Shall we discuss it? escheat assets: the identification headache
Among the many cases handled, I remember having a request to find John Smith in London in the 60s… without any further information. I have to admit I didn’t accept the case, as the risk of a homonym was so high. Often ignored, the identification of an account holder can prove to be a particularly difficult stage in the processing of escheated assets. Indeed, on very old accounts, the information available is sometimes almost non-existent: a first and last name, and in the best of cases an address, a town or even a country… Things get more complicated with female account holders: is it her married name or her maiden name? This is an important detail, because in some countries, only the maiden name can be used to identify the owner and determine her destiny, and vice versa. When faced with a lack of relevant data to identify a person, it takes creativity and perseverance to overcome the obstacles. To do this, the slightest element in the file, which may seem insignificant, could be the clue that unlocks the search. In this case, the customer’s cooperation is essential. It may be a specimen signature, a location on a document, a date (opening, last contact), names such as those of agents, a profession, a note… Based on the elements provided, methodical work will begin to analyze and cross-reference existing data. Based on the available clues, hypotheses must be formulated about the person’s identity, and evidence sought to confirm it. This is done using the “genealogical cluster” method, to assemble a cluster of clues pointing to a single person.
Creating a “Genealogy Cluster”:
- Study the surnames and first names in our possession: they may give clues to cultural, religious or ethnic influences, providing clues to the family’s geographical origins. The popularity of certain first names at a given time may reflect social and cultural trends, helping to place individuals in their historical context.
- Study people appearing in the file: By studying people appearing or mentioned in the searched person’s file, the researcher can discover links and relevant information.
- Gathering scattered clues: combine small pieces of information from different documents to build up a more complete picture of the person. For example, we were able to identify a woman thanks to an old flyer advertising a now-defunct brand of beer, which had remained in the file. By studying all the available information relating to this brand (date, production village, identity of the brewers and the family), it turned out that she was the wife of one of the brewers.
- Determine a historical context: If a date and place exist, understanding the historical, social and economic events of the time can provide clues about the person you’re looking for.
- Review newspapers and obituaries: Obituaries and newspaper articles can provide valuable information about individuals and their families.
- Tracing the history of an address: If, by chance, an address is available to us, researching the history of its inhabitants can sometimes pay off.
- Consult directories, trade registers, business registers: These documents can help identify the person and provide contextual information about his or her life.
It’s always interesting and more comfortable to associate a specimen signature with a genealogical cluster.
Studying the specimen signature: The signature can be an invaluable tool for identifying a person. It is often a means of “fixing” time and determining research periods. It can even give a glimpse of the person and his or her environment by studying its size, shape, legibility, fluidity, the hesitation or ease with which it was traced… The sources are numerous but uneven depending on the country. Examples include :
- Official documents such as wills, notarial deeds, marriage contracts, etc.
- Marriage certificates
- Naturalization files,
- Company deeds.
The list is far from exhaustive, and will be adapted according to the country of investigation. For my part, I always try to obtain several specimens of the same person’s signature from different periods, in order to make cross-checks. Indeed, you always have to be cautious, as signatures change over time, can become initials, or the author may also have changed his or her name… The absence of relevant data to identify a person represents a major challenge, but by using a combination of alternative sources and rigorous analysis, it can often be overcome. The key is to remain persistent, cautious, methodical and open to exploring all sources. A clear, relevant and documented report can then provide the customer with all the elements needed to conclude that the right person has been identified.
