| You have decided to search for that special | | | | Please excuse my writing to you out of the blue, but |
| someone. The person may be a family member, | | | | I am searching for my father ***. I am sending this |
| former friend, and colleague from the past or a | | | | letter to all the people with that name that I can |
| neighbour who moved away years ago. No matter | | | | locate. If you happen to be the *** I am looking for, |
| whom you are searching for, it is sure to be an | | | | please reply by using the self-addressed envelope |
| emotional experience for everyone when you locate | | | | enclosed. I am happy and well, but think of you |
| the person. When you find the person, a contact | | | | often. I hope we can correspond and perhaps meet |
| letter is the best way to make that initial connection. | | | | up at your convenience. I would love to learn more |
| Remember, although you may have been seeking | | | | about you and hear the latest news. |
| that certain special someone for months, they are | | | | If you are not the *** I am looking for, I am sorry |
| probably completely unaware of your search. The | | | | to disturb you, but I would greatly appreciate if you |
| long lost person may be anxious to even view your | | | | could return my letter in the envelope provided so |
| name, never mind hear your voice or see you in | | | | that I can strike you off my list. |
| person. In cases of adoption, the birth parent may be | | | | Thank you so much. I hope to hear from you soon. |
| remarried with additional children and require time to | | | | Yours sincerely, |
| personally adjust to the idea and discuss the situation | | | | Such a letter is an honest, non-threatening way of |
| with family members. When a feud has occurred, | | | | making the initial contact. The letter provides basic |
| there may be unresolved feelings of anger, sadness | | | | information about you and your intentions, which will |
| or guilt. Even in situations where you parted in a | | | | make the recipient, feel more comfortable. Further, if |
| friendly fashion with a former mate, the person | | | | the recipient is not the intended party, it serves as a |
| needs to grow accustomed to your desire to reunite. | | | | polite request to garner a response so you can take |
| Making a telephone call or turning up at someone's | | | | them off your list. |
| door could alarm the person and even puts them off. | | | | Sending such a letter can start a new adventure for |
| A letter informs the person you are looking for and | | | | you and the long lost person. Let go of any |
| allows them to get used to your possible presence. | | | | pre-existing fantasies and expectations, take your |
| The content of your letter should be light, | | | | time and keep it pleasant. Appearing needing and |
| considerate and upbeat. You may have more than | | | | trying to jump into a new relationship could sabotage |
| one address for the name of the person you are | | | | your chances of building a real rapport with that |
| searching for, so keep in mind that the letter might | | | | special someone. |
| be sent to several people. The letter and envelope | | | | An investigator and genealogist is trained in the |
| should be handwritten and the exterior of the | | | | techniques of locating missing people and organizing |
| envelope should be marked 'Personal' on the top left | | | | reunions. Employing a skilled professional as a |
| hand corner. Also include a self-addressed, stamped | | | | mediator saves time, energy and yields better results |
| envelope for a reply. Make a master list of the | | | | because they know where and how to look for |
| addresses you are sending the letter to and number | | | | someone. Additionally, they have developed essential |
| them. On the inside flap of the return envelope, | | | | people skills that make them sensitive enough to |
| lightly print each number so that you know who has | | | | effectively make initial contact with that long lost |
| replied. An example of a suitable letter is: | | | | person. Having trained mediator could ensure a |
| Dear ***, | | | | successful meeting with that special someone. |