How to Search for Family Members
With the many tools available online, searching for family members can be easy. You can perform extensive historical research to find out information about family members who have died or you can find simple and current contact information for relatives who are still living.
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Instructions
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Select a search website. If you're looking for family members who have died, go to ancestry.com. It's the world's largest family history website. You can find extensive information about deceased family members by searching through birth records, military records, marriage certificates, death certificates, and even the federal census. Family Search and My Heritage are also great websites for locating deceased relatives. For living relatives, you can do a simple people search through Intelius, which is a great way to find and reconnect with friends and family members. Intelius should not be used if you are looking to trace your family roots. The only history you will find on Intelius is someone's previous address and telephone number.
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Gather as much information as you can before you start your search. You may not have much information, but before you begin your search you will need to have key facts, which may include place of birth, last name, past or previous addresses, spouse's name, and age.
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Begin your search. If you are using Ancestry.com, the homepage offers several options on how to begin your search. Enter as much information as you can and click "Search." If you are choosing to perform a simple people search, at the Intelius homepage you can search by name, telephone number, home address, email address, and even Social Security number. Click on any tab to input your key facts.
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Pay the fee. On both websites, your search results will let you know if they have located your family member or can provide more information to help you locate your family member. However, in order to access this information you will have to pay a fee. Intelius charged anywhere from $.95 to $49.95 in late 2009, depending on how much information you want to retrieve. Ancestry.com offers subscriptions -- though you can also take advantage of a free trial. Ancestry.com's least expensive package cost $12.95 a month for an annual subscription in late 2009. If you only need the website for a month, you may choose the $19.95 month-to-month plan.
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Find the person. Following payment, your results page will then display the information on your family member. Record the information and file it.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are unable to locate your family members using the Internet, you may want to hire a private investigator to help you.
Be aware that harassment and violation of privacy rights can lead to major legal problems. Privacy laws regulate what type of information you can obtain and the purpose for which you are using it.
