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
James Green , MA (Hons)
Deputy Managing Director & Senior Case Manager
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
Sophie Treeby , LLB (Bachelor of Law)
Office Manager & HR Director
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
Finn Dryland
Office & Business Development Administrator
Finn is a part of our admin team and is part of the initial line of contact for beneficiaries. This involves generating letters, dealing with inbound and outbound calls, greeting visitors, and handling other office-based tasks. His business development role involves reaching out to new organisations to bring the company more work through direct referrals. These organisations include councils, solicitors, and hospital bereavement offices.
” Working at Family Wise really makes me feel like I’m making a difference, helping to resolve what people have left behind and giving the family closure. I’ve grown and gained a lot of confidence thanks to my time working here.” – Finn Dryland
Ethan Thompson
Digital Marketing Apprentice
At Family Wise Ltd, I play a key role in supporting our digital presence by maintaining the website to ensure it remains current and user-friendly. I create engaging content, including blogs, newsletters, videos, and scripts. I manage and update our social media channels to foster a strong online community and keep our audience informed and connected. Alongside these responsibilities, I am committed to my professional growth and currently dedicate one day a week to studying as part of my marketing apprenticeship, continually enhancing my skills to contribute even more value to Family Wise Ltd.
“I enjoy working with a supportive team where I can create content that connects with people and help maintain a positive online presence. Being in this environment has really helped me expand my knowledge and build my confidence. It’s rewarding to work somewhere that encourages my growth and learning every day.” – Ethan Thompson
Ed Villis
Remote Administrator
Ed supports the Family Wise team while studying at university, working remotely during term time and in the office during breaks. His flexible role spans admin, case support, and finance, offering vital assistance wherever needed.
Remotely, he manages financial documentation, shared inboxes, and supports tasks in Xero. In the office, Ed handles audits, sources office décor, liaises with local businesses, and even tackles practical jobs like weeding and pest control!
A true “jack of all trades,” Ed is a reliable, adaptable presence who helps keep the business running smoothly.
“Working as a remote administrator at Family Wise has allowed me to develop my professional skills whilst continuing my education. I enjoy working at Family Wise because of the challenging and dynamic workload. Every day here is different and exciting.”
Sally-Ann Nelson
Case Support Administrator
Sally-Ann is a part of the Case Support team and has been providing valuable support to the Case Managers by undertaking a range of important tasks. Her role includes contacting banks to obtain necessary information, filing certificates accurately, approving identification documents, and assisting with the closing of estates.
Sally-Ann consistently ensures that these duties are carried out efficiently and with great attention to detail, contributing to the smooth progression of cases and maintaining the high standards of service that Family Wise is known for.
“Since joining Family Wise Ltd, I have truly come out of my shell and grown more confident in the office environment. The supportive and welcoming culture here has made me feel like a valued member of the FWL family. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities, making the work dynamic and engaging, which motivates me to keep learning and contributing my best.”