How to Find Relatives That Emigrated From the United States

While it is relatively easy to find family living in the United States, it is difficult searching for your family living abroad. When looking for lost family living abroad, you need all the help you can get. Knowing where to look and who to talk to means the difference between finding your loved ones and turning up empty. Here is how to find your relatives that emigrated from the United States.

Instructions

1. Look up your relative's last U.S. address before moving. Even though you may not know where they are living abroad, you probably will be able to find this easily if you know their first name, last name and state in which they resided.

2. Know your relative's heritage. Many people, when considering living abroad, will first take residence in their country of origin. Identifying where your family's heritage lies narrows down the field of possible locations to search.

3. Try online forums such as polishforums.com to search for relatives. On heritage-specific forums you can post requests for missing family living abroad to contact you. Be sure you can post your information anonymously and receive contact through the forum. This way your private information will be protected.

4. Enlist help from organizations like hias.org. This organization helps Jewish relatives connect with one another from across the globe. Simply call HIAS toll-free at (800) HIAS-714.

5. Contact your local heritage community center. Find your local Italian club, Jewish Community center or other clubs by looking in your local telephone directory and see if they can assist you in finding relatives who emigrated from the U.S. now living abroad.