Have you been estranged from a family member for years with no idea how to find them? Maybe you had a falling out and haven’t spoken since, or perhaps you were never close with them in the first place. Whatever the reason may be, if you’re ready to find your estranged family members, there are a few things you can do to make the process a little easier. Keep reading to learn more.
Use an online search tool.
There are many valuable online resources to help you locate estranged family members, including websites that let users conduct a “people search.” These websites provide users with a search engine to locate individuals by name, address, or phone number. In addition, they offer tips and resources for conducting successful people searches.
Many of these sites also provide helpful search resources such as email directories and reverse phone lookup tools. An email directory can be used to contact people who may have information about your missing relative. If you happen to have a phone number for your estranged relative or someone who might know them, a reverse phone lookup tool can help you identify the owner of the phone number and may offer additional information regarding their location.
Online search tools can also help you find relevant public records, including marriage and divorce certificates, criminal records, and driving records.
Explore social media.
Another way to potentially locate estranged relatives is through social media. Platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn have features that allow users to search for people by name or email address. Depending on the user’s privacy settings, you may also be able to see who is on their list of friends, which can also be useful for finding missing loved ones.
It is important, however, to be aware of the privacy settings for each social media platform, as some may limit the amount of information shared publicly. If you’re running into dead-ends on social media, you can always backtrack and try conducting a basic Google search. You could discover other social media and professional profiles that you might not have considered otherwise.
Contact former neighbors or classmates.
Another way to find estranged relatives is by contacting former neighbors or classmates. This can be a useful strategy if you have limited information about the person you are looking for, or if you do not know their current contact information.
You can start by compiling a list of all of the addresses and phone numbers you have for your estranged relative’s friends, neighbors, and classmates from when they were living in your area. Next, you can try to track down their current contact information using online resources like social networking websites and public records databases.
Once you have their current contact information, you can reach out to them and ask if they know how to get in touch with your loved one. If they don’t know how to reach them, they may be able to provide you with some helpful leads.
Check with the local police department.
Although it should generally only be used as a last resort, you might want to consider contacting your local police department or the police department in the area where your estranged relative previously lived. A police representative may be able to inform you of any publicly available information regarding your loved one; they can also direct you to other resources that may be helpful in your search.
If you know your estranged relative’s address but have not heard from them in a substantial amount of time and are concerned for their well-being, the police department can send a courtesy officer to conduct a wellness check. This can be helpful if your estranged relative does not wish to speak with members of their family.
