Is there a way to find my family members?

[Heather Wooldridge]

Here is the situation. My biological father went to prison when I was 2 years old, and I don't have any way of finding out who is family members are. I would like to talk to them or maybe get to know them but I don't know their names or anything. I know my father's name and birth date and I know he has sisters and brothers but other than that I don't know anything. I was wondering if there are any websites that might be able to tell me who he is related to that are free. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[lovestolaugh]

Go to: https://familysearch.org/

The site is absolutely free, and you may be able to find information on your father there, Depending on his age, he may be listed on a census form (available are those from 1910, 1920, 1930, and 1940). If he is deceased, he would probably be on the Social Security Death List. All you need to get started is his name, birthdate and place of birth or residence.

[marci knows best]

Order a copy of his birth certificate. This will give your his parent's names. Then look for the names on the various social media such as FaceBook and Twitter.

CyndisList has many good links and suggestions for locating living people
http://www.cyndislist.com/finding-people

[wendy c]

"when I was 2 yrs old" is very vague for us to help you. That may have been in the 1940s or the 1980s.
For research purposes...the census is closed for 72 yrs. Based on what you say, I assume you are not looking for persons who are OVER age 72, so that will not be of help to you.
In a GENERAL SENSE...living persons are entitled to privacy. You cannot access things such as their birth certificates.
My personal approach is if his parents are likely to be dead..find them in the social security death index. With dates and location of death, then zoom in on the newspaper in their area..and see if you can find their obit. Normally, it may include names and locations of children. You also can simply google dad's name, to see IF he was included in an obit (not all obits will be online). Look also for entries at findagrave.com. Depending on how common his name is..you can work with facebook searches. I've turned up lots of livng persons via that.
You have not mentioned if your mother is alive. I realize it may be a difficult topic, but she normally may have a name or locality. If not her, then how about your aunts/uncles on her side?
Last option.. you probably are entitled to write him (IF YOU FEEL SAFE WITH THAT). I am sorry for whatever reason he wound up as he did...but it would be nice for YOU to know who your relatives are. Be aware...if you find and meet them, it is possible that you might not want to continue with contact...but you won't know that until you try.
If you want..my email is open..and you can send a private message. I'll try and help if I can. But, don't rely on internet to get the initial names.

[Nettle Soup]

No people who are alive have prvicy rights and I know of no website or anything else that will give you this information