Reuniting a Family Separated by War: An International Heir Tracing Case by Finders International

Finders International has completed one of our most complex cross‑border heir tracing investigations, reuniting the estate of Jozef Domanski — a Polish man taken by the Nazis as a child — with his surviving family in Poland. This long-running probate research case spans more than 80 years and highlights the importance of international collaboration in locating next of kin.

A Wartime Childhood Lost

Nazi forces seized Jozef from his home in 1940 when he was just 14 years old and forced him into labour in Germany. After the war, he chose to rebuild his life in Britain. He settled in the Midlands and later in Essex, working steadily and living alone. Although he exchanged letters with his family for many years, he never returned to Poland or saw them again.

A Complex International Investigation

When Jozef died without any known next of kin, the local authority referred the case to Finders International. Our team launched a detailed, multi‑country investigation, working closely with researchers in the UK, Germany and Poland. Together, we traced surviving relatives, verified historic documents, and reconstructed the family history needed to confirm lawful heirs.
This collaborative approach allowed us to piece together Jozef’s life and identify the relatives entitled to inherit his estate.

Reuniting the Estate With Jozef’s Family

We ultimately reunited more than £100,000 with Jozef’s surviving relatives, including his nephew Krzysztof, who helped administer the estate. For the family, this inheritance represents far more than a financial outcome — it restores Jozef’s place in the family and offers long-awaited closure after decades of uncertainty.

Our Commitment

As a leading probate genealogy firm, Finders International remains committed to supporting families through complex or sensitive cases. Jozef’s story shows how dedicated research and international cooperation can reconnect families, even after generations of separation.

Speak to Our Team

If you need support with heir tracing, next of kin searches, or international probate research, our specialist teams are here to help.
Contact us: +44 (0)20 7490 4935 or email [email protected].