Genealogy Chat

How possible is it to trace someone? Say for example 1982-2005. I'm trying to trace a cousin of mine (who disapeared with his mother years ago). Wondering also about peoples rights regarding finding relatives (say you were father of the child which was taken away by the mother for example). Any help welcome. Steve

Steve Not sure exactly what you are after. The GRO indexes will show whether someone married or died in that period. They will be listed in the electoral roll if old enough to vote, and in the phone book if they are a subscriber. As for adoptions, I the GRO have this message: 'Adoptions Adoption Contact Register If you are an adopted person who wants to make contact with a birth relative Created in 1991, the Contact Register is a database which allows adopted adults and their birth relatives to register if they would welcome contact. To be eligible for registration applicants need to be 18 years or over. The Register cannot help an adopted person to learn the whereabouts of a birth relative unless the relative has chosen to be entered on the Register. The Contact Register is in two parts and there is registration fee of £15 for Part 1 and £30 for Part 2. Part 1 of the Register is for any adopted adult to apply if they are hoping for contact to be made with a birth relative. Part 2 of the Register is for any birth relative who can satisfy this office of their relationship to the adopted person. When a registration is entered on the database from either party, a search is made for matching details. If a link is made both parties will be notified, but only the adoptee will be provided with the current name and address. This is because the onus is always on the adopted person to make initial contact. Some registrations remain on the database for many years and a link may not happen at all.' If a father is not named on a child's original birth cert I'm not sure if he has any legal rights at all. nell

Thanks. I just need to know modern methods. Mother and father weren't married but he was listed on birth certificate. Steve

Steve,, Males are nearly always easier to trace than females;;;even modern times,,and I'm talking without any name changes; If he is on the current uk electoral role as the name he was then he could be found;; but listed at the last known address ,,as he could have moved just after the form was filled in,,, Kay.

The GRO has a traceline service that I have sucessfully used to find my Dad's brother who hasn't been seen for forty years. I wouldn't have found him without them as he was using a variation of his surname and at the opposite end of the country than I was expecting. Pippa

First of all I would do an electors roll search (if you think he would be old enough) or for the mother if not. There's b4usearch, 192 and I think people on the records board would do a search for you. If no record - might not be registered or has married - would have a look at the fiches at a central library or see if someone would do a BDM lookup for you. You could try leaving a message on www(.)lookupuk(.)com or missing-you.net. Channel 4 has a Lost Touch section on teletext page 151. Also if you know of a relative of the woman you might perhaps contact them and ask them to pass a message on for you if they won't give you an address.

Tracesmart.co.uk - if you know the persons full name and don't mind spending a few quid. (£6 per search I think it is) It will come up with all of the 'Jo Bloggs' etc in Britain. Liz