As of 6 September 2022, there are 421 unclaimed estates of Irish-born people who have died in England and Wales since 1997.

The estates are listed on what is referred to as the Bona Vacantia list (i.e. vacant goods), with the most recent estates belonging to two people who died in 2021 – Hugh John Carolann who passed away in Romford, Essex on 11 December 2021, and John McGowan, who died in Forest Hill, London, on 1 July of that year.

Estates that remain unclaimed are eventually passed on to the Crown through the Government Legal Department or other governments or authorities in other jurisdictions. However, if relatives can be identified, then the estate will pass on to those rightful heirs, and professional genealogists can help potential relatives assert their claim and inherit their money.

List names deceased and place of death

The list names the person, the date and place of their death and the place and date of their birth (where known).

Here are some of the relevant details for recent additions to the list:

• Bridget Johnson, date of death, 30 October 2019 in Bath, Somerset, who hailed from Kildimo, County Limerick
• Christopher Mary Guina, date of death, 28 August 2021, in Ramsgate, Kent, born in Ireland
• William Joseph Shiels, date of death, 27 April 2021, in Cricklewood, London, born in Ireland
• Kathleen Flanagan, who died on 27 March 2020 in Camden, London, born in Ireland
• Teresa Catherine Melidis, died on 18 April 2020 in Kensington, London, from Ireland
• James Noel Fitzgerald, who died on 20 July 2021 in Southampton, Hampshire, and was from the Republic of Ireland
• Robert John Bell, who passed away on 21 June 2016 in Whitechapel, London, and originally from Ireland
• Margaret Bell, born 13 May 1942 in Dublin and who died on 7 September 2017 in Lambeth, London
• Norah Blake, born 21 January 1932 in Ireland and who died on 4 February 2018 in Golders Green, London
• Michael Clifford, born 23 September 1927 in Killarney and who died on 26 April 2020 in Leeds, West Yorkshire
• James Collins, born 8 November 1940 in Cork, Ireland, and who died on 15 January 2019 in Camden, London
• Thomas Egan, born 13 November 1941 in Ireland and who died on 30 July 2019
• Patrick Fleming, born 10 March 1930 in the Irish Republic and who died on 2 June 2020 in Lewisham, London.

You can find the full list of unclaimed estates here. If you would like assistance proving your relationship to one of the deceased on the list, Finders Ireland can help. Fill in the form here and we’ll be in touch.

Finders International Ireland trace missing beneficiaries to estates, properties and assets. To find out more, you can visit our website. Alternatively, you can email [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)1 5676940