Information on a Person: Your Guide for Finding Valuable Info
Cindy Ellis - July 25, 2023
When it comes to researching a person, many individuals may feel confused and like they don’t know where to start. This is normal, as the internet is a wide place and there are many different approaches you can utilize to find out the information you need.
Our guide helps you to understand the best methods for finding information on a person and answers frequently asked questions about this process.
Why Research a Person?
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to research someone. Whether you are conducting historical research on family, or you are trying to find someone that you lost contact with, you may be wondering how to gather information on a person.
Below, we provide common reasons to research a person:
- You want to find information about an ancestor or conduct genealogical research.
- You need to contact an old roommate, friend, or former partner.
- You want to regain contact with a long-lost friend or family member.
- You want to verify if someone you used to know has passed.
- You need to track down someone to ensure their safety.
- You want to know historical information about a person or locate their gravesite.
It’s important to note that this list isn’t comprehensive, and you may have many other reasons to research a person. As long as you aren’t using the information you find about someone to commit illegal activities or stalk and harass them, any reason that you have for conducting research is valid.
Steps to Take Before Starting Research
Before you start utilizing the methods below to find information on a person, you should be taking these initial steps to help focus and guide your research. Having a good idea of the information you are trying to find ahead of time will ensure that you don’t waste time on research methods that won’t give you the information you need.
The first step in finding information on a person is figuring out what kind of information you need about the person in question. For instance, do you need their full name? Are you looking for a gravesite? Maybe you are searching for their current mailing address or an up-to-date social media profile. Keep this information at the top of your list to help guide your research.
Second, you should review our suggested methods of research below and think about the best ways to start your search.
If you are looking for genealogical information, for example, you will want to start with historical or archived records that may be available through your local library. If you are looking for someone you lost contact with only a year or two ago, social media and internet searches are your best bet.
Don’t forget to write down the information you learn as you research, as these notes will be helpful to reference and direct you as you conduct further research on a person.
Best Methods for Finding Information on a Person
In today’s digital age, there are many methods for finding information on a person. We list some of the best methods for research about a person below so that you may easily get started finding the information you need.
Internet Searches
Internet searches are one of the best ways to find information about a person. This is especially if you are searching for items connected to a person’s name such as a website, employer information, or education and graduation information.
To get started with the internet search method, navigate to your favorite internet browser, such as Google Chrome, and type in the name of the person you are looking for. You may want to add key terms to properly direct your search after their name such as “employer,” “college,” or “social media.”
Run the search and then review the results that are shown to you. Keep in mind that the first page of results is typically the most accurate on any search browser. The further you move back in the search results the less accurate they will be to your search query.
Social Media
Social media is another great way to find more recent information about a person. Social media websites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even LinkedIn allow users to create profiles. These profiles contain as much or as little information as a person may want to include, such as birthdays, first and last names, known family members, and friends or romantic partners.
Websites like LinkedIn give information like current and previous employers and degrees or certifications earned. Websites like Instagram and Twitter provide insight into where a person frequently spends their time and the type of media or individuals they are interested in.
It’s important to note that when researching someone’s social media, some websites do show the individual you have viewed their profile. This may be a problem if you are trying to keep your research to yourself. Additionally, you may need a profile on some social media websites to properly access all of their search functions and view other users’ profiles.
Contact Friends and Family
Mutual friends and family members are a simple place to start if you are interested in more offline search methods. This search method works best when the person you are looking for information about is known within your friend and family circles, and the two of you have lost contact.
To start this search method, reach out to mutual friends and family and ask questions about the person’s location, employer, or educational status. These items can help further direct your search if you choose to take it online. Some friends or family members might even be able to provide you with a social media profile or phone number to contact.
Make sure you are aware that asking mutual friends and family members about a person will likely alert the person that you are looking for them. Be prepared for news of your search to reach them at some point. If you want to avoid this, utilize a different information-gathering method first.
Access Public Records
Accessing public records is a great way to find more pertinent information about a person such as their criminal record or background report.
You can find this information by accessing records offices in the jurisdiction where you believe the person you are searching for resides. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may be able to search in person or access an online portal where you can type in the person’s name and find relevant public records.
Keep in mind that most county records or public records offices do charge a fee for accessing their records or obtaining a copy of certain public records.
Utilize the USPS
Utilizing the USPS is a helpful option if you are searching for someone’s mailing address. You can use the “address service requested” option on a piece of mail to receive a forwarding address for an individual. You can then use that address to conduct more research or reach out to the person you are looking for.
To use this method, address a piece of mail to a person’s last-known address. Write “address service requested” on the envelope, and then mail it. The USPS will forward the mail to any forwarding address they have on file for that person and inform you of what the correct mailing address is.
Contact your local post office for more information about this method and detailed instructions on how to complete it.
Online People Search Tools
Online people search tools are a convenient way to gather information about a person in one place. People search tools utilize public records to complete a report about someone. Once you run the search, you will be able to access important information on a person such as their address, employer, education, known friends and family members, and criminal record.
Keep in mind that you may need to pay a nominal fee to access these kinds of reports.
Gravesite Locators
If the person you are searching for information on is deceased or you are conducting genealogical research, a gravesite locator such as Find a Grave is a good place to start.
You can input a person’s name, birth and death date, and location into this website and see a list of results that might match your query. From there, you can locate the grave’s location and conduct further research based on the geographical location of the grave.
Private Investigators
If you really need to find information about a person and don’t have time for online search methods, you have the option of hiring a private investigator. This will also work if online methods haven’t turned anything up.
A private investigator will help you track down important information on a person such as their address and place of employment, and they will relay this information to you.
Private investigators are especially helpful if you need to find information on a person so you can collect on a debt or serve court papers. You should keep in mind that they can be one of the most expensive ways of finding information on a person.
FAQs About Finding Information on a Person
Our answers to the following frequently asked questions about finding information on a person will help put any remaining worries about this process to rest.
Is It Legal to Find Information on a Person?
In general, it is legal to find information on a person. You can utilize public records, which are accessible by any member of the public, in addition to information that individuals put online themselves, to gather information about a person.
You only cross the line into legal trouble when you use the information found about a person to plan or commit crimes.
What Can I Use a People Search Tool For?
People search tools are used to easily gather information about a person from public records and other online sources without doing all the research yourself. You can use a people search tool to find all the information you might need about a person.
What if I Can’t Find Any Information About a Person?
If you are having trouble finding information about a person, you may need to consult a private investigator. The problem may be that the person doesn’t really have an online presence, or the name that you know them by is not their correct name. For an in-depth search when you really need to find someone, a private investigator is typically your best option.
Where Are Historical Records Kept?
If you are searching for information on a person in a more historical sense, don’t forget to access local historical societies and online archival resources such as the National Archives. All of these facilities contain historical records that might give you valuable information you need about a person.
Avoid Scams When Searching Online
As you start conducting research for information on a person online, make sure to avoid websites that look suspicious. Also avoid those that ask for your personal information and bank or credit card details, and those that have multiple paywalls before your search report.
Fees are not uncommon when accessing public records, but huge charges, sketchy-looking websites, and anything you need to download is typically part of a scam. These scams will steal your money and personal information.
Obtaining the Information You Need
Finding information on a person might seem difficult to most people at first, but the key to conducting this research easily is organizing your search.
Make sure you know ahead of time what information you are trying to find and think about which of the search methods on our list would be the best way to retrieve this information. Then, take your time utilizing our suggested search methods to easily locate the information you need about a person with as little stress as possible.
