If you want to look for the old friends you used to spend time with, now is an ideal time to begin your search. You can rekindle the friendships that contribute positively to your well-being and happiness. Luckily, it's easier than ever to find old friends, thanks to online networking, websites and organizations that can help you in your search. Armed with basic information about your friend, you can launch a search.
Step 1
Utilize social networking websites to help you locate your friend. Sites like Facebook, MySpace, Friendster and LinkedIn offer search functions where you can type in your friend's first and last name to see if she uses the website. Even if your friend doesn't use the service, you can search for common acquaintances or people who may have kept in touch with your old friend to see if you can find her through others. Time magazine notes that Facebook attracts older users, which may make it more likely that you'll find your friend.
Step 2
Search through your address book to find the last contact number you had for your old friend. While the address might be hopelessly outdated, contacting the family that lives at the address now could net you a few leads. They may have a forwarding address for mail purposes that you can write to, or a new phone number for your old friend that they exchanged when the ownership of the home changed hands.
Step 3
Contact friends, family members, co-workers or acquaintances who may knew your friend. For instance, if you know that your friend worked for a certain company, contacting the office and asking if they have information about where he went after he left the job could lead you to his new employment site. The Maryland Legal Assistance Network recommends drafting a letter that explains why you're looking for your friend as a more professional way to get in touch with people who may remember him.
Step 4
Contact your school's alumni association if your old friend was someone who you went to school with. Schools often send out alumni newsletters to those who graduated from the school, which means they may have an updated address for your friend. You may also find out about upcoming events like reunions, where you may have a chance to reconnect with your old friend, or with those who may know where she is.
Step 5
Hire a private investigator if your leads turn cold. While you may not have the resources to find your old friend on your own, a private investigator may have contacts and services that do the job for you. If finding your old friend is especially important to you, a professional makes the search easier and often more fruitful.
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