Best Website For Finding Lost Relatives

aalleexx

Hello All,
I would like some advise as to what the best websites or companies are who would assist in searching for lost relatives. I`m am aware that there are a number of sites and companies out there but I am trying to select the best ones who would yield the best results for searching for relatives in the UK . Thank you

JGB1955

It rather depends on what information you already have.  I would start with Ancestry.

Savvy_Sue

And why you're looking, and whether you believe them to be alive or dead

[Deleted User]

It depends on whether they are missing" ( with intent not to be found) or just that you don't know where they are, for the latter you might find them in latest electoral rolls on Findmypast or 192.com. There are companies that charge to search on your behalf ( eg heirs to estates). It depends on what you are trying to find really? I would suggest trying to find them yourself really before paying out to a finding company.  If actually "Missing" try https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/  

[Deleted User]

If you believe that the person/s may have died you can search the death index free on the GRO using full name and plus/minus 2 years each side on https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/Login.asp  also https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills  Both sites I use frequently to help with tracing people ( amateur genealogist). Helpful also for BMDs is https://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl but that only covers up to about 1984. 

RAS

Your local library may have access to the Library edition of Ancestry and a few also have access to findmypast (it's to do with the licence rules for the competing companies).

I haven't used the Library edition to search recent English, Welsh or Scottish electoral rolls records but you may be able to find them up to 2010 for England and Wales, and for Scotland. Then check the address for more recent records on 192.com.

It is worthwhile checking the indexes for their birth certificate, as both websites may know enough about the person to link to possible marriage and death records. But remember these are suggestions, so do check facts.

If you have to buy a certificate, it is MUCH cheaper to apply via the GRO website to which Purbeck14 refers. 

It's also worth identifying relatives and checking their details. I've found people because they are mentioned in obituaries and funeral notices, signed a death certificate or a family member runs a company which is enough to link to a Facebook post identifying the person of interest.

But I can't find everyone.

[Deleted User]

RAS said:

Your local library may have access to the Library edition of Ancestry and a few also have access to findmypast (it's to do with the licence rules for the competing companies).

I haven't used the Library edition to search recent English, Welsh or Scottish electoral rolls records but you may be able to find them up to 2010 for England and Wales, and for Scotland. Then check the address for more recent records on 192.com.

It is worthwhile checking the indexes for their birth certificate, as both websites may know enough about the person to link to possible marriage and death records. But remember these are suggestions, so do check facts.

If you have to buy a certificate, it is MUCH cheaper to apply via the GRO website to which Purbeck14 refers. 

It's also worth identifying relatives and checking their details. I've found people because they are mentioned in obituaries and funeral notices, signed a death certificate or a family member runs a company which is enough to link to a Facebook post identifying the person of interest.

But I can't find everyone.

Some great tips from RAS.  Findmypast has Electoral rolls to 2022. It's also worth checking sites like Zoopla to see if a property has been sold since the last time someone was listed there,  Try also mentions in newspaper archives, and companies house which might lead to someone running a business, this often gives an exact date of birth you can cross check. 

aalleexx

Hi All,
Thank you very much for yor comments. It gives me a good place to start from.

BungalowBel

I found my birth mum and some relatives of my husband's on a site called Missing You.

DE_612183

You can also do a dna text from someone line ancestry - and if there are any matches if gives you the opportunity to reach out.

There are also sites that take your dna record and compare across multiple sites - you'll need to do a bit of research to find out which is best for you depending on your ethnicity.

RAS

DE_612183 said:

You can also do a dna text from someone line ancestry - and if there are any matches if gives you the opportunity to reach out.

There are also sites that take your dna record and compare across multiple sites - you'll need to do a bit of research to find out which is best for you depending on your ethnicity.

You can and it can bring up some interesting results. It's not for without reason that the DNA testing companies warn you that what you think may not be consistent with the DNA results.

You may strike lucky and find a first cousin, which helps identify who is missing. But it may not help you find that person, not everyone is in touch with close relatives. So you still need to do a lot of detective work to find your missing relative.

You may also find burger all. My cousins and I are trying to trace our mutual ancestors and getting precisely nowhere. Part of the problem is that for several generations only one or two children survived and had children, so there are very few live people to test.

Another very distant cousin who's trying to solve an NPE situation hasn't got a single match higher that 25cMs in Ancestry.  She needs to test with the other provider who doesn't allow uploads, and to upload her results into the sites that permit it. That might give her a better match somewhere.

All she can do then is wait and hope someone pops up.