How to locate someone in UK without costs?

[52andblue]

I am trying to get in touch with an old friend.
I don't have much money to throw at it.
I think I can narrow it down to two counties.
Any suggestions?

Could ask in Facebook groups to those areas?
If they have their own business or been a director for a business then Companies House website.

LinkedIn. Facebook groups, companies house

The Facebook 'mums' pages seem to be really good for this kind of thing.

Just type the name and 192 into Google. This will show a county and possible age range (from information in the electoral role). If you think it may be them (easier if it's an unusual name) you then have to pay a small amount to find out the exact address.

Post in Facebook groups local to the area. "Looking for Joe Bloggs. Last known at ... Worked at ...", whatever information you have. If they're not active themselves, there will usually be a family member or neighbour that knows them.

Facebook search. Google search. Local newspaper online search. Try a local Facebook group if you can narrow it down to a village/town. Or if a childhood friend, see if your hometown FB group remembers them or you can find a third party. Any mutual friends you’re in contact with or you could search for? Any siblings you could search for?

Much will depend on how unusual their name is and if they’re the sort of person who is for example active in the community, has particular interests or likely to be listed on an employer website. Ptolemy St John who is a school governor, chair of the local residents association, scores goals in Sunday League football, works for a University which lists their staff and who publishes academic papers should be easy. Katie Smith who works as a supermarket cashier, doesn’t use social media and doesn’t do any form of organised activity is likely to be harder.

FB not an option. They are SM averse.
I tried 192. Initially it gave me a town, and the correct name of their spouse there too so that seemed promising. It invited me to click on 'advanced people search' for the full address (for a small fee I imagine) But 'advanced people search' said then said No & took me in a circle.

Have you googled the name and the twin? Of her and the husband?

Give us the name. We like a challenge!

Just for the sake of argument...

How do we know that you are not an abuser trying to track down someone who has escaped?

Sorry, totally agree with tyredo . It maybe be completely innocent, but then again it might not be.

I agree with @Tyredofallthis1 too. People usually come off SM and disappear for a reason. Even if it is innocent, if they wanted to be in touch with you, they would be. It seems a bit creepy to me.

@Tyredofallthis1

Just for the sake of argument...

How do we know that you are not an abuser trying to track down someone who has escaped?

Err, you don't? But speaking as a survivor of CSA, & later DV, & someone who used to work for WA, I can assure you I am not (but if you are thinking along those lines then I guess I would say that anyway!?)

I wouldn't dream of putting their name 'out there' I just wondered how to find them. It is an older person who won't be esp SM savvy I imagine. but most people use mobiles now so might not have landline.
So I just wondered how I could locate them as I was last in touch some years ago and they are not at that address now. I had wanted to lose contact with them at the time I guess so let the friendship slide, now I'd like to get back in touch. It's nothing dramatic, I'd just like to say Hello now so thought I'd send a letter (so if they'd rather not reply it's not too intrusive) but am not sure where to send it to.

I have found the name and the name of spouse in a village via 192.
But, when it invites me to do an advanced search it then says not found. Which I don't really understand.

Your local library may have an online Ancestry account.

Did you pay for the credits require for 192.com?

If not it won’t help you find her for free.

I don’t think it’s expensive. Only a few quid. And I don’t think it’s a dodgy site. or anything.

Did you try looking for him? Might be worth a pint if he’s more social media minded than her.

Even if they're not on SM their family, friends, neighbours probably are.

Out local page has had many a person tracked down for people from all over the world by them asking questions like 'does anyone remember mrs Smith who lived on main street in 1972 and had a dog called timmy?'

Is there a Facebook page connected to the school they went to, hobby, town they grew up in etc If so, could you post that that you would like to get in contact? They may not get in contact directly, but a friend of your friend may.

You can pay 192.com a small fee to access the info

I wouldn't dream of putting their name 'out there' I just wondered how to find them.

Names aren't exactly confidential information, neither are addresses.

If its an older person then try searching the phone book as they may not have opted out. www.thephonebook.bt.com/person/

@Tyredofallthis1

Just for the sake of argument...

How do we know that you are not an abuser trying to track down someone who has escaped?

That was my thought too. And even if the OP is perfectly legitimate, this thread could be very helpful for someone who actually is an abuser looking for ideas on how to proceed.

I can't imagine a really determined stalker would need MN?!
Just a currently very brain fogged middle aged woman who wants to contact her old female boss to apologise for not following some very good advice she gave me some years ago (which I have finally seen the wisdom of!).. She might not even remember, but I'd like to send her a card to say sorry I was so ungrateful when she took time and trouble with me. It's not something I want to make a big deal of / possibly embarrass her by tracking down her kids / friends over tho.
I really don't think I am either asking for or being a conduit for Stalker 101 but if people want to think that I can't stop them.