- If you suspect the person lives in a particular area check for him or her in a variety of online phone directories. If you aren't able to locate them, try searching for an old address which can provide a listing of neighbors and/or the name of the person currently residing in the home all of whom may know more about the present whereabouts of your missing person. You may also want to try a reverse-lookup by telephone number or email address.
>>Phone Directories on the Web - Another excellent resource for locating addresses is the city or householder directory. These have been published for over 150 years, in most U.S. cities. City directories are similar to telephone directories except that they include much more detailed information such as the name, address, and place of employment for every adult within a household. City directories also have sections similar to yellow pages which list area businesses, churches, schools, and even cemeteries. Most city directories can only be researched through libraries, though many more are making their way into Internet databases.
>>City & Householder Directories - If you know where the person went to high school or college, then check with the school or alumni association to see if he/she is a member. If you can't find information for the alumni association, then contact the school directly - most schools have Web sites online - or try one of the many online classmate connection forums.
>>Yearbooks, Alumni Lists, & Reunions - If you know what types of work or hobbies the person is involved with, then try contacting interest groups or professional associations for that field to learn whether he/she is a member.
>>Directory of Associations Online - If you know the individual's religious affiliation, try contacting churches or synagogues in the area where he/she last lived to see if he/she is a member, or whether the membership has been transferred to another house of worship.
>>Churches & Church Records Online - If you know the missing person's social security number, the IRS will attempt to forward a letter to persons whose address is unknown. If you think the person may be deceased, then try a search in the free online Social Security Index which will provide information such as date of death and the address (zip code) where the lump sum death benefit was sent. This can lead you to descendants and other kin.
>>Social Security Records & Death Index Online
If you are successful in finding the person you seek, it is time to take the next step - contacting him or her. Keep in mind as you approach this possible reunion that the person may resent the intrusion, so please tread with care. Hopefully your reunion will be a joyous occasion, and you will never lose touch again.
