*The Veterans Alliance Center

Free and Almost Free Places to help you find
that lost friend or family member

The secret to finding anyone is perseverance, nothing else. There are no magical sites that list everyone and for the most part there are no companies that can do more than you can if you want to invest the time and effort. We have put together links that can assist you. Regardless of how far out sometimes some site may seem it may be the one with the key. So try all of them and at many of these sites other places are listed where you can try. The odds are that somewhere on the net that special person is listed. The hard part is to keep on trying until you find them. So don't give up persevere and you should come up with the person you are looking for. These sites are listed as I came across them not on a priority basis. They are all useful in their own way so it is impossible to rate them. There are a lot that we didn't put here because they were either strictly a pay for service venture (and usually not very good) or they advertised but didn't deliver. However if you know of a site that should be listed here please let us know at findit@vets.com. This information is also available in our Information Pack "Looking For..." available at the download area.
Updated 20 December 2003

The US Army Home Page http://www.army.mil	This is more of a guide to what they have or can do. Very little is available on the net. Most require you to request in writing and pay for copies. If the person is on active duty they will help you forward mail to them by name without an address for $3.00.
The National Archives	Here is the agency that is the watch dog over your records and 50,000,000 more veterans both living and deceased. Be sure and download our info pack "Records" to get the forms you need for NARA.
Social Security Number Checks	One of the best deals on the Internet for finding someone. Ran by a lady who does all she can to help vets, does a social sercurity number check through all available records for only $5.00 for members of the AVA and veterans. Don't grumble about the fee that works out to about two bucks an hour. if you are looking for someone and you have the SSAN this is the best five bucks you can spend.
Semaphorecorp.com	Not what it use to be, but what is? It does have some helpful links and services that still make it worth the visit. A Zip Plus 4 locater and more. A victim of declining ad revenues.
www.knowx.com	Has both free and fee services searching public records.
http://www.tray.com/	Just type in a zip code, get back a list. This is one of those you might think far out but isn't. It operates on zip codes so you have to have a good idea what area the person is in but it could help as more people contribute to campaigns than you think. Oh don't know the zip code then try http://www.usps.gov The Post Office web site. I know of one women who found her dead beat spouse this way. Had money for Clinton but not his kids.
Univ. of Buffalo	Don't miss this one it lets you search the four major national telephone directories all from one page. Infospace, Switchboard, Four 11, Yahoo. Plus it has a reverse telephone directory service. Have an old phone number and no name? This will put a name to it. Also links to other helpful sites. All free.
WorldPages.Com	Very good site on phone books from around the world. World Pages is collecting data for the entire planet. Over 230 directories representing over 170 countries! To go global and initiate your search, all you need to do is select a country from the list and you're on your way. Both fee and free services here.
US Government Locater (GILS)	This is a search service of the Federal Government. It searches all of the federal government web sites. If the person you are looking for might be a federal employee this might be a good place to start. Also if you need any government services this will get you to the right place. If the government has it on the Internet this will find it. And NO it won't find your military records except to send you to NARA. By law your records are private.
California Court Records and Others	The California Judicial Council is making extensive court records available on the Internet. The same applies to most state and county courts. To find them use the regional directories at Yahoo or check Piper Resources link below.
Social Security Administration	They will forward a letter for you at a cost of $3.00. if youknow the SSAN for $3.00 they will forward a letter if the person is active in thewir files or return it to you if deceased.
LIBDEX-The Library Index	Want to be overwhelmed with information? This place can do it. It is a catalogue of Public and Private Libraries all over the world. Type in a name and in just a second (very fast server) you have a huge page page full of references. Besides that all sorts of links to other similar resources. A must for any serious researcher.
Financial Data Finder	Developed and maintained by the Ohio State University, this site lists online and off-line sources and resources for obtaining financial data. Why is this here? Well it has tons of links to various financial sites and may just help.
Reference Desk.Com	Another huge reference site, well worth the visit. See to believe! Also great for students or any one wanting general information.
Ancestry.Com	Here you can access the Social Security Index of deceased recipients. If the person you are looking had a SSAN this is a good place to start as you will know if you are looking for a live or dead person. This is a commercial site and the other data bases cost.
The Seeker	Last but certainly not least The Seeker a database of ads strictly for finding others. Has a military section. Excellent service. The VASC has a long relationship with The Seeker's boss, The lady who runs it is very helpful should you write her and a friend of vets! Make sure you put your free ad here. The service is automated so check back frequently.
We are waiting for Your Input. If you know of a helpful link send it to findit@vets.com . If you find any of these links have gone bad please email the same address.
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