Jozef Domanski was only 14 years old when he was abducted by the Nazis and compelled into labor in Germany in 1941. Following his release at the war’s end, Jozef relocated to the UK, where he resided in Wolverhampton and later in Essex. Tragically, he never saw his Polish family again, maintaining contact solely through letters over the years.
Communication dwindled after he was injured in a factory accident in 1976, with the last contact from him dating back to the early 2000s. Despite efforts to locate him, his family was unsuccessful. Jozef passed away in 2012 at the age of 86, unmarried and childless. Approximately 85 years after his capture, his family has inherited his £100,000 estate after a lengthy international legal inquiry involving the UK, Germany, and Poland.
Krzysztof Sadowski, Jozef’s nephew and family representative, collaborated with probate researchers and solicitors. He mentioned that his mother, Helena, was the sibling Jozef corresponded with most frequently from the mid-1970s. Jozef often expressed his melancholy about Poland and being distanced from his family in his letters.
Reflecting on Jozef’s survival in two foreign countries post-war, Krzysztof remarked on the challenging journey Jozef must have endured. The sudden news of Jozef’s passing was especially devastating for Krzysztof’s mother, who was deeply saddened by the abrupt cessation of communication.
The breakthrough occurred when a UK local authority engaged Finders International, the country’s largest probate research firm, to trace Jozef’s relatives. Over a decade of legal and genealogical work ensued, requiring collaboration among experts from the three nations.
The research was spearheaded by Benjamin Ratz of GEN SPZOO, who worked closely with Jozef’s sister Helena Sadowski until her passing. The £100,000 inheritance will be distributed among surviving family members, with Krzysztof planning to honor his grandparents by dedicating a portion of it to them.
Antoine Djikpa, Chairman of the IAPPR, highlighted how the repercussions of war trauma persist across generations. Restoring Jozef Domanski’s name, history, and family connections was described as a form of meaningful justice, underscoring the enduring importance of accountability.