Jozef Domanski was only 14 years old when he was taken by the Nazis and compelled to work in Germany in 1941. Upon his release at the war’s end, Jozef relocated to the UK, residing first in Wolverhampton and later in Essex.
Tragically, Jozef never reunited with his family in Poland, maintaining contact solely through letters over the years. However, communication dwindled after a workplace accident in 1976, with his relatives last hearing from him in the early 2000s.
Despite their efforts to locate him, Jozef’s family members were unsuccessful in reaching him. In 2012, at the age of 86, Jozef passed away, unmarried and childless, leaving behind an estate valued at £100,000.
After a prolonged international legal inquiry involving the UK, Germany, and Poland, approximately 85 years after his capture, Jozef’s family has inherited his estate. His nephew and family spokesperson, Krzysztof Sadowski, collaborated with probate researchers and solicitors, revealing, “My mother Helena corresponded with him frequently from the mid-1970s.”
Krzysztof reflected on Jozef’s struggles, stating, “I often ponder how he coped with life in two foreign countries post-war. Taken as a child and then trying to establish a normal life — it must have been daunting.”
The breakthrough occurred when a UK local authority engaged Finders International, the UK’s largest probate research firm, to trace Jozef’s relatives. Over a decade, legal and genealogical efforts across the three countries finally reconnected Jozef with his family.
The £100,000 inheritance will be divided among surviving relatives, with Krzysztof intending to honor his grandparents by dedicating a portion to them. He plans to memorialize Jozef by placing his photograph on their graves alongside a dedication.
Antoine Djikpa, Chairman of the International Association of Professional Probate Researchers (IAPPR), remarked, “This narrative underscores how the scars of war can impact families for generations. Restoring Jozef’s name, history, and family connections is a form of justice and a reminder that accountability remains relevant, even decades later.”