Do you have a friend from childhood that you’ve lost touch with? Maybe you went to different schools, or your families moved away. Or perhaps it’s an old neighbor or work colleague you’re keen to track down. It can be difficult to find someone after years of separation, but it’s not impossible! In this blog post, you’ll learn about some methods that you can use to find your old friends. With the power of the internet at our fingertips, there’s no reason to lose touch with people anymore.
It’s actually very common to lose touch with people over time. According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 43 percent of Americans have lost touch with an old friend or family member in the past five years. Studies by the Survey Center on American Life find similar results. This is due to a variety of factors, including changing careers, relocating to a different city, or even death.
So what different methods can you use to find old friends? Let’s take a look.
1. Social Media
Social media is one of the most popular ways to connect with old contacts. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn allow you to search for people by name or location. You can even use the “People You May Know” feature on Facebook to see if any of your existing contacts are connected with someone you’re searching for. Even if you knew the person before social media existed, many people have a social media profile nowadays, so there’s still a decent chance they have a profile on at least one social channel And if you can’t find the person you’re looking for, look up the names of their children, family members or other friends they used to have – you might just get a lead that way.
2. Online Searches
In addition to social media, you can also find people using online search engines like Google. Simply type their name and the city they used to live in – you might be surprised by what you find! Additionally, many people leave public records behind when they move or change jobs. These can be valuable resources if you’re searching for someone. If you think there’s a chance the person may be serving time in prison, there are specialist websites where you can search for inmates too, such as GDC Inmate Search.
3. Public Records
Public records are a great way to find old friends and family members, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, death records and property deeds. These documents can provide you with valuable contact information, such as an address or phone number. Many public records are available online for free, while others may require a fee.
4. Registered Company Information
If the person you are looking for works or used to work for a registered company, you can use official business registers to find their contact information. In the US, for example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) maintains records of all companies registered with it. You can search the SEC’s EDGAR database to access company documents, such as annual reports. This can be a great way to find someone if you know the business they used to work for. Again, look up the names of their friends or family members if nothing comes up for the person you’re looking for. As soon as you find someone who might still be in touch with your long lost friend, you’ll have an easier way of getting in touch with them.
5. Professional Services
If you’re still struggling to find the person, you can always hire a professional investigator to help you search. A private investigator will have access to databases and other resources not available to the general public. They’ll also be able to provide you with more detailed information about the person you’re searching for. Although hiring a professional can be expensive, it’s worth considering if all else fails.
6. Request Help
If you’re really stuck and can’t find the person you’re looking for, why not put a post out on social media? Ask your friends and family to help you find the person, or post a message on their behalf. You never know – someone might have seen or heard from them recently, and be able to provide you with the information you need. Social media websites such as Facebook have lots of local community groups. So if you know the neighborhood they used to live in, put some posts out on some relevant neighborhood pages. You never know if someone might see it and be able to help.
7. Search Newspaper Databases
You could also try searching newspaper databases for articles about the person. These can be a great way to find out more information about a person, such as their current whereabouts or what they have been up to recently. Many newspapers also offer an online archive of past news stories – so if the person you are looking for used to live in the area, you might be able to find some useful information.
8. Use Ancestry Websites
If you need to find a long lost relative, using an ancestry website can be a great way of tracking them down. With the help of online databases and records, it’s now easier than ever to trace your family tree and find out more about the people in your past. You can search for records such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, school registers and even military records. Although many of these websites require a subscription fee, they can be a great way of uncovering old family secrets and finding lost relatives.
Finding someone you haven’t seen in a long time can be challenging. However, by using the methods outlined above, you should be able to find the person you’re looking for. Good luck!