Finding relatives

Mrshaworth2b

Brief history -

My mum was put into care many moons ago, she was fostered and brought up by the family that I class as family now

Me and my sibling met our biological family around 19 years ago. My mum was in contact with them up until around 2000/2001 via letter.

My mum died 5 years ago, I found an address for one of her siblings and wrote to them to let them know. My mums biological mum rang off a withheld number and said she would call back but never did. I didn't leave an address with the sibling and I threw the address away.

Anyway since having my own children it has occurred to me that I do not know anything about my mums family, I.e family tree, medical history.

So I decided to try and find out, I got in touch with Salvation Army but they pretty much want you to do all the leg work and then pay £45 to send a letter. I know my biological grandparents address, dob, date of marriage. So i don't want to have to pay £45 just for a letter but also I'm not sure I want to give my address to them in a letter.

I don't know these people, what happens if they showed up at my door? I guess I'm just asking what else I can do? A safe way to get in contact without paying the Salvation Army?

Any help is really appreciated

Mojisola

An email address or a mobile phone number?

Mrshaworth2b

The people I am trying to find are nearly 90, I'm thinking they won't have an email address. I suppose the telephone number could be an option. Thanks

Mojisola

Mrshaworth2b wrote: »

The people I am trying to find are nearly 90, I'm thinking they won't have an email address. I suppose the telephone number could be an option. Thanks

Would there be younger relatives who are computer savvy?

Also, I have relatives in their late 80s who are on their Ipads for hours a day, so they might have their own emails.

littlejaffa

Without meaning to be negative if I were you i'd start with births deaths & marriages, as the people you're looking for are old, they might not still be alive. From a family point of view it can also give you and idea of any possible inherited conditions that may have caused their death (heart problems etc).

I'm not sure from your comment on the salvation army if you're not happy to do the leg work - or not happy that you do the work then they write the letter (presumably if you did the legwork you could send the letter yourself and save the £45 is that's an issue?).

If you're happy to do the legwork start with 192 online - they're great when you have a name - they'll give you (free) enough info to know if it's the person you're looking for (age/area/full name) then you can pay to see the full details, name, address, tel no etc.

If you want to pay someone to do the work for you there's lots of genealogists (myself included) that can do this for you for a fee greater than £45.

Mrshaworth2b

I've done all the legwork, sorry if I haven't explained it well in my first post. When I contacted the Salvation Army they wanted last known address, date of birth of the person I wanted to contact. I've since found this out, I've also seen that they are still on the electrol roll for last year, and I've found their address. I've found their birth and marriage certificate but no death certificate. So my issue was, do I pay £45 and keep my address secret until I feel happier with the people I am talking to. Or is there another way of me doing it?

Ms_Chocaholic

Do these people know you exist? Can you just pop round?
Sorry I'm a little confused by your post.

Also do they have a common surname, ie if you wanted to try and find other relatives.

Mrshaworth2b

No I cannot just pop round they live miles away and I do not know the names of any of the other siblings to be able to find them