So, I have been looking for a really good friend from high school for years. I had joined two different lost friend sites, ran countless web searches for her and had been unable to find her.
My friend from Prineville was over last weekend and wanted to run a search for someone she was looking for the brother of her friend that was with her. She googled a free people search, to find a different search engine, one that would give you an address.
To make a long story short, I decided to try this search and found my friend. I have run a search on this site and some people are not happy with it, because it does give addresses.
I took the address, sent her a letter and last night by email I finally heard from her. She is living in Blain WA and doing well. I cannot tell you how wonderful it was to hear from her. I hope we at least stay in contact by email.
Who else has found a friend using a search on the internet?
There are several sites that can help locate people. While they are all legit in this list, they can provide disreputable sorts with information that can be used to steal identities. That's why many aren't happy about what's out there. Typically though, it isn't the fault of the site, the data is there because many companies sell the data to whomever wants to buy it a couple times a year. That's one of the reasons you see spam increase/decrease on a seasonal basis.
Google.com (you'd be surprised who is out there)
Classmates.com (for more than just schools)
Reunion.com (similar to Classmates)
ZabaSearch.com (free, but does give addresses and phone numbers based on public records) - read this http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20050512.html to find out more about this service and how to get removed from its listings.
And those are just a few. Phone numbers can be looked up in various reverse directories, you can find out names, birth and death dates and social security numbers on http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/(helpful in genealogy and finding families) as well.
Then, there's any number of pay sites. And those are all if you are being honest. You really don't want to know what can be obtained on anyone if a person is willing to be dishonest and has the right information to begin with.
Be cognizant and aware of what's out there, folks.
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Tammala! Best of luck with getting re-acquainted! Just remember, to be cautious, OK?
I say that because I found an old childhood friend through Classmates.com a couple of years ago. We exchanged e-mails for a few weeks... and then I found out about her criminal record. While I was sad that she had such a sordid history I was also glad I hadn't given her any more information than I did.
On the other hand, a couple of other old friends have come into my life in similar ways and we've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each other again.
Best wishes!!
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
I have been in touch with long-lost friends through Classmates.
Sadly enough, my husband was doing a google search for a friend of ours the other night and ran across his obituary. He was just 39 when he died. Even though his death occurred a year and a half ago, it hit both of us hard. He was one of those people who came in and out of our lives...and we always thought we'd see him again. He is sorely missed, even though he's been gone for a while now.
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"You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write it for children."
~~Madeleine L’Engle
I do believe this friend will be okay to get re-aquainted with. I did a Zabasearch on her and not only came across her address, but also a loving and touching memorial web page for her three year old daughter that she lost a couple years ago.
Stacy and I met in middle school, and if she is anything like she was in school, she has not run into that kind of trouble.Except the time she almost got us thrown out of the line at the Bay City Roller concert, because she threw ice at a security gaurd. The worse thing she ever did was marry a worthless first husband. Her words not mine, and I went to that wedding.
We were great friends until we lost touch after I moved from Bellingham just before our junior year. I hope we can talk. I have missed her all these years, but thanks for the warning. I will make sure she is still the girl I remember from years ago, before I tell her to much.
I also did a Zaba on me, my husband, and my sons. The information is not totally accurate.
You know the funny thing about the ones that reunite classmates; on reunion.com I got an email from one of the popular girls who remembered me from school. I didn't even know she knew my name in middle/high school.
I tried and tried to find a lost friend. Tried for about four years and every once in a while I would continue to perform people searches. Even tried to find her sister.
Then one day instead of a people search, I just did a regular yahoo search with her sister's name. She is a teacher and her named showed up in a elementary school webiste teacher list. I went to the school web site, found her name on the list and emailed her with a note explaining 9at tispoint I wasn't sure if I had the right person)
About a week later my friend phoned--she had re-married and was living in Colorado!!!! Her sister had forwarded my email to her! We have since visited her home and we are friends again!
So keep trying--all internet searches!!!
Marilyn w/ Joe, 2000 Xplorer Class B van, usually pulling a Ranger bass boat.
Smudge, (in photo) a Shih Tzu/Yorkie Mix and Gizmo is waiting at the Rainbow Bridge
I have been re-united with several old friends via Classmates.com. We are in the process of becoming re-acquainted. I also found bad news about another friend, my best friend growing up. I had gotten an address via someone on Classmates and sent a letter. Her sister eventually ended up with the letter and passed on the info that my friend had basically disappeared with no notice. Still hoping to be re-united.
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Tammala! Best of luck with getting re-acquainted! Just remember, to be cautious, OK? 
