{"id":26745,"date":"2017-11-13T11:17:28","date_gmt":"2017-11-13T16:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=26745"},"modified":"2022-07-26T14:28:29","modified_gmt":"2022-07-26T18:28:29","slug":"genealogy-101-genealogy-isnt-just-about-ancestors-finding-the-living","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/genealogy-101-genealogy-isnt-just-about-ancestors-finding-the-living.html","title":{"rendered":"Genealogy 101: Genealogy Isn\u2019t Just about Ancestors \u2013 Finding the Living"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article \u2013 part of an ongoing \u201cIntroduction to Genealogy\u201d series \u2013 Gena Philibert-Ortega gives search tips for finding another important part of family history research: family members still living. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Our main focus in family history research is looking for our dead ancestors. But genealogy is not all about the dead; finding living family members can be equally important. Maybe you\u2019re looking for a cousin you lost contact with, or you think a great-aunt is still alive. Maybe you were adopted and are trying to get in contact with a member of your birth family. Whatever the reason, the following steps will help you find living relatives.<\/p>\n

\"Illustration:<\/a><\/p>\n

First Things First<\/strong><\/p>\n

Amy Urman, a genealogist and private investigator who owns the business Nosy Wilma<\/a>, says the first thing to do when looking for a living relative is to evaluate what you know:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the person\u2019s last known address, how do I know this person, do we have mutual relatives? Just like finding the dead, we need to review everything we know. Then you need a plan.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

A genealogical research plan for finding ancestors would include questions about the person and possible sources; a plan for researching the living should include the same.<\/p>\n

Amy points out that your plan should include county government websites. Databases from the recorder or assessor\u2019s office in the country where the person lived\/lives might help to find someone who owed taxes or owned land. Local court case databases may include probate and other hearings that might also be of use.<\/p>\n

Finally, consider what the person was involved in, including their religion, membership organizations, occupations, and school connections like alumni groups. These connections can provide you additional places to search.<\/p>\n

Ask Google<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the easiest steps you can take is to simply conduct a Google search for the person. Try searching on the person\u2019s name or versions of their name (initials substituting for a first or middle name, misspellings, a woman\u2019s maiden name). One search technique is to use quote marks around their name to indicate an exact phrase search.<\/p>\n

However, remember that an exact phrase search will do just that \u2013 look for that exact phrase, ignoring other possibilities like a middle name or initial. Some possible searches might look like:<\/p>\n