The world is getting smaller every day, and nothing proves that more than the WorldwideWeb. At the click of a button, you can find out almost anything, and trace almost anyone in the world. So if you are looking for people, perhaps an old schoolfriend, a work colleague, or maybe even an ex-lover, then the Internet is the obvious place to start.

The first and most obvious place to start is "Google". Just type in the name of the person you are looking for, and press "search". You will be amazed at what you find. One day, a few months ago, I was having a bored moment at work, and decided to "find" my first boyfriend from schooldays. Not even expecting success, I typed his name into "Google", and within three minutes I had found a photo of him as he is today (very different from thirty years ago!), and also found out where he worked, and his email address. No, I did not pursue this information, - times have moved on and I am in a relationship with someone else now, but it still proved just how easy it is to trace people on the Net. Yahoo is another useful website to start your search.

If you live in the UK like myself, copies of the Electoral Register are available online, and also from Public Libraries and Local Councils. You can also check the National Census Survey figures online, so if you know the address, or at least the approximate area where the person you are trying to trace lives, these are also good places to start. There are also obviously local telephone directories, and Yellow Pages to help you in your quest, as well as the FriendsReunited website that links together old friends from schooldays who have lost touch with each other.

All in all, the Internet is the best way to find anyone nowadays, but always be very careful. If you can find people, the chances are they can find you equally easily too. Are you prepared for that?

Learn more about this author, Rose Conrad.
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