Included below are organisations, internet sites and general information on tracing individuals.

Primary sources for finding people are the UK online telephone directories:

British Telecom White Pages

Yellow Pages

Thomson Directories

Infospace

The following site includes electoral roll and family search features:

www.192.com

This site for finding individuals’ e-mail addresses may also be useful:

LookupUK

This site may help you contact school friends from Britain with whom you have lost touch:

Friends Reunited

Those wishing to employ a professional researcher or detective agency in the United Kingdom should consult one of the following associations for advice and a listing of members.

Association of Genealogists and Record Agents
29 Badgers Close
Horsham
West Sussex RH12 5RU
Tel: +44 1403 263119

Institute of Professional Investigators
Suite 353
Glenfield Park Business Centre
Blakewater Road
Blackburn BB1 5QH
Tel: +44 1254 680072
Fax: +44 1254 59276
E-mail: admin@ipi.org.uk

Family Members

The following registered charities offer a tracing service in urgent cases for immediate family members only:

Salvation Army
Those living outside the United Kingdom should contact their local Salvation Army centres for assistance.

International Social Service of the UK
Cranmer House
Brixton Road
London SW9 6DZ
Tel: +44 20 7582 6082

The Department of Social Security can assist in tracing missing relatives only in the event of a family crisis such as a death or serious illness:

Letter Forwarding Service
Compensation Recovery Unit
Room MO135B
Durham House
Washington
Tyne and Wear
NE38 7SD
Tel: 191 225 2191/225 2629/225 2536
Fax: 191 225 2324
E-mail: CRU-Customer-Service@MS01.dss.gsi.gov.uk

Options for Those Visiting Britain

Current telephone directories and local electoral registers are held at most libraries, and can be looked at free of charge without prior appointment. Some electoral registers are also available at www.192.com. Telephone directories dating from the end of the nineteenth century to the recent past may be viewed at the address below. (At least a day's notice should be given for an appointment.)

British Telecom Archives
Third Floor
Holborn Telephone Exchange
268-270 High Holborn
London WC1V 7EE
Telephone: +44 20 7492 8792
Fax: +44 20 7242 1967
E-mail: archives@bt.com