I need official proof that an Australian relative who was born 120 is deceased. How do I get this?

[tigermoth]

Dh is related to a lady who was born 120 years ago and lived in Australia.

Dh's mother has told him a garbled story about this, and I have probabaly got some of this wrong, but apparently the Australian authorities are holding onto some family money of hers (not a huge fortune) until a relative comes forward to claim it, as the lady left no will. But to claim it, the fammly member must get official proof that the lady is dead.

Dh's mother has said we can have the money if we manage to sort out the paperwork - other people have tried to do this in previous years but have given up. We have a small folder of stuff relating to the woman, and now the years have ticked on, would we still need proof she is dead after all this time?

Any thoughts on what I need to do next?

Presumably there will be a death certificate registered somewhere. Did she die in Australia? What do you know about her?

wow, quick response,Freckle - thanks! She died in Australia, but the death certificate seems to be untraceable, and we have no family over there now who can help. AFAIK she had no children or partner. I will be looking through the folder later today and will post any info I find.

I should add, I want to know a bit more about her, too - she is fast going out of living memory. I feel it's sort of ikky, finding out about her assets without knowing her at all.

tigermoth have you tried Genes reunited, I do family tree and have had a lot of success with them, if you email me her name and any details i will have a look on ancestory.com as well if you like.

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thanks that's really kind of you - I will dig out some details and email you.

I'm about as addicted to Family Tree as MN