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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: candleflame on Monday 29 February 16 09:30 GMT (UK)
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Hi all
Had a search but hadn't seen a thread about this. New series today Monday 29th February 2016
BBC 1 9.15 am repeated BBC 2 tomorrow 6.15 am. Presumably will also be on iplayer too.
Finders are doing a case at the minute. I wonder if our old friends Fraser and Fraser will be on this time?
Update - they are on doing a case now 😀.
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And they've still got those nice red chairs ;D
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Thanks for that, I've set it to record as I never put the television on until the evening.
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Recorded it whilst I did a few jobs,about to sit down with a coffee and watch it now ;D ;D ;D
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Thanks for reminding us. I don't know whether I dare ask OH to record it we still have a few from the last series we haven't watched ;D
Rosie
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Thanks for this! Only yesterday, I was wondering to myself if they still made that program!! :)
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The fact they make new series must mean it is popular, so I wonder why they insist on showing it in the mornings when people are at work, or busy? I'd much prefer it to be on in the evening.
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The fact they make new series must mean it is popular, so I wonder why they insist on showing it in the mornings when people are at work, or busy? I'd much prefer it to be on in the evening.
I think they expect so many people will either record it or watch it on Iplayer or suchlike nowadays.
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That was my downfall Carol. Putting it on series record then not watching it regularly.
Rosie
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I would love to be able to draw up charts the way they do but with more generations. Have done 'mini' charts for individual families but never have time to merge them all into one tree.
I too record it and watch in when I'm on my own and can concentrate!!!!!!!!!!!
Aquilegia18
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I watched this just now. I usually find it interesting but still get annoyed when they have to go back to the draw[r]ing board ::)
Kooky
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Thanks for reminding us of the new series.
Yes, its on too early when most folks are at work, walking the dog etc.
It could replace some of the rubbish on in the evenings.
Must get it on catch up tonight - mostly rubbish on!!!!
Dorrie
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I still find it amazing that people who have had good jobs don't leave wills. I would think if you don't have family, there is even more reason to make a will so that your money goes where you want it to, not to strangers or even the government. For instance in today's programme, Bob was obviously very close to his friend's family and they regarded him as an uncle, so it seems a shame that what he had didn't go to them.
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I still find it amazing that people who have had good jobs don't leave wills. I would think if you don't have family, there is even more reason to make a will so that your money goes where you want it to, not to strangers or even the government. For instance in today's programme, Bob was obviously very close to his friend's family and they regarded him as an uncle, so it seems a shame that what he had didn't go to them.
BIB - watch the end of the programme again and that will answer that point for you
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I know he didn't have much, but you would still think he would have left a will.
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I have one of those very long family tree charts. It must be nearly 6ft long. I got it as I received an inheritance from a family member I did not know about on my greatgrandma's side of the family. I am really pleased that I was able to get a copy. Just wish I could have got all the certificates they had to get..
cheers
anne
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Just wish I could have got all the certificates they had to get..
This has always interested me. Did they just offer the tree, or did you have to ask for that. Also did they leave it open for you to ask for anything else.
It would be a shame if they refused to give copies of certificates they had to purchase to complete their research. They could even do it for free so as to avoid any disputes about selling certificates as the fees they receive should more than cover the odd 10 pence for a photocopy here and there. And of course there is nothing to stop a grateful heir making them a small donation if they go above and beyond in the help they give.
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yes they gave everyone who received the inheritance a copy of the tree. I did send a letter asking about the certificates but got no reply...
cheers
anne
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That is disappointing Anne.
Thank you for replying.
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Well being off work myself with the flu, I have enjoyed watching 2 episodes so far and have the rest on record to watch later. Now what I want to know is how do they get their certificates so quickly, obviously they don't pay £9.25 and wait 3 weeks like I just have. Do they pay £23.40 for a speedy service cert and get them the next day or do they have some kind of professional relationship with the GRO and get them at a discounted price in bulk? I just wish I had the means to buy as many as I would like to, maybe when I win the Lotto. ::)
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No there are no discounts. Neil from Fraser & Fraser confirmed on here a few years ago that they have to pay the same fees as everybody else, which when you think about it is fair as they are only buying the certificates to make money. If you do a search you may be able to find the post)
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No there are no discounts. Neil from Fraser & Fraser confirmed on here a few years ago that they have to pay the same fees as everybody else, which when you think about it is fair as they are only buying the certificates to make money. If you do a search you may be able to find the post)
Ouch that is EXPENSIVE but of course they are doing it to make a profit unlike us poor old souls :-\
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Was Heir Hunters recorded?
I am not sure that express while-you-wait is available any more. Is it only available from the main office within a registration district?
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Followed this series previous. What a fab dream job!!! Would love to work in this environment. Does any know how much commission is gained from a case for the hunters?
Cas
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It must be a fair bit Cas as they do put a lot of resources into it, they have the office researchers, buying all the many certs needed and the men out on the road driving all over the country getting people to sign up, so it must be worth their while.......
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I heard a figure of 40% - dunno tho, so dont quote me !
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Here's one of the previous threads that Neil Fraser from Fraser and Fraser has answered some of our previous queries on.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=467825.msg5570997#msg5570997
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Different firms charge different commission rates. They need to earn a reasonable commission, the overheads must be pretty hefty, especially for big firms like F&F. As well as their offices there are staff salaries, and travel allowances for those covering the many miles out on the road, not to mention all the certificates needed. Then there are many cases that come to nothing, so there is no commission to cover the costs paid out on them.
Jebber
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Here's one of the previous threads that Neil Fraser from Fraser and Fraser has answered some of our previous queries on.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=467825.msg5570997#msg5570997
Thank you, well if I had no idea I was a beneficiary and somebody came along and offered me 60% and they kept 40% I would be quite happy with that as 60% is better than nowt. ;D
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Me too....many of the beneficiaries would never have known if it wasn't for these researchers, so I would take what came my way with grateful thanks.
Carol
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Well I can say that I was greatful as I had no idea that I would get any money and it was a nice surprise.
cheers
anne
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but if you are approached, you can decline and make a claim of your own to the Treasury Solicitor.
https://www.gov.uk/unclaimed-estates-bona-vacantia/overview
Is it worth giving them possibly 40% when they may have done very little in the way of tracing research or taken very little time to find you? ie another family member may have told them about you or they have looked at online electoral registers because you haven't opted out or the BT phone book if you aren't ex-directory.
As to the actual process, the heir hunting company will/may have purchased certificates and the costs of those will come out of the estate before distribution. If you are approached, you may be asked to send a copy of your own certificates, this keeps costs down but if you are unwilling or unable to supply copies, they will order them anyway.
If you would like to see any certificates that have been used to compile the tree, contact the personal representive but they may be unwilling to share because of data protection policies. Some people may state that they do not want their details shared or to be contacted by estranged family members.
The GRO are unable to offer discounts as the statutory cost is currently £9.25
Local register offices charge a bit more as they are no longer part of the GRO (£10+), they are employed by local authorities now.
And as lovely as the tree is, the cost of producing however many copies will come out of the estate so you will have paid for it in a roundabout way.