As Laura Ramirez once famously quipped, “Family is essential because we all yearn to feel like we belong to something greater than ourselves.”
Yet, there are moments in life when those precious relationships are severed, often due to reasons beyond your control. Marriage, divorce, migration, adoption, new jobs, changing interests, and disagreements can all cause you to lose touch with a family member over the years. Even cultural and political events like war can cause people to drift apart.
But there is no time like now to reignite those foregone ties. Of course, this is easier said than done. Locating someone you have not been in contact with for several years or decades can be a complex process. Their contact details have likely changed by now or perhaps you know nothing about them apart from a name.
So, how do you track down a family member in such an instant? Here are proven tips to help you out.
Start With a Search Engine
Search engines like Google are designed to uncover online content based on specific keywords. For this, they index trillions of web pages and deploy powerful proprietary algorithms and other advanced technology.
To find information on a search engine, you need identifiable information like a first and last name, nickname, city, high school, and workplace. And if you have any old photos, you can also try a reverse image search and check whether you can get a match.
The more details you have about your family member, the easier it becomes to search and filter the content relevant to them. For instance, a name search could uncover more than one person with the same name. But a city or town your relative lived in could help further narrow down the results based on location.
Keep in mind that unearthing information on search engines involves time and effort. There is also no guarantee of discovering useful material. But it won’t cost you anything, so there is no harm in giving it a try.
Check on Social Media
More than 70% of Americans use social media today. And there is a high likelihood your long-lost family member is among them, too.
Now, it is not practical to go through every single networking platform out there. We suggest selecting a few of the top ones, like Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn, to increase your chances of finding information.
Many sites provide a search bar to discover profiles. Some also offer filters to improve the search results by location, workplace, and the like.
Apart from a basic profile search, there are several ways to find someone using social media. For instance, you can post a message requesting your network to help track down your family member. Many people would be happy to lend a hand and spread the word.
You can also use networking platforms to search for and reach out to others who may know the person you are looking for.
Sign Up With a Genealogy Website
Sites like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and MyHeritage specialize in research into family trees. They are equipped with several useful tools to discover important information about relatives from generations back.
For example, they have large collections of photos, historical documents, and records from census, immigration, military, and similar databases, which you can search using your family member’s name, city, and birth year.
You can also create your family tree online, search public family trees created by other platform users, and let them find yours.
Many genealogy websites offer DNA tests, too, allowing members to trace DNA matches from their databases and uncover both close and distant relatives with greater accuracy.
However, most of them charge a fee for their services. So, check the costs involved and the specific services provided before signing up.
Use a People Search Site
These platforms collect data from public sources, such as marriage records, birth certificates, property registries, criminal records, and social media, which they verify and organize into detailed individual profiles.
This allows them to create massive profile databases, which you can search using a first and last name and, sometimes, a phone number, address, email, or other identifier of the relative you are hoping to find.
Each search can produce an in-depth report containing a range of details, from an individual’s age and marital status to assets owned and criminal histories.
Some sites provide address and phone number histories as well. So, even if you have an old contact number or address of a family member, you might still be able to discover them using these platforms.
But note that many people search sites operate with monthly subscriptions, while some offer a fixed rate per report.
Hire an Investigator
If none of the methods we have discussed above have yielded results, then finding your loved one likely requires professional assistance.
A private investigator (PI) is your best option in such moments.
PIs are substantially costlier, but there are certain advantages to hiring one. They specialize in finding people, so they have access to a vast network of tools, techniques, databases, and connections to conduct deeper research.
Besides, they will act as a dedicated resource to finding your lost relative, saving you time and all the legwork.
However, remember to check references when selecting an experienced investigator and discuss terms and fees prior to confirming the hire.
And once they connect you with your family member, conduct an independent background check to verify the relevant person’s identity. This is critical for avoiding potential scams involving impersonations.
Final Thoughts
Reconnecting with a family member you have lost touch with for several years or perhaps decades can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.
Of course, it presents the prospect of rekindling a cherished relationship. But you can’t overlook the fact that the ultimate outcome of your efforts might not be what you hoped for.
For instance, the person you find may not be who you remember them as. There is also a chance they would not want to reconnect.
So, consider all the potential scenarios and ensure you are prepared for them before you start tracking down your loved one.