Every estate has a story, and as a genealogist at EstateCo, Jerimiah is a team member who helps piece that story together.

His work doesn’t happen with a single database search or a quick click online. He spends hours tracing names, timelines, and records, sometimes across borders, to ensure the right heirs are identified and families are respected.

Here’s what the work looks like in his own words:

What part of your work matters most to you — the thing you wish every heir understood?

I wish every heir understood how much work goes into each file before we reach out to them. We put real time into making sure we’ve found the correct heirs, to the greatest extent possible. The diligence behind that effort really matters to me, and it’s just one example of the level of care that goes into every case.

What’s one moment in your job that reminded you why this work is important?

At the end of the day, knowing that we’re helping families through a really difficult time is incredibly meaningful. The cases that stay with me are the ones involving medical challenges, estrangements, or untimely deaths — the kinds of situations that explain why a property ended up abandoned or neglected.

Cases where the estate will make a real impact on the heirs are the most meaningful–such as cases where the heirs are minors (i.e., they’ve lost their parents at a very young age).  Knowing that the proceeds could go toward setting up a college fund or relieving pressure on the family makes this work worthwhile.

I’m also moved by cases where families have become estranged. By finding siblings or cousins, we’re helping them find closure and peace, knowing they did right by their loved ones.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about your work?

There’s no single source that gives us everything we need to find heirs. Every case is an entirely different puzzle. Genealogy websites help, but they only scratch the surface. My job is a bit like being a detective — looking for one little clue to find the next clue, and the next.  One clue might come from a newspaper, the next from a court record.

A recent case involved a man with no immediate family listed on his death certificate. The only clues were his birthdate and that he was born in Canada. I searched the limited Canadian records and determined that his surname was most common in Ontario and Alberta. I then used census records from before his birth to determine which families he could plausibly fit into.  Luckily, it was only about 4 or 5.  Then it was a process of elimination.  Eventually, I found an obituary of a potential relative that led to a specific town in Alberta.  A Facebook page eventually connected us to the family. It took work — but we found them.

What do you love doing when you’re not working?

My wife and I have a four-year-old daughter, so I’m focused on her when I’m not working.  She’s growing up so fast.  We try to find activities that challenge her and expose her to new ideas and people whenever we can, so we are always busy!

Has EstateCo Contacted You?

If EstateCo has reached out to you, it’s not a coincidence. It’s because we’ve done the research, and we believe you or someone you know may be connected to an unclaimed estate. Our job is to help you access it, without confusion, risk, or guesswork.

You don’t have to navigate the process alone. Contact us today to speak with an Heir Advocate and learn about the next steps.