Places to Search for Relatives
Losing touch with a relative happens to nearly everyone. People move frequently, misplace contact information and before long, contact is lost. Using the right places to search for relatives may help you find everyone on your list. It may take a bit of hard work, depending on how long the person has been out of your life, but it's possible.
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Social Networking Sites
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Social networking sites, such as Myspace and Facebook, have millions of users in countries all around the world. The sites are free to sign up for and give you the chance to post pictures, chat, send messages and get in touch with people you thought were missing forever. After registering for an account, upload recent photographs of yourself, as well as older photos. People who are looking for you might pass by a newer photo because they don't know what you look like now. Search for family members by name and weed through the results. Even if that relative isn't registered, you may find his or her children or other relatives who know where they are.
Reunion Registries
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Reunion registries bring people together, by letting registered users post missing person's bulletins. List the name of the person you are looking for and as much other information as possible, including their last known location. These sites allow you to leave your contact information, letting that relative contact you if they see the listing. Others who might know the person or have more information can also contact you with details.
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Public Records
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If you know the last known location where your relative lived, use the free public records. Many courts now offer free online searches that you can do from the comfort of your own home. Search for the person in criminal courts, domestic courts and through the auditor's office. Often times the last known current address for the person is listed. You may also get lucky and have the person's forwarding address listed if they moved in the recent past.
Private Investigators
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When you reach a dead end, consider hiring a private investigator. While it is fairly expensive, investigators have access to resources that normal people do not. Using the information you provide, the investigator searches for your missing relative. Investigators are especially helpful at finding relatives who've changed their last name through marriage or divorce and those who've moved far away.
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