Full announcement here.

No significant content changes as such – as yet. But hopefully a slightly clearer layout and faster page-load; based on a well-tried and reliable CMS.

If you come across a broken-link, or any other problems, following this change-over; please let us know, via the Contact page.

Eighteen years ago, it was essential to be based in Central London – to access the central birth, marriage and death indexes; all research was carried-out using paper or microfilm indexes; and word processors and in-office databases were still quite a ‘new’ idea. Now however, in-house and online databases have removed the need for a London location (there is not even a London index search room anymore) and IT features in just about every aspect of our business activities.

Eighteen years of considerable and significant change in the methods and research resources used to identify and locate missing beneficiaries; but the reasons and needs for effective genealogical research remain the same. People still die intestate; legatees still move address and ‘disappear’ and family relationships still have to be mapped-out and confirmed. In-fact, in many ways, there is now more of a need – as the chances of a ‘missing’ beneficiary ‘reappearing’ are greater. Some of those new resources that we might use in finding someone, might also by used by a ‘missing’ beneficiary to trace their own family tree as a hobby and inadvertently bring-about a claim on an estate. In many cases; up to twelve years after the original distribution!

It is therefore just as important as ever, that research carried-out in connection with any estate matter should be done thoroughly and against a background of experience and knowledge of the legal provisions surrounding inheritance.

Payton & Tate has that experience and the resources to deal with virtually any estate-related genealogical research matter; from obtaining a birth certificate to tracing maybe 150 or more beneficiaries in an intestate estate. All the time however, with intention that the research is as complete as it can be, within the resources available – and that the eventual distribution is made correctly and safely.

Of course; eighteen years doesn’t seem all that long when compared to Principal John Tate’s thirty-five years as a probate genealogist. Things were even more different when he started with Alfred A Smith & Son in 1974. But that is another story!