How to Find a Long-Lost Family Member
It can feel devastating if you are unable to find a long-lost family member. Families can get separated for a multitude of reasons, including divorce, relocation, death and adoption. There are several online and offline resources that can aid your search for long-lost relatives. Try some of free methods available to locate family members before moving on to paid tools.
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Instructions
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Enter the long-lost family member's name in a search engine.To limit results, place quotes around the entire name. You may stumble across webpages that can lead you to the family member's location. Some popular search terms you can use to find websites that help you locate long-lost family members include "find family relatives," "looking long lost family member" and "family search website."
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Conduct a records search online. People-search websites can track down your family members by their last name, social security number, e-mail address or phone number. For example, try the US Search site. It only charges you if it's able to track down the person you are looking for.
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Browse lost family member bulletin boards. Type in the last name of the person you are looking for on the site Yourfamily.com. If she is looking for you as well, you'll be able to connect with her through the forum.
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If you suspect that the family member you are looking for might be deceased, look through the Social Security Death Index. Run their name through this engine to receive his date of birth, death date and last residence.
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If you're searching for a lost relative that was adopted away from your family, place your name on a reunion registry. For example, Adoption.com allows you to register adoption records to reunite with a long-lost family member. Consider contacting an adoption search assistant, such as those available from the Volunteer Search Network.
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Tips & Warnings
If all else fails, procure the services of a private investigator in order to track down your long-lost relative.
References
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Comments
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hi I am looking for my natural dad name is jess page, I got half sister name is gillain and other sister unknow name, and half brother name is trevor page, he age 57 or 58.
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My dad thinks he has a long lost son out there perhaps by the name Moses he would be around the age of 18 or 19. My fathers name is Vidal Padilla and was married to my mother Lori Ulibarri for many years. From Denver CO. He's proly just high again......
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hi I am looking for my own birth mother and I cant find her I am looking to meet her can you help me please.
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rpaulk01
Dec 10, 2010
Review: The Comfort of Reuniting with an Estranged Parent This essay, written by Rhonda Paulk, gives a heartfelt account of her personal reunion with her biological mother. Mrs. Paulk had been estranged from her mother for thirty-six years and in that time she resided with her father and step-mother. Growing up without a relationship with her biological mother made her feel alone and question the reason for their separation. Now, Mrs. Paulk has married and began her own family and strives to be a better parent and active in her childrens lives. She hopes to keep her family together at whatever the cost. Realizing that there are circumstances in which families are unable to stay together she offers opinions on how being separated from a parent affects a child. Parents need to realize that it is important for children to have a healthy relationship with each of their parents without...
