How to Find Family in England
Attempting to find family abroad can be a time-consuming labor of love. With a population of over 50 million, finding family in Britain can seem like a particularly daunting task, but there are a few standard steps you can take that will make finding lost family members a little bit easier.
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Instructions
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Type your family name into an internet search engine. This method may require sifting through pages that have nothing to do with the people you are looking for (especially if you have a common family name), but you may just come across an article or a news story which references a family member and gives you a clue of their whereabouts.
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Search using a specialized search program. Websites such as familyrelatives.com, ukpeoplefinder.com, or FindMyPast.co.uk specialize in finding lost relatives using a few search parameters, like accurate birth dates and middle names, previous addresses and other information you might have.
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Ask your family members about family in England. It is always worth making an effort to talk to all of your extended family when you are trying to find other family members abroad. You never know who may have a piece of useful information—a phone number, an address, a city. This is a simple step, but it can sometimes prove to be the most useful.
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Search the British phone book. You can get a hold of a British phone book in book form, or use the internet version. Whichever one you use will give you valuable contact information for everyone in Britain who shares your family name. This can be a time consuming method (again, especially if your name is common), but if you have the patience to pick up the phone, your family member might just be a call away.
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Try to get in touch via social networking sites. Social networking sites have become a worldwide craze, and they have their benefits when it comes to reuniting people. Join sites like Twitter, MySpace or Facebook and type in the name of the family member you are looking for in the search field. If one of the names and pictures matches up with the person you're looking for, then you can be back in touch in a matter of minutes.
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Get in touch with the US Embassy in London for advice. This method should only be used if you are seriously worried about the safety and whereabouts of the person you are looking for. The US Embassy may be able to help your search, or at the very least point you in the direction of people who can help.
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- Photo Credit england flag.the flag of england. image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
