How to Search for Long-Lost Family & Friends
- 1). Compile basic available research data. This includes name and other known information such as last address, date and place of birth and schools attended. Also use known family member names as an associated search. Finding associated family and friends can provide valuable leads to finding missing family and friends.
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You can magnify your Internet search for friends or family by using details.search and magnifier buttons. (with clipping path) image by Andrey Zyk from Fotolia.com
Conduct an online search. The best results will come from distinct name searches as opposed to common names. Use quotes over the full name in search boxes to narrow search results. - 3
Telephone directories are available both in print and electronic formats.telefonbuch image by Angie Lingnau from Fotolia.com
Search the name and address directories. This includes both print and digital directories such as the official White Pages and on-line only directories such as Switchboard.com. On-line directory search categories include first and last names, reverse phone and reverse address searches. Run last known addresses and telephone numbers to find out whether a different name is associated with the information. Current residents at old addresses and telephone numbers may have known your family member or friend and can provide further leads. - 4). Search property records. If you know the last county where the family or friend resided, search Internet county databases of real estate records to find out if the person's name arises in the local real estate records. If you know the name of family and close associates who may have better information about the person's whereabouts, search their names as well. You may find the family or friend by finding an associated person first.
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Don't be afraid to ask the local librarian for other library tools that may be available for conducting people searches.library books image by Daughterson from Fotolia.com
Visit the local library. Check resources such as electronic library databases that lead to microfiche copies of old local publications. Local newspapers and magazines may have mentioned the name of the searched family or friend and provide further leads to the researcher. - 6). Use genealogical and missing people services. These services can be used to find both family members and friends. Also, family members of the searched party can provide important leads. For free family history records check out websites such as Familysearch.org. Also remember that state libraries have special genealogical collections.
- 7). Use social networking as a research tool. Another wonder of social networking websites such as Facebook is that its millions of member profiles can be a virtual database of long lost family and friends. Create a profile on Facebook and start searching for long lost family and friends. You may be surprised by the results.
