Finding Lost Relatives...Advice?

NatMast_2

Has anyone had success in finding lost relatives? And how did they manage it?

I only found out a few years ago that the person who I was brought up to believe was my dad in fact wasn't. Now, that man has done more than I could ever expect of him. If he could handle me during my teenage years then even now in my 20's I have the utmost of respect. (I was a vile teen!) He is my world and I love him dearly, and finding out that information hasn't changed anything between us.

However, I can't help but be curious of not only my biological father, but that whole side of the family. I find it genuinely saddening that I could have another set of grandparents out there, or a set that passed away without even knowing me. I would have no idea!

The internal battle I have is that he's not exactly tried to find me as far as I know. I should mention that he left when I was only one year old. He came back once when I was four to take me out for some food but then that was it. I assume he saw the happy family life and decided to leave for the best. Who knows. I have spoken about this with my mother but she no longer has contact information for him. I don't know the circumstances of why he left and to be honest, it doesn't really matter. Curiosity will always get the best of me!

Also, I'm an only child. So it would be nice to find out if I had half brothers/sisters. I'm sure it wouldn't be happy families but I just want to know.

The only information I have for him is from my birth certificate and he has one of the most generic surnames possible. I have tried endless social media searches and relied on google for so long. A lovely lady tried to help me with my cause but she just gave up.

If anyone has any advice whatsoever (besides personal investigators, I just can't afford one for what they charge!) then it would be greatly appreciated, so thank you in advance.

sophieschoice

Have you tried the Sally Army?

http://www.look4them.org.uk/salvation-army.html

NatMast_2

They couldn't do much because I didn't have his date of birth or many details at all. I am aware that it is painfully hard to find someone with a common last name though! I only have a vague idea of age though I do know a previous job he had.

My searches mainly revolved round the home shire but he could very well have moved from there but with a surname so common there were just thousands upon thousands of people!

RAS

Were your parents married?

Also, England, Wales, Scotland as the regsitration rules are different.

NatMast_2

Nope, my biological father and mother never married. I have been born and bred in Leicestershire too.

girlsmum

where was his last known address are you sure he has moved?
apart from his name does your mum know anything else about him, she must have known his age ie how much older or younger he was than her, the area he was born etc. if he has siblings

Your mum is the only one who can help

RAS

I was going to say something similar.

Your mother may know where he used to live?
What occupation?
Information about his age?
She may know the names or addresses of his parents or other relatives?

You may then need to hunt through old electoral rolls in the relevant from the years either side of your birth?

That might locate him or possible hims with family members? Or identify possible middle names?

Toucan_Pecan

Try 23andme (genetic testing as tracing company)

http://blog.23andme.com/23andme-customer-stories/amys-story/

seawaves

The TV programme "Long lost family" are looking for new participants: http://www.itv.com/beontv/shows/long-lost-family

whitewing

Would your grandparents be able or willing to help you by telling you anything they know? They may have even met his parents etc or know relatives of him.

Do they even know that you know?

NatMast_2

We don't have a last known address unfortunately..this is over twenty years ago now and I know they both moved out of the same property and went their separate ways.

This is genuinely all the information I have and not for lack of trying. I know he worked as a gardener in Market Harborough somewhere for a while but that's the only thing I have to go on job wise.

His vague age must be about 45-46ish but give or take a couple of years either side.

No information about his parents or anything, I am genuinely quite lost. It's okay saying my mother would be able to help but this is all the information she has after twenty years. My grandparents don't know much either, they're getting on a bit. Only my mother, who I call my dad and my mothers grandparents know that I know, if that makes sense.

I have debated going on a programme such as that but I don't want that part of my life advertised at all.