Are you looking for a long lost friend or a former classmate? Maybe you are looking for your ancestor or some relative posted in a military service? If so, then you are amongst thousands of surfers you hit the WWW each day to search for missing people.

Most think that internet is a futile tool for searching missing people. Well, they are wrong. There are many strategies to find information about people. You can easily get a person’s name, address, occupation, phone number or any other data to locate his identity. Here are some of the best people search tips and hints to help you get the desired results:

1. Access alumni lists, year books or reunion sites:

If you are looking for your long lost buddy, you may check with the alumni association or school to see whether he or she is a member. Alternatively, you can contact the school directly to check whether your friend was a high school alumnus. You can also access the school website. The best way is to try the various online reunion sites or classmates forums.

1. The City Directory can be the best solution for your people search problems:

The City or household directory is an excellent resource for locating address. In US cities, these directories are published since the late 18^th century. City directories differ from normal phone directories because they provide detailed information about a person including name and address as well as office/company address.

Just like any other Yellow Page directory, City directories also have similar sections which include info about churches, schools, cemeteries and even businesses. There are two options to access city directories, either through internet databases or public libraries.

1. Web-based phone directories:

If you have any idea about a person’s whereabouts, better opt for phone directories on the internet. You can also search for an old address. It can enhance your search further by listing the names and addresses of neighbors. However, if you conduct a reverse-lookup by email address and telephone number.

1. Perform an online people search using church records:

Although there are remote chances of getting any detailed information about a person via church records, you can still use it as a people search tool. The only criterion required is the individual’s religious affiliation. If you know this, then you can contact synagogues or churches in your area to see whether your friend or relative is a member. There are many churches that have an online service. You can contact and get information from these sites.

1. Death index and social security records online:

The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) can be very useful to you if you have the social security number of the missing number. They can help you by locating the person’s address. There is also a free online Social Security Index that can provide information for deceased person. They will give you info about the person’s address, the date of death and the zip code. This will help you to locate the deceased person’s family or descendants.