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A long time ago, something might have happened within your family. Maybe your parents got a divorce, or maybe you were adopted. Whatever the case may be, you now find yourself wondering about your family members that you have lost touch with. You want to find them again and reconnect, but you’re not sure how to go about it.
Fortunately, the internet has made it easier than ever to find long-lost family members online. With a little bit of digging, you can easily locate the information you need to get in touch with your long-lost relatives.
Here are some tips on how to find long-lost family members online:
Look Up Old Records
If you know the names of your relatives, you can start by looking up old records. Many government offices and public libraries have records that are available online. You can also find records through private companies that specialize in genealogy research.
These records can include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and more. By searching through these records, you may be able to find information about your long-lost relatives, such as their current address or phone number.
Search Social Media Sites
Another way to find long-lost family members online is to search social media sites. Many people use social media to stay in touch with friends and family members, so there’s a good chance that your long-lost relatives are on one of these sites.
Try searching for your relatives on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you can’t find them on these major sites, try searching for them on more obscure social media platforms.
You may also want to try searching for your relatives on genealogy forums. These forums are full of people who are interested in researching their family history, so you may be able to find some helpful information on these sites.
Google Them
One of the simplest ways to find long-lost family members online is to just Google their names. If your relative is a public figure, or if they have an unusual name, you may be able to find their contact information with a simple Google search.
If you can’t find your relative’s contact information, you may still be able to find some information about them by searching for their name on news sites, blog posts, and other online resources.
Doing a more advanced google search might be helpful as well. To do a more advanced search, click on the “Settings” gear icon in the top-right corner of the Google search page. From there, you can select “Advanced Search.”
This will allow you to specify more parameters for your search, such as the location where your relative lives or the type of information you’re looking for.
Use a People Search Service
There are sites specifically designed to search for people online. These can be useful if you’re having trouble finding information about your relative through traditional methods.
Sites like unmask.com allow you to search for people by their name, address, phone number, zip code, SSN, email address, and many more. You can also use these sites to find out if someone has an arrest record, a criminal record, or a bankruptcy.
There are many other people’s search services available online, so be sure to do some research to find the best one for your needs.
Be careful to vet the site you use, as some of these services are not free. You may also want to consider the privacy implications of using a people search service before you decide to use one. Some of the sites are also rather sketchy, so be sure to look at reviews before using one.
Hire a Private Investigator
If you’ve tried all of the methods above and you still can’t find your long-lost relative, you may want to consider hiring a private investigator.
A private investigator can help you find someone by conducting a thorough search of public records and other online resources. They can also use their resources to track down people who are not easily found online.
Keep in Mind…
Conducting an online search for long-lost relatives can be a time-consuming process. You may not find your relative right away, and you may have to try several different methods before you’re successful. However, with a little patience and perseverance, you should be able to find the information you’re looking for.