Finding a lost relative

mills112

Has anyone tried to trace a lost relative in the UK before? I googled how to find a relation that you had lost contact with many years ago in the UK and the website "missingpeople.org.uk" came up, which is a charity that offers a free finding service.

Anyone heard of this organisation?

Anyone got experience of finding someone before and can give pointers?

sheramber

not heard of it but the Salvation Army provide a tracing service.

gwynlas

You could look for significant events on Ancestry at your local library and also search local papers in their area.

How long ago did you lose contact?

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82137222#Comment_82137222

this one is a difficult one as it is my FIL looking and the last time he had contact was in 1984 🙄 and so no idea where that person lives in the country now, or if that person is even alive or living abroad. i think it may be a no hoper. That person would be 66 years old now if he is alive as they lost contact when he was 24 years old.

Cairnpapple

Facebook is worth a try. If you don't know where the person is now but you know where they grew up or went to school, it may be worth posting on local groups for the place they grew up or alumni groups.

DiamondLil

There is a very helpful Facebook group.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/797215091555252

sheramber

You can search on Ancestry for a date of death without an address.

That might confirm whether or not they are still alive.

We get posts on our local community facebook asking if anyone has any information about someone who lived in the town many years ago.
sometimes there is someone who still has contact.

RAS

If you check his birth (and marriage) details on Ancestry or other family history sites, it may identified his death, or suggest a possible electoral roll record. Doesn't mean it's perfect but often works.

Or identify his siblings using the general register office, based on surname, mother's surname, years and location, then try and find them or their children. They may be easier than finding him.

MayDogsandCoffee

You might also need to consider that some people do not wish to be 'found' and if you do trace them they may reject contact.

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82138476#Comment_82138476

yeah, to be honest, i think it is a bad idea but i can't go into the personal details of this case.

i may persuade my FIL to leave it as they fell out and stopped contact, so it is not your usual lost contact scenario. i don't think the other person wants any contact with my FIL to be honest.

MayDogsandCoffee

@mills112 It can be difficult, I would go via Salvation Army as such who act as 'middleman'. I hate seeing the FB posts asking if anyone knows whoever, and everyone discloses, without understanding the back story.