Finding a previous owner's next of kin?

[Jeremy Trubenstein]

I'm part of an small investor group that purchased a property at the Tax Foreclosure sale last month. Normally, it's an owner or tenants of an owner still in the house. This time has been different. The owner passed away in March 2011. Her husband had passed before her. There was a fire in the property in 2012, but no ownership change. Since then, it has been (we believe) unoccuppied. In Texas, the owner has a 6 month redemption period to pay back our purchase price plus 25%, after which we own it with no problems. If we can get a Quit Claim Deed signed before the 6 months are up, we can begin our rehab, legally.

Our problem is this... We have no idea how to find out who the next of kin is. Or if there was a will. And, if there is a will, who has the legitimate claim to the previous owners inheritance.

Is there anyone here who can point us in the right direction or offer advice.

Thanks in advance

-Jeremy