There are a number of reasons why people may want to get in touch with family they’ve lost contact with. Some people will have an easier time than others, depending on how much information they have, how long ago they lost touch, and if they have any public records available.
Certain adoptions can be particularly difficult due to the way that access to information is controlled, but even then, you have options for continuing your search. If you’re looking to reconnect with someone, keep reading for four tips for finding long-lost family members.
1. Use online search tools with the details you have available.
People finder websites offer free person lookup services that you can take advantage of if you have any of your family member’s personal information.
You can use what you do know to try to find additional details like their full name, date of birth, cell or landline number, and, in some cases, even their current address. The effectiveness of these services can vary, depending on the quality of the company and their database, so make sure you stick to trusted options like GoLookUp.
2. Interview friends and family who may have information.
If you don’t have enough details to start searching using a name, address, relative’s name, or phone number, you can start talking to anyone who may be able to tell you more.
If you know any direct relatives who may be in contact with the person you’re trying to find, you can get in touch with them and see if they can help you in any way. Even if your family members aren’t still in touch with them, they may be able to provide vital records, personal stories, or details that can give you a better idea of where to look.
There are some cases where you may not be able to do this, particularly when adoptive parents don’t know the identity of the birth parents or biological family members due to closed adoption.
In this instance, you may want to start by contacting your adoption or foster care agency, which may have records to provide that were left with them. Some states also have programs to reconnect adoptees with their birth families, so long as both parties provide consent. Advocates are pushing for more transparency in adoption, but significant changes have yet to be made.
3. Look into trade organization records.
You may be surprised by the amount of valuable information your local trade organization can provide. If you know what your family member’s occupation was, you can browse the databases of relevant organizations. If you’re lucky, you may be able to find out more about where they lived or worked or even what their current job is.
4. Take advantage of social media.
One modern tool that can give you some information is social media. Facebook makes it easy to search by name or location, but you shouldn’t neglect other platforms either. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram can all provide a lot of details on your family member and how you could potentially get in touch with them.
Keep in mind that it can be difficult to make use of social media to learn more about your family if you don’t have any concrete personal details to use to narrow down your search.
In the digital age, we have access to more tools than ever that can help us find people with whom we’ve lost touch. There are even resources available that can help you find family that you’ve never been in contact with, even for adoptees whose adoption proceedings were closed.
Make sure you take advantage of any and all search databases you have access to, including people search websites and even trade organization databases. Social media can also help you find and communicate with relatives you may not have been able to find anywhere else. No matter how you approach your search, keep in mind that you should always be cautious and consider whether or not someone wants to be contacted before you take your next steps.