Who We Are

Formed in 2012 by Kirsty Gray, we are a people finding firm based in Calne, Wiltshire. With experts located all over the globe, we are able to draw down from a wide range of resources, with the ability to find information from almost anywhere in the world.

We are Family Wise

Family Wise is one of the country’s leading probate research and genealogy firms. Over the last decade, we have grown to a team of over thirty staff located not only in our High Street office in Calne but around the world. Our dedicated and expert team have a history of solving mysteries nobody else has been able to, whether as heir tracers, DNA experts, adoption angels or through plain old-fashioned genealogical nous.

Whatever your question, Family Wise will be able to help – and if we don’t know how straight away, you can be sure we’ll be able to find out before too long!

A word from our CEO, Kirsty

Family Wise has grown from a tiny acorn to one of the leading probate and intestacy companies in the country as well as being the only High Street family history research company.

We deal with enquiries from obtaining certificates to producing family history reports, working with solicitors to solve testate and intestate matters to heir tracing from the Bona Vacantia list and private council referrals.

Every day at Family Wise is different and our team work together to provide an open, honest, transparent, and ethical service to all our clients.

Meet the Team

Maddy Bullock , BA (Hons)

Marketing Executive & Deputy Office Manager

Maddy Bullock

Maddy is responsible for managing Family Wise’s marketing campaigns including social media, blogs, newsletters, advertisements and other marketing and business development initiatives. She holds a first-class degree in Television from Falmouth University, graduating in 2022. Maddy joined Family Wise in the same year as a digital marketing apprentice. After completing her apprenticeship with distinction, she was promoted from marketing assistant to marketing executive.

“I chose to work for Family Wise after earning my degree because I believe in the company’s core values of honesty, integrity, and transparency. Through our marketing campaigns, I strive to build trust between clients and the business and inspire people to explore their family history.”  – Maddy Bullock

James Green , MA (Hons)

Deputy Managing Director & Senior Case Manager

James Green

James is the Deputy Managing Director at Family Wise and serves also as a Senior Case Manager. He oversees many cases as well as taking an active role in ensuring the smooth running of the business and assisting our Managing Director, Kirsty Gray. He graduated from St Andrews in 2018 with an MA (Hons) in German and Persian and joined Family Wise in 2019 as a case manager.

“As a lifelong genealogist and family historian, I remember watching BBC’s ‘Heir Hunters’ as a child and teenager and thinking what a great job it would be. Working as a probate genealogist gives me the opportunity to help hundreds of people in challenging times and brings a real sense of accomplishment and achievement. Fundamentally, being able to bring something positive for people out of difficult circumstances is its own reward.” – James Green

Cerys Hadley

Case Support Manager & Executive Personal Assistant

Cerys Hadley

Cerys is responsible for managing the case support team, who oversee the process of beneficiaries’ documentation, correspondence with banks, liaising with external firms, and the daily operations of cases. Cerys joined the Family Wise team in 2021 as an Office Administrator and worked her way up to managing her own team alongside being PA to the Managing Director, Kirsty Gray.

“Over my years at Family Wise, the experiences I have gained have given me a wide knowledge base which I can pull from to support the case managers. I enjoy working at Family Wise as I believe in the company’s values and their ethical approach when dealing with sensitive circumstances or situations. In my role at Family Wise, I have learned valuable skills which enable me to deliver an outstanding quality of work.” – Cerys Hadley

Sophie Treeby , LLB (Bachelor of Law)

Office Manager & HR Director

Sophie Treeby

Sophie, our Office Manager and HR director holds a law degree from Cardiff University and serves as our Head of HR, overseeing office management. She joined Family Wise in 2020.

“The probate and intestate legal field are fascinating to me; intestate law is a highly complex and complicated process, but we have an exceptional team to guide you through every step.  I chose to work at Family Wise over other law firms dealing in probate and intestate because of the company’s dynamic team and ethical objectives. I lead a team of dedicated admin staff who are ready to address any estate-related inquiries. As HR Director, I prioritise our employees’ well-being and utilise my knowledge of employment law to ensure that they feel valued and perform at their best.” – Sophie Treeby

Want to join the Family Wise team?

Looking for the next step in your career? Interested in genealogy and wanting to make a living doing what you love?

Get in touch to hear about career opportunities!

Get in touch

We have helped thousands of beneficiaries in over 40 countries and across 6 continents - find out how we can help you!

More Success Stories
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Linda Young

I learned from Family Wise that I was the beneficiary from the estate of a relative who died intestate. Although his estate was in the UK and I am in the US which made things a bit more complicated., Family Wise went out of their way to make getting the estate settled as easy for me as possible and although it took some years, they were diligent in keeping me up to date as to what was happening and ultimately securing the funds were sent to me. They are a very professional firm and I would recommend them without hesitation to anyone needing their types of services.

25 September 2023
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Peter Warneford-Bygrave

Totally out of the blue I was contacted by Family Wise Limited that I had a distant relative that had died with an unclaimed estate. With a 120 year researched family tree thrown in and a cheque I received today, all I can say is well done Family Wise Limited, and thank you to the very pleasant staff.

21 June 2022
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Tammy Byrd

Peyton from Family Wise Limited was very helpful. My family is in the United States, so this process was strange to us. Peyton was patient with us and walked us through the process. Thank you so much for your professionalism.

21 June 2022
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Bob Prior

Highly professional and efficient are the ways I would describe Family Wise Ltd. Whilst the findings of my inheritance were not life-changing amounts, the service I received was superb. Thank you so much for your efforts Family Wise, it was greatly appreciated.

21 June 2022
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Avis Rose

Thank you all at Family Wise for all the work that was carried out to recover money. Was very interesting to receive the family tree.

8 September 2022
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Carole Rust

Excellent service and through Family Wise, I discovered things I never knew regarding my mother

8 September 2022
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Christopher McKeown

Family Wise are a legitimate company and provide excellent service.
They were able to resolve the payment of a deceased relative’s funds to myself and family members for a reasonable admin fee.

8 September 2022
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Margaret Rees-Lee

Family Wise contacted us (we’re in Australia) last year about our brother. They were very professional and trustworthy. I do not hesitate in recommending them.

8 September 2022
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Michael Woolsey

The service is excellent it was in regard to my late wife’s uncle Brian Christopher Smith, who just received a letter about the family’s history. My wife lost touch with a lot of her family on her mother’s side. Thank you for all your help.

8 September 2022
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Ruth Cameron

My experience with Family Wise has been a very good one. From the beginning all the way through to the conclusion. The communication has been outstanding, they have always told us when they would contact us and they always were prompt in doing so. Questions were answered well and with compassion. Whenever I have spoken to one of the team, they have been so lovely, kind, helpful and happy to do so. At the end we each got a Family tree, which was a lovely thing for us to keep. Thank you all at Family Wise, I have really appreciated all you have done for us.

16 January 2024
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Peter Ranford

This company is very professional in all aspects of the world. Dylan who was over looking after my case was carrying and considerate. He made me feel at ease all the way through. We thanks him for all his advice and help. My case did not have the conclusion i wanted but no fault of this company.

16 January 2024
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Michae Guthrie
We are very thankful family wise. They went the extra mile to find us and have been professional,. diligent and helpful Kirsty Gray and her team are first class and pleasurer to deal with.
8 September 2024
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Stephen Roper
Kirsty and the team were absolutely amazing words cannot discibe how very grateful I am. I hadn't known anything about my past from infant onwards. Family wise created my family tree and I found relatives I hadn't known existed. Outstanding from the beginning of the the journey to the end. Many thanks to Kirsty and not forgetting the rest of the team.
23 December 2023
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Barbara Havey
Fantastic work. Big family to trace, so much work. Thank you
13 January 2024
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Clive Haylett
We were contacted by Family in a very sensitive and personal way to be informed of a relative whom we had no knowledge of had passed away. They are a very professional company and did everything they promised and kept us informed throughout the process. They even provided myself and siblings with a family tree at the end of process so on behalf of us all we would like to thank Family Wise and would recommend them to anyone.
21 April 2024
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Chris Colley
When my father passed away six years ago, we were unaware of any assets he may have had, he had been in a nursing home so we presumed that they had taken any assets towards the costs of looking after him. So it was a surprise when Family Wise contacted us unexpectedly to say they had identified something and that they would recover it and share it with myself and my siblings. Several months later we received a cheque representing our share. It was not a huge amount but it was still welcome. My dealings with the company have been pleasant, their responses have been prompt and factual. All in all it has been a pleasure dealing with them and I would highly recommend them.
9 September 2024
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