for jobs or if I can check the list to see if they are due any money.

Now been told that is is probably going to be 7pm BBC2 on the 21st Nov for 2 weeks these will be repeats of the the last series with a further 10 programs to follow in the new year being repeats of the next series. The beeb have rules about who commissioned a program and who there for has paid for it and who can show it first.

A little surprised and shocked by  helenM123 comments 40% + Vat isn't a standard fee, would be interested for find out who it was.

Neil
Would just like to clarify it wasn't any of the Heir hunting companies featured in the programme who contacted my family.


Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: frostyknight on Wednesday 09 November 11 23:20 GMT (UK)
Really looking forward to the new series of Heir Hunters. I'd also like to add my congratulations to you Neil and your wife. I wish you both a future full of happiness. Frostyknight
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Monday 14 November 11 19:50 GMT (UK)
Thanks for all the messages
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Plummiegirl on Tuesday 15 November 11 15:35 GMT (UK)
New series starts next Monday 7pm BBC 2.  Starting with an update of an old programme.

Cannot wait!!!!!!


Oh and belated congrats on your nuptuals Neil.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Tuesday 15 November 11 15:39 GMT (UK)
Oooh...... thanks for letting us know and I'll be there  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: omega 1 on Wednesday 16 November 11 13:18 GMT (UK)
It seems to be on Monday to Friday but it states repeats in the Tele Guide i bought.

OH, & Congrats to Neil & his Wife :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: PBirchwood on Wednesday 16 November 11 17:13 GMT (UK)
I always enjoyed watching this series until our family was contacted by a firm of "Heir Hunters" We were informed (my brother,sister and myself) that we had been traced as beneficiaries to an estate of a relative on my grandmother on my fathers side of the family but couldn't reveal who until we signed up with them.As my sister and I have been researching our family we could account for everyone way back and couldn't think for the life of us who it could be. My late Dad was an only child and had four cousins,two of whom were deceased,I was asked about any other relatives and mentioned the cousins and the chap from the heir hunting firm said yes he was aware of them and had their details and had been in touch with them too. However we found out the following day,it was infact one of my dad's two remaining cousins who had died. He'd been admitted to hospital and died suddenly over a bank holiday without being able to give details of next of kin,hence the delay in us finding out he had died.Somehow this company had got his details and proceeded to try and sign up relatives. He had only been dead for FIVE days!!! One thing that isn't made clear on this programme is just how large a percentage these companies take from deceased estates, 40% + vat in this case! No wonder they are so keen to beat the competition and sign people up. Needless to say they didn't get a penny out of us.
This is surprising as it doesn't sound like any of the firms that I know. I would be interested in knowing who it was if there's a facility to send a private message.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: carol8353 on Wednesday 16 November 11 17:20 GMT (UK)
PM's can only be sent, and received, once you have made 3 postings.
Sadly those made on the 'General' boards do not count. ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: PBirchwood on Wednesday 16 November 11 17:26 GMT (UK)
When I started working in the missing heir business I was with a firm that had good contacts with one of the large US companies. We would get a lot of cases from them. One fax asked us to look for the next of kin of someone from California. It didn't supply the date of death which we queried. The reply was "She's not dead yet but will be any day now!"
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: candleflame on Wednesday 16 November 11 22:38 GMT (UK)
It seems to be on Monday to Friday but it states repeats in the Tele Guide i bought.

OH, & Congrats to Neil & his Wife :)

My tv guide says revised repeat series 5 .
My congratulations too.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 17 November 11 10:55 GMT (UK)
When I started working in the missing heir business I was with a firm that had good contacts with one of the large US companies. We would get a lot of cases from them. One fax asked us to look for the next of kin of someone from California. It didn't supply the date of death which we queried. The reply was "She's not dead yet but will be any day now!"

It's great to see one of the other heir hunting companies posting here, and we hope you will stick around and pop in whenever you can.   I'm sure you have many amusing stories to tell.  Heir Hunters is a very interesting programme, because it shows a few companies of differing sizes, all with their own ways of operating, and I hope this format continues in the forthcoming series.  Although it's really interesting to see how Fraser and Fraser operates, the smaller companies are very interesting too.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Thursday 17 November 11 14:05 GMT (UK)
I agree Nick, it's one of the strengths of the programme I think, that we see different companies and how they go about similar tasks.  I love to see that guy working from his shed, it fascinates me!  Is that Mr. Birchwood? I think it might be.  Wish I had a shed like that to work from!  ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Blue70 on Tuesday 22 November 11 01:31 GMT (UK)
Hopefully this Heir Hunters re-mix will prove popular and the next series will have an evening spot in the schedules.

C
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 22 November 11 10:14 GMT (UK)
I found the new series to be very enjoyable, and it was great to see the lovely Lisa Faulkner 'in the flesh' and not just as a voice-over.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Blue70 on Tuesday 22 November 11 11:18 GMT (UK)
I remembered seeing the original episode when it was first broadcast but it was good to have an update on the Latvian heirs. My only criticism is there should have been a photo, map or something as a visual to show what they had discovered in Latvia.

C
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 22 November 11 12:28 GMT (UK)
I think the problem with the Latvia thing was that the case hadn't quite been completed when the interview was recorded.  I recall the comment that the heirs were being paid out on the day the recording was made.  I'm sure after all that work, they didn't want anything to go wrong at the last moment.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Tuesday 22 November 11 13:20 GMT (UK)
I thought the first of the new series last night was brilliant!  Really enjoyed it.  I remembered the original stories so it was good to have a recap and update.  Loved the piece about the 1940s fashions and how that connected with the model, so refreshing to focus on a woman's perspective.  I think this series has always presented a good balance between women's and men's perspectives.  So often social history on TV tends to focus on men's occupations, the military and so on.  Interesting though that is, women do make up half the population and have also done interesting and worthwhile things in their lives!

I liked the hour long format, it allowed some indepth content and the time was used really well I think.  We got more info on the Bona Vacantia list and how that works which was also good.  All in all, I thought it was well presented, well balanced, informative and entertaining.  Great stuff ~ can't wait for the next one!  ;D   
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Tuesday 22 November 11 13:54 GMT (UK)
Just watched last night's programme (I'm recording them) and was impressed. I had seen the original but the extra information was well done and interesting rather than feeling like additional padding. I hope the series continues in the same way.

I appreciate the first broadcast was probably too soon after the publication & acceptance of the claim to allow for time to gather the extra material, but this did enhance the programme as far I was concerned. Perhaps "heir hunters tv" can tell us which way the next completely new series (2012 I assume) will go?
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Blue70 on Tuesday 22 November 11 19:33 GMT (UK)
I'm glad tonight's re-mix corrected the mistake on the original show that said the destruction by fire of public records at the Four Courts was at the time of the Easter Rising. It was during the later civil war between pro and anti treaty factions. It failed to mention though that some records were just destroyed and it had nothing to do with the politics of the time.

C   
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: flipflops on Wednesday 23 November 11 12:48 GMT (UK)
I thought the first of the new series last night was brilliant!  Really enjoyed it.  I remembered the original stories so it was good to have a recap and update. 

Many thanks for reminding me this was on - thanks to you guys I was in time to catch it on iplayer ;D

Yes. I enjoyed it too! I liked Lisa Faulkner, appreciated the info on bona vacantia estates and the way it just flowed.

Looking foward to the rest of the series.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Wednesday 23 November 11 16:07 GMT (UK)
Hi all,

Glad you are enjoying the Prime Time shows - they continue tonight and all this week and next. Watch out for Neil in upcoming shows.

I can confirm that the new series is in the can in both daytime and primetime formats.... due to air early 2012 (sorry for the delay).

Re the Latvian case we didn't want to include a map as we can't reveal the names or locations of the newly found heirs for privacy reasons.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: stonechat on Wednesday 23 November 11 17:10 GMT (UK)
First one I have seen last night about the tragic story of ?Maureen Chapman

Interesting stuff
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Thursday 24 November 11 10:02 GMT (UK)
not many shows with me in, I don't think "heir hunters tv" likes putting me on screen"

We had a talk about hh7 last week (this is not the series due out in early 2012, but the one we haven't filmed yet) the format is going to be revised a little more, including some of the things from the prime time program and a bit more explanation of different bits of research and history. Things have changed so much since 2005 when we filmed the first series the research is so much quicker that it was felt they should refresh it a bit more.

So what would you like to see more of (not Ewart or Bob in tight fitting ....) in Heir Hunters?

and if you were wanting to film a totally new program with, history and genealogy at its core what would it be?

feel free to drop me a email or Message or post here. (will probably get told I should have made a new topic!)


Neil

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Thursday 24 November 11 10:07 GMT (UK)
Neil is on tonight  ;D chatting with Lisa about unusual things that can make up an estate. BBC 2 7pm
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 24 November 11 12:02 GMT (UK)
Strangely enough, I would like to see more about how estate assets are distributed, not so much the money, but personal effects.  These would, I assume, be items that could be valuable, and other items with only sentimental value.  Are the less valuable items left for the families to squabble over ?



Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Thursday 24 November 11 12:46 GMT (UK)
And that is one topic covered by Neil tonight..... no hard and fast rules but he explains how they tackle it... Tonight BBC2 7pm
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 24 November 11 15:29 GMT (UK)
Thanks !  :)  I'll be watching all the programmes this week, and I'll look forward to tonight's programme.

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: stonechat on Thursday 24 November 11 16:24 GMT (UK)
Going over to Dad's tonight so unlikely to see this
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Thursday 24 November 11 17:09 GMT (UK)
You can watch it on BBC iPlayer :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: stonechat on Thursday 24 November 11 17:52 GMT (UK)
I could record it but the backlog of progs to watch gets too much sometimes
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Ringrose on Thursday 24 November 11 18:51 GMT (UK)
I don't think I want to watch Heir Hunters more than once a week.The programes like a lot of programmes now do have alot of repetition.I would also prefer one story to be finished and not split into 2 parts.There has been some interesting background information about research and social history
I will record some and look at them at intervals.The presenter does a good job and looks as though she is enjoying it.
Ringrose
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Blue70 on Thursday 24 November 11 18:55 GMT (UK)
I'd like to see less "stock" footage visuals of stuff like the postman with the long hair walking past the building and more visuals showing the different parts of the country involved. I know there's privacy issues but shots of local landmarks and a general map would tell us more about the heirs' background.  

C
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Parmesan on Thursday 24 November 11 23:43 GMT (UK)
I've come to this discussion so excuse me if this has been mentioned.

It's a new series, yes?  The stories are repeats though.

AND THE PLINKY PLONKY MUSIC IS STILL THERE AND STILL IRRITATING!
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Friday 25 November 11 10:11 GMT (UK)
This series re-visits stories covered in past episodes, when there have been developments since the episode was first aired. 

As stated previously, there is a brand new series 'in the can' which Heir Hunters TV say will be aired early in 2012.

As far as the music goes, it is by an established musician, and I quite liked it at first, but you can have too much of a good thing  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Friday 25 November 11 12:00 GMT (UK)
I'm still enjoying the series, really really good.  I agree that Lisa, the presenter, seems to be genuinely interested in the subject matter.  I also agree with CGR1970 when s/he said twould be nice to have a map/shots of local area just to give a geographical context to viewers unfamiliar with the area in question.  Oh and I actually like the plinky plonky music!

I enjoying the discussion between Lisa and Neil about asset distribution (Thursday's prog), you know, what happened to the herd of cows, paintings and heirlooms, etc.  Sounds like everything worth something in general terms is sold off and added to the total monetary value of the estate.  Still not too sure what happens to other personal valuables like photo albums, documents, stamp collections, etc.  If the heirs themselves aren't interested they could surely be passed on to local archives or something?

Neil, you asked about what we'd like to see more of in Heir Hunters.  I do think that the balance of different elements in this week's series is very good.  I especially like it when there is a focus on the interactions between office team members, as well as the travelling workers, when they are putting all the info together, coming across problems, chasing down potential heirs.  I am interested most in the research process itself and the challenges that throws up for everyone involved.  More info on the sources used, eg. directories and stuff, would be good too, I think.     
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Friday 25 November 11 13:41 GMT (UK)
Sounds like everything worth something in general terms is sold off and added to the total monetary value of the estate.  Still not too sure what happens to other personal valuables like photo albums, documents, stamp collections, etc.  If the heirs themselves aren't interested they could surely be passed on to local archives or something?

Just watched yesterday's programme - IIRC Neil said that personal items such as photos were given to the family. If there's a large number of heirs that could be interesting!

I have to admit that as I recorded this (as most other TV I watch) I've skipped/fast-forwarded the bits I remember & watched the new material.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Friday 25 November 11 16:27 GMT (UK)
I'm still enjoying the series, really really good.  I agree that Lisa, the presenter, seems to be genuinely interested in the subject matter. 

Lisa's lovely.  My wife and I were particularly struck with her when she was on Celebrity Masterchef last year, and when she started she was so flustered she got into a complete mess.  However, she stuck with it, and ended up winning it.  She's also appearing in next week's "Death In Paradise" on BBC1 next Tuesday (29th) at 9:00PM.  It will be nice to see her in an acting role again.

Back on topic, I enjoyed Neils explanations of how an estate is settled, but I'd still like to know how disputes on low-value items would be settled.  Maybe heir hunters don't get involved with that - I can understand why they wouldn't  :)

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Parmesan on Friday 25 November 11 16:39 GMT (UK)
This series re-visits stories covered in past episodes, when there have been developments since the episode was first aired. 

As stated previously, there is a brand new series 'in the can' which Heir Hunters TV say will be aired early in 2012.

As far as the music goes, it is by an established musician, and I quite liked it at first, but you can have too much of a good thing  :)

Thanks for the explanation Nick.  Established or not, the music drives me nuts!  I wish I had a button that wipes out background sounds and not only this programme either!
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Friday 25 November 11 16:59 GMT (UK)
The writer of the music was Daniel Mulhern, who has written music for quite a few TV programmes.  I don't think it's so much a problem with the music - it's a problem with the repetitive mixing of the same clips over and over again  :)

http://www.synclinks.co.uk/composer-detail/_/8/daniel-mulhern/credits
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Parmesan on Friday 25 November 11 17:09 GMT (UK)
  I don't think it's so much a problem with the music - it's a problem with the repetitive mixing of the same clips over and over again  :)


Absoloodle!  ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: madpants on Friday 25 November 11 19:34 GMT (UK)
I've just seen this thread, belated congratulations Neil  :)

I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but I'd love to know if any one of the names from the Bona Vacantia lists featured on the programmes has ever been solved and heirs found.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: carol8353 on Friday 25 November 11 20:44 GMT (UK)
Yes I wondered that too,and also are more people making wills now Lisa Faulkener has told them to do so  ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: flipflops on Friday 25 November 11 21:49 GMT (UK)

I'm not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but I'd love to know if any one of the names from the Bona Vacantia lists featured on the programmes has ever been solved and heirs found.

Yes! That's something I'd be interested to know - another is what the travelling researchers do on Monday - Wednesday (presumably they spend Friday lying down in a dark room ;D)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Saturday 26 November 11 11:01 GMT (UK)
I think they have a party on Fridays (only joking, Neil !)  ;D

I was watching last night's programme, and I had a real shock - David Pacifico actually broke into a grin !  :o  :D

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: purplekat on Saturday 26 November 11 11:36 GMT (UK)
So it was on last night then, I was really annoyed as I was expecting to watch it after It Takes Two but BBC Scotland showed Landward  >:(
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Saturday 26 November 11 13:16 GMT (UK)
You can watch it on iPlayer  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: purplekat on Saturday 26 November 11 13:35 GMT (UK)
I could do Nick or it could be that we're one behind, just checked the TV Times and Monday's programme is about a cricket fan who died in Durham and a German prisoner of war, is that the one you watched yesterday?  Next Friday is Landward again but this time I'll be ready for it and watch the One show ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Saturday 26 November 11 13:35 GMT (UK)
The writer of the music was Daniel Mulhern, who has written music for quite a few TV programmes.  I don't think it's so much a problem with the music - it's a problem with the repetitive mixing of the same clips over and over again  :)

Not just the music- we're also getting the same bits from the two Bona Vacantia people on each programme.

Also, without checking on i-player, didn't the advice on the order in intestacy go from spouse to parents & omit children, though they got a mention later?
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: genjan1953 on Saturday 26 November 11 14:10 GMT (UK)
I was watching last night's programme, and I had a real shock - David Pacifico actually broke into a grin ! :o :D

Good grief Nick I didn't notice that! How very odd!  ;D  Poor David, aren't we mean!  And we haven't seen Ewart being sent up on a wild goose chase to Scotland yet (he's based in the Watford area I think, hehe)  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Saturday 26 November 11 14:18 GMT (UK)
Do you know what..............I actually like David Pacifico and it doesn't bother me that he's sometimes a little serious...........it's just his way, I believe.

The music doesn't bother me, although I sometimes think a commercial break is coming up and then I realise it's just the music and a change in subject.......and of course it's a BBC channel.

I love the programme as it is with a good mix of peoples stories and Fraser and Fraser office life.

My only wish is that it would be shown on alternate days as I don't always have the time to spare each day to watch it and if I record it I end up with too big a back log and therefore still don't watch them all.  Actually only seen 3 out of 5 so far this week. Hope to catch up over the weekend.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Saturday 26 November 11 14:36 GMT (UK)
I could do Nick or it could be that we're one behind, just checked the TV Times and Monday's programme is about a cricket fan who died in Durham and a German prisoner of war, is that the one you watched yesterday?  Next Friday is Landward again but this time I'll be ready for it and watch the One show ;D

This is the synopsis of the programme aired on Friday :

"David Bernstein died alone in a derelict house Brighton, leaving an estate worth around 300,000 pounds. David was from a Jewish immigrant family, and with Bernstein an extremely common name, the team have their work cut out.

The heir hunters also investigate the estate of music fanatic Donald Foster, whose family worked at the famous Cadbury factory in Birmingham. Plus, details of three unsolved cases. "


Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: purplekat on Saturday 26 November 11 15:06 GMT (UK)
Thanks Nick, I think I'll watch it on iplayer so I don't miss out  :)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Monday 28 November 11 13:57 GMT (UK)

Not just the music- we're also getting the same bits from the two Bona Vacantia people on each programme.

Also, without checking on i-player, didn't the advice on the order in intestacy go from spouse to parents & omit children, though they got a mention later?

Hi - our order of intestacy did include children in the voice over...

Also yes we realise the BV interviews can get a bit repetitive (they are not the same every show) - when we planned the programmes we thought they we going out weekly (no excuse) and we also had limited time and topics to discuss with the treasury

Hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the shows this week

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Jean McGurn on Monday 28 November 11 15:18 GMT (UK)
I am finding this one hour show is so much better than the half hour shows. Not only is there more content but the info about what you have to do if you find you are connected to one of the names given out was very informative.

I found it interesting to that anyone adopted into a family would be regarded as being a 'blood' relative so could be in for part of an inheritance I always thought you had to be mentioned in a will or you would be totally ignored. 

Love the extra bits of info such as Donald Foster's war records last week.

Jean
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Eking on Monday 28 November 11 18:20 GMT (UK)

Also, without checking on i-player, didn't the advice on the order in intestacy go from spouse to parents & omit children, though they got a mention later?

Hi - our order of intestacy did include children in the voice over...



I just came on here to post same as  author=mshrmh. I thought it was very misleading with the graphic not including children as well.  I need to re-watch it but I think they only mentioned children when started talking about adopted.
I hope this is corrected in a later episode/series.


Still  it might make more people make a will if they think their sibling may get their assets as opposed to their children. 


Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Tuesday 29 November 11 10:27 GMT (UK)
quick reply to all the questions as I have several new cases on and it is only Tuesday!

Some of the guys on the road are part time, but most are working all the time on different cases, what Heir Hunters has concentrated on is BV cases, the next series we film will have a lot more of the none BV cases as the list is not as good as it once was. Ewart is currently in Jamaica and will be for the next 2 weeks (yes it is a work trip)

As far as I know only 2 cases from the program have been solved as a result of info coming in. One was in series 1 when a case appears to have never been worked, it was fairly easy to solve all the info did was get us to have a look at it. the 2nd case was one we have always called the skeleton case, I cant remember the name now but it was in series 2 and 3 I think and was about a skeleton that was found in a burnt out building  and had been there for several years, we got info that enabled us to prove the case, with out this the case may never have been solved.

I would like to do more on the appeal section of the program, give a better explanation and reason why the case is unsolved, at the moment the BBC just like putting more names out, how ever the new appeal section with Lisa and a little more research is going down well. so I hope in series 7 they may listen to me!

It can be very hard if there are lots of heirs to give out personal items when more than 1 person wants them so far we have not had a huge amount of arguments about any thing and usually just split the items to be shared out.
Most of the items we do recover however are of such poor quality and low value that not many people want them. Expensive jewellery is hardly ever found by us, remember that in most cases it takes 12 months before we get the property and in some cases you never know who has had there grubby hands on the estate. (I am sorry but that is just a fact of life so doesn't need much discussion, if cases got to us quicker we could protect the estate far more, TSol are doing there best to protect the estate but it takes several months to come to them and they are not the bad guys)

Sorry not going to give away all the trade secrets! "More info on the sources used, eg. directories and stuff" but will do my best to explain a little more.

Neil

and why has no one asked for more of me on screen!

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: madpants on Tuesday 29 November 11 10:52 GMT (UK)
and why has no one asked for more of me on screen!



LOL  ;D  We're all too shy Neil, we wouldn't like to scare you off  ;)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Tuesday 29 November 11 12:30 GMT (UK)
and why has no one asked for more of me on screen!



LOL  ;D  We're all too shy Neil, we wouldn't like to scare you off  ;)

 ;D ;D ;D  I thought you were on last nights programme for quite a while chatting with Lisa about regional surnames, which was interesting.   That's what I love about Heirhunters.....the variety of information and good mix of stories.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 29 November 11 12:44 GMT (UK)
Did anyone see the 'gaffe' on last night's show ?  One of Fraser and Fraser's researchers was shown driving away, with his car number plate carefully blurred out, and in the very next scene he's shown arriving at another location with the plate in full view !  :o

Ooops !  :D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: ReadyDale on Tuesday 29 November 11 12:57 GMT (UK)
Yes, I saw that too Nick.
Someone in the continuity dept is in trouble.

A first for me last night - a name on the unsolved cases list of someone I knew. Unfortunately not a relative, so no money heading my way, but a bit of a "Hang on!! Rewind" moment!  :o
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Heir Hunters tv on Tuesday 29 November 11 12:59 GMT (UK)
Did anyone see the 'gaffe' on last night's show ?  One of Fraser and Fraser's researchers was shown driving away, with his car number plate carefully blurred out, and in the very next scene he's shown arriving at another location with the plate in full view !  :o

Ooops !  :D

Thanks for that the 'gaffe' was in fact that it was blurred
 we don't blur Fraser's number plates it was an over enthusiastic editor....
(we have on occasion blurred random passing cars).

No one will be fired...
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 29 November 11 13:02 GMT (UK)
Thanks for that  :)

I thought maybe the plates were blurred to stop the competition following Fraser & Fraser's researchers around  ;)

Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Tuesday 29 November 11 13:45 GMT (UK)
must get those blurred number plates changed i am sure the DVLA wouldn't like it.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Nick29 on Tuesday 29 November 11 14:35 GMT (UK)
It must save you a fortune on congestion charges, Neil ?  ;)
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: FraserandFraser on Tuesday 29 November 11 14:38 GMT (UK)
All our cars are Honda Hybrid's so we don't pay any way, but may do when I solve the case that gets me that Ferrari I could try.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Petros on Tuesday 29 November 11 16:43 GMT (UK)
The add ons, to the originals, are interesting.

The regional surname tool looked useful, and different from that on line, which maps 1881 or 1998 distributions on to a map of postcodes (rather than counties). Seeing Lisa's surname distribution was especially interesting since I have cousins of that name, who come from the centre of that concentration of the name.

The second story was also of interest as we knew a German, also from East Prussia, who had settled in Berkshire after his time as a POW. Although he married an Italian rather than English girl.
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Thursday 16 February 12 10:52 GMT (UK)
My memory may be at fault & I haven't re-read the thread, but wasn't there supposed to be a new series early in the new year - wondering when we can expect it?
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: patrish on Thursday 16 February 12 11:41 GMT (UK)
I seem to recall that as well
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: Plummiegirl on Thursday 16 February 12 16:18 GMT (UK)
When is the new series being shown?  We were told that the first few would be/and were updates on older cases.  But were stopped for Christmas.  Well Easter is nearly upon us and we are still waiting........... :'(
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: ReadyDale on Tuesday 10 April 12 10:13 BST (UK)
According to my Sky Planner, the new series (Series 6) starts on Monday 16th. Looks like it's on for five weeks ("episode 1/25").
Confirmed on BBC website. ;D
Title: Re: Heir Hunters prime time
Post by: mshrmh on Tuesday 10 April 12 14:39 BST (UK)
Heir Hunters TV started a new thread for the new series:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,586267.msg4383779.html#msg4383779

(I haven't checked the schedules yet so thank for the reminder).