Things You'll Need:
- Computer
- Internet Connection
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Step 1
Get online and start with the easiest tool: Google. If your friend had an unusual or unique name and has done anything, anywhere, there's a good chance that Google will pop up with at least a few references. If you can't get the contact information directly from this, it might at least give you a few leads.
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Step 2
The next place to look online is Facebook. Facebook has taken off as a social media network, and has an amazing search function. My Dad, who is in his mid to late fifties, was stunned to find there was a group just for kids who came from his old hometown of less than 1,000 people - and he found friends he hadn't spoke to in 30 years. The other nice part about Facebook is that if you and the person you'd like to find have common friends, when you type a name in Facebook's search, it will put anyone who has common friends with you first.
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Step 3
While it's a longer shot than Facebook, the next place to look would be MySpace. If your friend is online with social media, they're probably in one of these two sites.
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Step 4
Look at class reunion websites. Some will allow you to search for names tied to schools, giving you a possible lead you might not find anywhere else.
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Step 5
If all the online searches fail, try to locate some relatives from the old home town. Older generations tend to have deeper roots than the younger generations - meaning your friend's parents might still be in the same town even 30 years later.
