Jozef Domanski, at the age of 14, was taken by the Nazis and compelled into forced labor in Germany back in 1941. Upon his release at the end of the war, Jozef settled in the UK, residing first in Wolverhampton and later in Essex. Unfortunately, he lost contact with his family in Poland and communication dwindled after a workplace accident in 1976.
Despite efforts to locate him, Jozef’s family was unsuccessful. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 86, without a spouse or children. Approximately 85 years after his capture, his family has now inherited his £100,000 estate following a lengthy international legal investigation involving the UK, Germany, and Poland.
Krzysztof Sadowski, Jozef’s nephew and family representative, shared that Jozef frequently corresponded with his mother, Helena, expressing his longing for Poland and his family. Despite attempts by family members and even a visit to his old address in the UK, contact was lost.
The breakthrough in finding Jozef’s relatives came when a UK local authority engaged Finders International, the UK’s largest probate research firm. Over a decade of legal and genealogical work ensued, requiring collaboration among experts from three countries.
Simonne Llewellyn, CEO of Finders International, emphasized the emotional significance of the case, highlighting the extensive cross-border cooperation that led to reconnecting Jozef with his family. The research, spearheaded by Benjamin Ratz of GEN SPZOO, involved close collaboration with Jozef’s sister before her passing.
The inheritance will be distributed among surviving family members, with Krzysztof intending to honor his grandparents by dedicating a portion to them. He plans to commemorate Jozef by placing his photo on their graves alongside a dedication.
Antoine Djikpa, Chairman of IAPPR, noted the lasting impact of war trauma on families and emphasized the importance of restoring Jozef’s legacy and family connections as a form of justice and accountability, even decades later.