# Locating a person

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locating-a-person/614219>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 28, 2012, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locating-a-person/614219 "2012-02-28T03:15:26Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locating-a-person/614219/21 "2012-03-07T00:14:43Z")

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> [@erinelso06](#):
>
> Well, we have sat down with his mom and asked her, and she said she doesnt remember anything else. I dont know if we should just give up, or if when we get the money maybe hire a PI? I dont know if a PI would be able to find anything out based on the little information we have anyway.

I wouldn’t throw money at this unless it’s really a matter of a health issue. I mean, the guy is essentially a random sperm donor.

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**Author:** ![Mgalindo13](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea5d25/32.png) [@Mgalindo13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mgalindo13)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locating-a-person/614219/22 "2012-03-07T02:40:31Z")

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As many other posters have responded you need to gather more information before he can be found. The first question that needs to be answered is if his mom really does have more information. Does she seem like she’s trying to be helpful, or no?

I would run through this list with her:

1. Does she remember where he worked? Or what he did for work?

2. Does she know the names of any relatives?

3. Did he serve in the military?

4. Was he ever incarcerated?

5. Where was he originally from?

\*If \*you truly think she has more info, but isn’t giving up the goods, you _may_ want to _consider_ telling her that you’ve found his father and that you are going to meet him next weekend. It might force her into telling you why she didn’t want her son to meet him or you may find out that she really doesn’t have anything more to go on. It’s a little sneaky, but it will get you the answer to the question.

The second route I would try is DNA testing, it’s a long shot, but if it works it would have a lot of hours of work in trying to track him down.

If you still have nothing… consider visiting the AA meetings in the area (I have no idea if you live close to there or not) and getting to know some of the old timers there. Guaranteed some of them have been there 25+ years, it’s _possible_ they \*might \*remember him if you had something distinct you can mention.

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**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2012, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/locating-a-person/614219/23 "2012-03-07T02:51:30Z")

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> [@Mgalindo13](#):
>
> If you still have nothing… consider visiting the AA meetings in the area (I have no idea if you live close to there or not) and getting to know some of the old timers there. Guaranteed some of them have been there 25+ years, it’s _possible_ they \*might \*remember him if you had something distinct you can mention.

I would recommend against this. Many of the attendees don’t appreciate “tourists”. Maybe you can post some fliers at meeting locations with your contact info, and let them make contact with you if they are willing.

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