Expert advice
Tracing missing relatives

During the Hard Christmas season 2007 Major Michael Sebbage, Director of Family Tracing and Major Graham Kinsley, Assistant Director from The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service responded to people's questions about tracing missing relatives. You can read their responses below.

Find a list of support organisations that can help you trace a missing relative here.

Andrew: I am seeking my sister as I returned to Gloucestershire 9 weeks ago and I cannot find her. Her father died and though I haven't seen her for years, I'd love to see her. I know her name before she got married in the 80s/90s, but don't know her married name. Can you help?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
We will need to know your sister's date of birth, and last known address or whereabouts. If you can provide details of where she was married and when, we may be able to help. Please give us (The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service) a call on 0845 634 4747.

Vincent: I am trying to locate my daughter from my first marriage. I lost touch with her about 15 years ago. I last knew of her whereabouts when she was at college in Banbury, but lost touch. I have tried the usual places to check but have had no luck. I know her full name, date of birth and have her last known address from when she lived with her grandmother, but I believe they had a falling out and stopped speaking. What should I do to try and find her?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
Please give us a call on 0845 634 4747. We will take some basic details from you, i.e. your daughter's name, date of birth, and last known address or whereabouts, plus your own full name and contact details. We will then send you an Enquiry Form to complete and sign.

Lesley: I left England for Australia in 1968 and am looking for my half brothers and sisters. Where do I start?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
We suggest Lesley contacts The Salvation Army's Tracing Services in Australia who will take the initial details about her query. If there is sufficient information to begin a search we will work with our Australian colleagues in the search for any relatives that might be in the UK. Lesley can telephone our national headquarters in Australia Tel: 61 02 6273 3055 or email us here in the UK at family.tracing@salvationarmy.org.uk

Simon: I was adopted when I was a baby and would love to find my sister and brother Sarah and Jason. Can you help?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
Sadly, we don't have access to the records of adopted cases but Simon can try the Adoption Contact Register. There are three numbers depending on where he was born: England and Wales on
0151 471 4830, Northern Ireland on 028 9025 2000 or for Scotland contact Birthlink on 0131 225 6441.

John: My father left when I was five. I've never met him and my mother never spoke of him. I tried to trace him through The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service many years ago, but with no success. I was wondering whether techniques have since moved on and if a new search should be made? Or do you think I'd be wasting my time?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
Yes. Techniques and technology have moved on. It may be possible for us to find your father nowadays. If he was married to your mother and his name is on your birth certificate, and if you can supply his full present name, date of birth, and last known address (or whereabouts), we may be able to help. Please contact The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service on 0845 634 4747.

Rhona: For some time now I have been trying to trace the son of an elderly couple who I am friendly with. I have searched the internet for information and have come up with a few bits and pieces but nothing concrete. I have his name and date of birth. My friends are now in their 80's and have been unwell this year and would like to know if Stuart is ok and has had a happy life. They are not expecting anything from him, just to know if he is alive would be enough. I have tried sites in the UK and some abroad, but so far can't come up with anything, perhaps the fact that I can't find a death posting means he is still alive? What should I do next?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
Presumably you are acting on behalf of the elderly couple who are looking for their son. From the information you have supplied (i.e. full name, date of birth, last known whereabouts and marriage details etc.) we may be able to help. Please contact us on 0845 634 4747 when we can talk you through the process, take your contact details and those of the elderly couple, and send you an Enquiry Form.

Mark: My father was kept away from me from the age of 1. I was never told that my step father was not my real father. This had and still has a massive effect on all our relationships and leaves a hole in my life which only somebody in this position can really understand. I would like to find my father now as I have just had a son and wish to be open and honest with him at all costs with him. I'm not looking to replace existing individuals or even get answers.... my thoughts are that this man has a right to know what became of me and have the opportunity that perhaps he was never allowed. I am limited as to what I can discuss with my parents as they have shut the door on the subject. So where do I start?

The Salvation Army's Family Tracing Service:
Your position is understood. It is natural to want to know your real father, and that you want him to know you and give him the chance he was denied when you were just a year old. Now, as a father yourself, you want to enjoy the same relationship with your father as your son does with you. Provided your father was married to your mother, and his name is on your birth certificate, we may be able to help. We would need to know his full name, date of birth, and last known address (or whereabouts). Please contact us on 0845 634 4747, and we will talk you through the process.

Back to top