Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Begin Your Search for a Lost or Missing Person
• Method 2 of 3: How to Find Missing People on Various Sites
• Method 3 of 3: Finding a missing person using electronic databases
• Tips
• Warnings

Have you ever thought about finding a lost or missing person online? This article contains tips on how to find a missing childhood friend or family member you haven't seen for a long time using the Internet. All you need is a working web browser and some free time.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Begin Your Search for a Lost or Missing Person

1. 1 Inquire about the missing person. Before starting your search, spend some time gathering information about the person you are looking for. Think of any details about his personality, such as hobbies, favorite phrases, or even initials and place of birth. Knowing your date of birth will make things much easier. It is necessary to remember the specific aspects of a person's personality, his tastes and oddities.
2. 2 Start searching immediately. As soon as you collect information about the missing person, start your search. Don't put off this venture. The sooner you start, the more likely you are to find the person you want.
3. 3 Build on the information you have already found. If you've been looking for a person for a while and then stopped looking, don't start over. Even if you're stumped, find a starting point and keep looking.
4. 4 Search the Internet for information using a search engine. Use popular search engines like Google, Bing, or Yahoo to get started. Enter the details you know about the missing person, such as name, age, state (known or suspected), and specialty. The University of Buffalo has a library list of the best search engines for finding information and people on the internet.
5. 5 Be persistent and keep looking. Even if the first time you were unable to locate the person, this does not mean that you need to give up. If you don't learn anything new the first time, try searching again a few days later and keep doing it regularly.

Method 2 of 3: How to Find Missing People on Various Sites

1. 1 Use a genealogy service on the internet. Genealogy sites such as Ancestry.com or FamilySearch.org provide access to archives that will help you build a family tree and learn more about unknown relatives. Some genealogy services on the Internet provide DNA testing to complement the information you find in electronic databases. data.
   • Use DNA testing services to help you get accurate results. DNA genealogy services have successfully reunited many siblings, as well as parents and their children. If the missing person is a blood relative, a genealogy service can help you locate that person.
2. 2 Look up the archives of your local trade organization for the information you need. If you know the profession of a missing loved one, look for it in the relevant trade affiliate databases. Using this method, you can find out where the person you need works, or at least reduce your search criteria to a city or region.
3. 3 Search social media. Search for your missing friend or relative using social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Try to consider different options for the person's first and last name, first and middle name, or nickname.
4. 4 Search the prison system. If you are still unable to find information about a lost relative or friend, search the prison system. The Federal Bureau of Prisons website is equipped with a search engine that allows you to find prisoners in the United States by name.
5. 5 Use a people search site. Try to find your lost friend or relative using people search sites like Pipl, Zabasearch, and YoName. These sites take information from social networks, blogs, and other sites where your friends or family can be registered.
6. 6 Browse the court archives. The Vehicle Registration Department website contains forensic archives that can assist you in your search for a missing person. You just need to select the name of the missing person from the list and view the specific details that match his description.

Method 3 of 3: Finding a missing person using electronic databases

1. 1 Register on the missing persons website. Create an account with a missing people database such as NAMUS. Also known as the National Missing and Unidentified People System, this database is a United States government-funded site that enables law enforcement and ordinary people to add the personal file of the person you want or track the personal files of all missing people.
2. 2 Add the missing person's personal file to the site. Include basic details, photographs and more detailed information about the missing person in the case. Provide as much information as possible to help locate the person you are looking for.Remember that a person's appearance may have changed during this time.
3. 3 Print missing person announcements. The NAMUS system allows users to create and print missing persons announcements. After submitting this ad about the person you are looking for, you need to post or distribute information in your area or where he was last seen.
4. 4 Check back regularly for updates. Perseverance is very important when looking for a missing person, so check your account every day and regularly check the forums on the site to communicate with those who, like you, are looking for loved ones.

Tips

• New information is added every day on genealogy sites and other electronic databases, so you should repeat the search after a few weeks if you cannot find enough information the first time.
• Don't use only capital letters when searching. Capitalize the first letters only in first names, surnames and patronymics. Some search engines are sensitive enough that the use of capital letters can lead to inaccurate results.

Warnings

• Beware of online scams. Scammers on the Internet often hunt for the most vulnerable categories of citizens, so be careful when they send you emails from websites. Learn to recognize the most common types of fraud, and you will protect yourself from identity theft and deception.