How to Find People

Have you ever lost touch with a family member due to marriage and name change or with a friend due to job relocation? It's hard to know what resources to rely on for genuine help. Unfortunately, I have wasted money during this economic crunch on people finding agencies with no results. I did find 2 missing relatives on my own and here how I did it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• patience
• persistance
• investigation
• note book

1. 
    
   keep records

   First, make a journal of each missing person. Use a lined, ruled notebook and include everyone you are searching for in that notebook. Give each person their own section. If you are searchng for more than two people, keep the names in alphabetic order. This is important for ease of application when you find new facts.

2. 
    
   record facts

   Record all the pertinent information that you know about each person. Include the full name, birthplace, ss# if possible, last known address, marital status, name of high school, church affiliation, job type, siblings, organizations, hobbies, sports, likes and dislikes and most importantly ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends and best friends.

3. 
    
   People send greeting cards.

   You would be amazed at the information ex's and best friends have. Your missing relative or friend will often send a birthday card or Christmas card, or a thinking of you card to one of those people in their lives. One thing you will have to resolve to is making repetitive phone calls. Not to the same person, necessarily, but saying the same words to each person you call. It helps to make a short list of points or questions you want to ask during each contact. All of these tips prevent repeated calls, people tend to get suspicious or annoyed at repetitious calls so make the best of the present opportunity. If you call a voice machine, briefly identify yourself and the purpose of the call, leave your phone number and that you will call again. You have nothing to hide and you want to eliminate suspicion.

4. 
    
   Remain cordial while asking questings

   When you finish a conversation, leave your name, phone number and relationship to the mutual acquaintance in case they hear from the person. Ask if they would be willing to pass your name and number on to them and/or call you with new information. Be cordial and appreciative, put yourself in their shoes and act accordingly.

5. 
    
   corporate red tape

   In the case of former employers, depending on the size of the company or the type of business they are, it may be more difficult to get information on a former employee. The smaller the business the more likely you are to get help. Larger corporations are less familiar with the employees and there is red tape with security and personnel offices, etc. In larger corporations, it’s best to have the specific name or names of friends who worked with the missing person and go that route.

6. 
    
   Pastor and Church help

   Churches may be very helpful if your missing person was the member of a congregation. The pastor may very well have information on the new church they attend. What a tremendous advantage in locating them.

7. 
    
   family reunion

   I personally found information on a missing first cousin by calling old friends and relatives that still lived in the town where we all lived as children. The ex-boyfriend of a different cousin whose brother had been married to my missing relative had information that lead to the reunion. It had been 30 years since I had contact with the missing first cousin. I followed the lead that I was given and it led to the adult daughter of my missing cousin. We were reunited by phone after that and as a bonus her sister lived near her, so I found two first cousins at once.

8. 
    
   computer programs and soft ware

   We found other relatives through a college that my niece attended where people would mention how much she resembled a certain professor. She did some investigating and found a last name familiar to each of our families. This turned up some information that had obviously been buried for whatever reasons. So, all discoveries may not prove to be pleasant or desirable. Be forewarned.
   
   If you are at all computer savvy, there is a site called face book where you can search for people by name. This may be helpful in locating missing people who happen to have a face book account as well.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up, it may take a lot of time but it can work
• Follow all leads, some of them will pay off
• Don't be afraid to make calls or interviews
• Some of those free people search agencies are not nearly as good as your own research and yours IS free

[unclet53]

on 5/14/2009 Wonderful information which reminds me I need to locate a childhood friend I haven't seen in more than 35 years.

[1InternetSmarty]

on 5/1/2009 Super tips for finding people. Five stars.

[sneedc]

on 4/25/2009 Thanks for the tips on finding people; I don't want to be found, I like being lost. Jesus knows where I am, and that's all that matters. 5*

[jenng]

on 4/25/2009 Great article on how to find people 5*

[PABechko]

on 4/21/2009 Excellent article on how to find people. Plainly, organiztion is key.