If anyone remembers the 1st series the BonaVacantia list used to show the value of the estate of the deceased, but that had stopped by the time the 2nd series was aired, probably too many people trying to do probate research (a loss of revenue to the Govt.)
Great programme, wouldn't we all love a few hours in their library to trawl through all the directories etc. that they have.
I notice that they use FreeBMD a lot, and ancestry/findmypast for census, so although they do have a lot of records to hand most look like they are on microfische (not too sure about the spelling!) so it is probably quicker for them to use these sites.
I have a cousin who when off sick was wathing the programme & found the person they were looking for & ALL their relatives far quicker than they did, and more relatives than shown on the programme. They do try to make it look very hard.
I am always shocked that social services do not seem to try very hard to find relatives, most people (old folk especially) have address books lying around & old letters etc., so it cannot be that hard in many cases. I think it is very sad in these instances as often that person in put in a paupers grave with no marker to save money, disgusting to say the least.
Oooh I do feel better after that little rant
