It is common to lose track of old school friends after graduation, but the Internet, school alumni offices and public records databases offer numerous resources that can help you reconnect. If you cannot remember your old school friend's full name or are unsure about the spelling, go through yearbooks, letters and newspaper clippings and try to find his first and last name before you begin your search. This will streamline the process and make sure you don't miss any important leads.
Step 1
Contact your old school. Many high schools and colleges have alumni associations that collect contact information for graduates, including telephone numbers and email addresses. Visit your school's website or call the administrative offices, let them know the name of the friend you are looking for and give them your contact information so they can get back to you if they find any leads.
Step 2
Join social networking sites. Search online social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, MyLife and Classmates.com. Many of these websites allow you to search for old friends by name, school and graduation year.
Step 3
Talk to mutual friends. If you're in contact with persons who may remember your old school friend, ask them when they last talked to her and where she was living at the time. Even if they don't have current contact information for your friend, they may be able to give you valuable clues about where to search next.
Step 4
Search public record databases. If you know the city or state where your old school friend may be living, search the municipality's marriage, divorce and property records. These public records are free and available online in many jurisdictions.
Step 5
Retain the services of a people search company or private investigator. If you can't find your old school friend on your own, a private investigator or online premium people search service may be able to help you. These services usually work best if you know your old friend's full name, age and birth date.
References
- Electronic Privacy Information Center: Privacy and Public Records
- "The Everything Private Investigation Book"; Sheila Stevens; 2008
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