Family Wise, the Wiltshire-based genealogy and heir tracing firm, is celebrating its 14th anniversary, marking more than a decade of sustained growth, international reach and deep community roots.
Founded in 2012, Family Wise has evolved from a small operation into a globally connected business with a team of more than 40 employees worldwide. Over the past 14 years, the company has expanded its office space twice, moving from its original base to a new office in 2016 and then into its current premises in 2018 to accommodate continued growth.
Kirsty Gray, Managing Director of Family Wise, said: “When I started Family Wise, I wanted to build a business that genuinely connected people through people. Seeing young individuals join us at the very beginning of their careers and grow into senior leaders has been one of my proudest achievements.”
Family Wise has paid out more than £10 million in estate funds to beneficiaries across six continents, including remote locations from St Helena to the Himalayas. The company has also sponsored speakers and events around the world, reinforcing its position within the professional genealogy and probate research sector.
A defining feature of the business has been its commitment to creating opportunities for local young people. More than 20 individuals from the community have been employed by Family Wise, many of whom began as work experience students or office juniors. Today, those early recruits make up more than 80 per cent of the senior management team.
Over the years, the company has navigated significant changes within the industry and wider business environment. The removal of the BVD (Bona Vacantia) list of unclaimed estates required operational adjustments, while the Covid-19 pandemic prompted a rapid transition to remote working – although that has come naturally to the team who have always had remote workers overseas and across the UK.
Kirsty added: “Each challenge has strengthened us. Moving from my house to our first office in 2016 and then into our current premises reflected our ambition, but it also demanded better processes, stronger recruitment and a clear focus on team cohesion. We have learned that sustainable growth comes from embedding strong systems and staying true to our core values.”
Beyond its core services in heir tracing and genealogy, the company maintains strong community links, including providing local mobile printing and administrative support, as well as helping families build their own family trees. Each year, the team also offers to undertake this work pro bono for nominated individuals. In 2025, this included Callum Woodley, who, after experiencing serious illness and having little knowledge of his family history, had felt disconnected from his past but now enjoys a renewed sense of closure and connection to his ancestors; David Phelps, recognised for his longstanding service with Calne Town Council and dedication to keeping the community safe and welcoming, whose family history was created to share with his loved ones; and Michael Wiggins, a long-time Calne resident and proud WWII and Korean War veteran who recently celebrated his 97th birthday, and whom the team were honoured to visit at home to explore his ancestry and hear his childhood memories.
As it enters its 15th year, Family Wise remains focused on connecting families, resolving estate matters efficiently and upholding the ethical standards that have underpinned its success.