How to Find Friends From the Past

How to Find Friends From the Past thumbnail
Relive old times when you reconnect with your old friends.

Sometimes life gets in the way and you lose touch with old friends. One of you may have changed schools during your younger years; your friend may have moved away with family; or after college, you and your friends may have parted ways in search of jobs or to be closer to family. However, even after you and your friends have gone your separate ways, you may still be able to reconnect. In many cases, the Internet can help you in your search, though you can use offline resources, as well.

Instructions

  1. Online Search

    • 1

      Check the Internet white pages for information on friends from your past. Several sites provide these services, including Whitepages.com, Yahoo! People Search and AnyWho. Enter as much information as you know, including the first and last name, city, state and zip code. The last name is required, though this can make a search difficult if your friend is female and likely married.

    • 2

      Search for your past friends on social networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace. Many people create profiles on these sites, which also include maiden names for the females, making it easier to search for female friends. While you can find your friends at these types of sites without a profile, you need to create your own profile to contact another person. If you are not comfortable making your information public, these sites offer privacy settings to restrict who can view your information, and you are free to omit any information you don't want to share.

    • 3

      Use a deep-web search engine to locate a friend from your past. These deep-web search engines, including Spokeo, Pipl and Zaba Search, provide you with basic information for free. Obtain more detailed information by paying the required fee. Include all information you can, including first and last name, as well as city and state. After you enter this information, the site will search hidden parts of the Internet, including hidden profiles on various websites, phone directories and email servers, for the name you typed.

    Offline Resources

    • 4

      Write to your friend in the care of his parents. If the parents haven't moved, they can see that he gets the letter, initiating contact.

    • 5

      Check the local white pages for your friend if you do not have access to the Internet white pages. If your friend has not moved out of the area and has kept the same name, you should be able find an address and phone number. If you are no longer living in the same area, but know someone who is, ask her to scan the local white pages for you.

    • 6

      Contact any mutual friends to inquire about the friend you are trying to find. Use the friends you can find to find those you cannot.

Tips & Warnings

  • Check marriage records if you know where your friend may have gotten married. This can help you find your female friend's new last name, making it easier to find her. Some states offer marriage records online, while others require you to visit the local courthouse. Marriage records are public record and can be accessed using your friend's maiden name.

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References

Resources

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

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