Unclaimed estates

[jinks]

Whilst searching for ancestors on google (I do this sometimes when I hit a brick wall) up popped a website about unclaimed estates (Its probably been there all the time BUT never seen it)

I came across a gentleman called Bartley James Smith born 17th December 1892 Manchester and died 22nd December 1991 Leeds. 99 Years old!

So like you do when you have an interest in genealogy I went digging.

I couldn't find much

In the 1901 he is living with his Mother Mary born Ireland and a Charwoman.

In the 1911 Census he is in a fever hospital!

So he was hospitalized at the age of 19 with fever survived it, lived to be 99, didn't leave a will
so his money now goes to the crown

Anyone else think this is particularly sad and can anyone add to it?

[Rosinish]

I can't add anything but yes it's sad & I've always wondered what the 'Crown' do with such inheritance?

It would be nice to know just where exactly the £ goes.

Annie

[Gadget]

I can't add anything but yes it's sad & I've always wondered what the 'Crown' do with such inheritance?

It would be nice to know just where exactly the £ goes.

Annie

https://www.gov.uk/unclaimed-estates-bona-vacantia

[jinks]

Actually registered March Qtr 1899!

[jinks]

I had presumed that Mary was an unmarried Mother 

BUT

1899 SMITH   Bartley J E   MAHON   Central   Archives+, Manchester Central Library   CEN/40/11

[Rosinish]

What was her status on the 1901 census...S/M/W?

Annie

[Rosinish]

https://www.gov.uk/unclaimed-estates-bona-vacantia

I know the site Gadget but I don't see where the £ is spent, maybe I've missed where it states such?

Annie

[KGarrad]

From the Bona Vacantia website:

‘Bona Vacantia’ means vacant goods and is the name given to ownerless property, which by law passes to the Crown.

The Treasury Solicitor acts for the Crown to administer the estates of people who die intestate (without a Will) and without known kin (entitled blood relatives) and collect the assets of dissolved companies and other various ownerless goods in England and Wales.

The money therefore goes into the Treasury coffers.

[jinks]

Annie

On the 1901 Census Mary is the head of household so it doesn't say
I have looked for other children Smith - Mahon and there doesn't seem to be any

The only marriage in England and Wales for a Mary Mahon to a Smith at roughly the right time (1895) was in Yorkshire to a Sidney Smith of course the marriage might have taken place in Ireland

I am going search for the Bartley connection now - Maybe it comes from the Smith line