How to Find Your Long Lost Relative or Friend

How to Find Your Long Lost Relative or Friend

The art and science of locating a person requires that an organized system be in place to successfully accomplish this goal.

This article is meant to serve as a practical starting point for people interested in finding their own lost relative or friend anywhere in the world. The basic system outlined here will require you to dedicate a small pocket notebook of about 80 to 100 lined pages to this project and a black ballpoint pen.

The first step is to write down everything you know about the person you want to find beginning on the third page at the front of your notebook. Obvious and not so obvious details are important such as their full name, date of birth, their last address, the names of relatives, where they worked and where they went to school, etc.

After writing these details down, it is best to carefully review your list a day or two later as you may recall other details you may wish to add. As more information comes to mind, continue to note this in your book.

Once you are satisfied you have all the information you know about the person you are looking for, you will now use these details to guide your search.

The second step involves access to a computer connected to the Internet. If you do not have access to a computer connected to the Internet you may be able to use one at your local library, Internet Café or local hotel. From the information you have in your notebook, conduct as many different search engine searches you can on the name, last known address and telephone number of the person you are looking for. You may also do this for this person's friends and relatives. Turning your closed notebook over so the back cover is facing you, open your book and on the third page in from the back cover, record the date, search engine/website you have checked with exact details of what you checked and the results. It is very important you record a complete log of your search activity in your book so you can map out your search, the information (if any) you have found and avoid wasting time checking the same source more than once, unless its database is updated regularly.

Your notebook after step two should have the details of the person you wish to locate in the front of the book beginning on the third page from the front cover.

When you turn your closed notebook over, with the back cover facing you, your notebook should have the date and details of your research inquiries beginning on the third page from the back cover.

Another way to look at your notebook set-up, is that the information at the front and back of the book are working towards or being recorded on the blank pages in the direction of the centre of the book. Whether you find useable information in your search or do not find anything, it is important to record the outcome in your notebook along with details such as the date and source of where you searched. Although this set-up may seem a bit strange at first, it is an "old school" system for case books used by Detectives around the world since the 19th century. This system enables easy access to the basic reference material in the front of the book and the chronological case/project log in the back without having to fumble through pages. The blank pages at the front and back of the book are filled in with index/page number information for entries of interest after the book is either completely filled or the case/project is closed.

The third step involves a visit to your nearest central reference library. At the library, you will locate the sections that have city/county directories and old telephone directories. You will use these to search for the name and address of the person you are working on locating. You may also do this for the names of their friends and relatives. While there, be sure to mention you are trying to locate a missing friend or relative to the Librarian on duty as they may be able to suggest other directories or records on hand that might be useful.

Don't forget to record the date, name of directory or book and what you found in the back of your notebook.

The fourth step, having done all of this is to carefully review what you have recorded in your notebook. You may deduce where your lost person is, or you may find some additional information that might offer yet another lead to search using the methods we discussed in steps two and three. If you have come to a dead-end as to where your lost person may be, you have two options. The first is to simply keep your notebook in a safe place with the idea that you may "re-open your project" at a later date when there may be more available information. Or, you may take your notebook to a private investigator and engage them to assist you in locating your friend or relative.

If you do find your lost person, be aware that the first contact you make to reach out, preferably by telephone or e-mail must be friendly and respectful. Keep your conversation light and general in order to sense if they wish to rekindle the acquaintance. If they do not, be respectful of their wishes and privacy.

If you are searching for someone and require further information, professional assistance or to request a free preview to my eBook "Missing you:... ", please visit http://www.auturgy.co.uk/books.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sandra_Seidel/1797974

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8307993

_(By Sandra Seidel).