Searching for Families - Cheaply!

Red1708

Hi

I was wondering if anybody has done any family searches / family trees and what was the cheapest way in which to do it?

I was adopted by my birth mum and step dad when I was three, I've now decided to try and find my birth father and to be honest I'm not really sure where to start. I've got his name (both birth name and name he changed to when his mum re-married), DOB, Marriage and divorce details (between him & mum), know that he joined the army in late 1969. I've received 'counselling' from an adoption agency and have applied for my original birth certificate but every time I think I've found something the websites I've been trying then request subscription charges.

Is there a way to do these sorts of searches without spending large amounts of money? Can any of it be done for free?

Thanks

barjam_2

i tried the free 14 days with ancestry.co.uk i had to give credit card details etc... but made sure i cancelled before 14 days were up. i wasn't looking for anything in particular like in your case, but did find a few things regarding family, also have you tried the salvation army my hubby received a letter from them as someone from holland was trying to find him and they contacted s/a as they had no luck anywhere else finding him. . might be worth a try... good luck

scottish_lassy

Have you tried just googling the information you have? I have been doing family research for the past few months and it's amazing how much information you can get just through this way. Another good website, with people who can access different data is rootschat.com. If you know the area your dad lives in this would help as the forum is split into areas - best of all - it is free!

Best of luck with your search

Mrs_P_Pincher

Whilst I accept what the other respondents have said, you are unlikely to get very far with this without having to pay. The MSE way to deal with this is to find a friend who has a subscription to Ancestry and 192.com and will do look ups for you.

If this is not breaking board rules, and I know someone will tell me if it is, I may be able to help. I can't work out how the personal messaging works, so will need someone to tell me, and I certainly wouldn't want you to put any personal details on an open board, but if we can get it together at least we can have a 'chat'.

He's probably not gone very far - the last one I located was only a couple of miles away from where he was last seen in 1975.

Mrs P P

inkie

Ancestry is usually free at your local library.

Red1708

scottish_lassy wrote: »

Have you tried just googling the information you have? I have been doing family research for the past few months and it's amazing how much information you can get just through this way. Another good website, with people who can access different data is rootschat.com. If you know the area your dad lives in this would help as the forum is split into areas - best of all - it is free!

Best of luck with your search

yeah but unfortunately I'm not very good at searching on google. I keep getting results for his first name or surname but not together

Red1708

Mrs_P_Pincher wrote: »

Whilst I accept what the other respondents have said, you are unlikely to get very far with this without having to pay. The MSE way to deal with this is to find a friend who has a subscription to Ancestry and 192.com and will do look ups for you.

If this is not breaking board rules, and I know someone will tell me if it is, I may be able to help. I can't work out how the personal messaging works, so will need someone to tell me, and I certainly wouldn't want you to put any personal details on an open board, but if we can get it together at least we can have a 'chat'.

He's probably not gone very far - the last one I located was only a couple of miles away from where he was last seen in 1975.

Mrs P P

Thanks,

I'm not sure if what you're suggesting is against the forum rules. As far as sending PM's is concerned, you need to go to User CP then from the options on the right hand side click 'Edit Options' then there is a section for private messaging, under that there is an option to allow members to send you a private message. Ensure that is checked and save. To send a pm to somebody, click their username and a drop down menu will appear, then select 'send a private message'

HTH

barjam_2

Red1708 wrote: »

Thanks,

I'm not sure if what you're suggesting is against the forum rules. As far as sending PM's is concerned, you need to go to User CP then from the options on the right hand side click 'Edit Options' then there is a section for private messaging, under that there is an option to allow members to send you a private message. Ensure that is checked and save. To send a pm to somebody, click their username and a drop down menu will appear, then select 'send a private message'

HTH

or to send a pm if mrs p pincher is looking at this thread she can click your user name (that's if she is trying to send you a pm) and a list comes up there
and she will see "send a message to this person"

Debt_Free_Dreamer

Red1708 wrote: »

yeah but unfortunately I'm not very good at searching on google. I keep getting results for his first name or surname but not together

Have you tried using speach marks.

Enter "John Smith" and not just John Smith

The latter searches for either word. The former (with the speach marks) looks for the exact match of 'John Smith'

UglyBetty

There is lots of help and advice that you can access free - the adoption agency should be able to advise you, alternatively try the free helpline at the Post-Adoption Centre (www.postadoptioncentre.org.uk) 020 7284 5879, (mon-fri 10-1 except Thurs 5.30-7.30)
There is helpful advice on:
www.adoptionsearchreunion.org.uk
www.familyrecords.gov.uk
You can also access records of how long he lived at the last known address - go to the local studies section of the district library, they are usually very helpful.

Genes re-united have a search facility and are reasonably priced, for example you could search the marriage registers to see if he re-married.

Would your mother know where any of his family lived? They might know where he is now. This option is likely to produce the best results, although it can sometimes feel difficult asking.

You can ask your local council to provide, or tell you which agency provides an intermediary service to help you. Only a registered adoption support agency can provide this service - or you can find a local service to you by going on the Adoption Search & Re-union website.

Ms_Chocaholic

I'm also happy to help. I searched and found my OH's birth mother (unfortunately she doesn't want any contact as no-one in her family knows of my OH) we didn't even have her new surname but I managed.

If you'd like any help, please PM me.

Ms C x