Searching for People and the Investigative Mind

Searching for someone is a process that actually occurs in layers. First of all, you gather and assemble all the information possible about the person you want to find. Next, you visit resources and online message boards to search for additional tidbits about the person, as well as post your own details and desires. Finally, once you put together as many facts as you can, you need to have an investigative mind to continue effectively with your search.

Of course, at the core of an investigative mind is good old-fashioned common sense and the ability to pay attention to details. If you have the person's name and last known address, a good place to start is the telephone book or InfoSpace. Although such a search could yield many results under the same name, one of them could be the person you are looking for. This is where common sense comes in – such as which one of the people resides closest to the long lost person's last known address or hometown? Listing results in order of probability gets you one step closer to locating the person you are searching for.

Another way to find someone is by doing an online search at web sites such as Google or Alta Vista. You may find links to the person you are looking for, or to others that are looking for the same person and may have relevant facts you do not.

Make sure you have spoken to everyone you know who might have any information about the person you are seeking. What seems to be an irrelevant anecdote could actually hold the key to locating that special someone. Jot down notes when you talk to people so that you do not miss any details along the way. A review of these notes later on could offer a pertinent piece to your puzzle, so keep careful records of conversations. Always ask the people you speak with if they know anyone else who could be helpful and try to get names and contact details so that you can talk to them.

When you speak with people you do not know, use your best discretion and act like an investigator. Approach the person cautiously and use subtle tactics to encourage them to open up to you, such as mentioning the person's name who recommended you contact them or an anecdote about the person you are looking for. Be creative and even use believable stories, but never pretend you are a member of law enforcement – that's against the law.

After exploring your personal resources, speaking to everyone available and posting on online message boards, consider perusing public records for information. The Family Records Centre in London has volumes filled with births, deaths and marriages. Exploring public records could yield additional information, such as a current name and address, about the person you are looking for.

If you are attempting to locate someone, you should be easy to find, too. Make sure you are listed in the telephone book. Post details about yourself and the person you are searching for at online message boards. Consider creating a personal web site to make it easier to locate you through an Internet search. Perhaps the person is looking for you on his or her own accord or because they heard you are searching for them, so make yourself available.

As you can see, a great deal of time, effort and research is required to effectively search for someone you want to find. Also, once you find the person they may be hesitant or scared to even speak to you. Consider employing a skilled investigator and genealogist to assist you with your efforts. A trained professional knows has specialized research experience and the ability to use information that may seem meaningless to you. Further, an investigator and genealogist can act as a mediator once that special someone has been located. Having a go-between who knows how to handle these sensitive situations can mean the difference between a successful reunion or never getting to meet with that long lost person.

By combining some elementary investigative skills of your own with the superior capabilities of an experienced investigator and genealogist, you are well on your way to finding that someone special.