Leslie Massey
If you are trying to find a missing relative in Australia, there are a number of organisations that can help. The Australian Federal Police’s Missing Persons Centre and the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre both provide support and advice to families of missing relatives. The Australian Red Cross also provides a free service to help trace relatives missing through wars, conflict, migration, and natural disasters. If your relative was in a children's home, orphanage, or foster care in Australia between the 1920s and 1989, the Find & Connect service may be able to help. Link-Up services are also available to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been affected by past government policies that resulted in family separation. You can also try searching for your relative on social media, such as Facebook, or employ a professional genealogist to undertake family history research on your behalf.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Organisations to help find missing relatives | Australian Red Cross, Australian Federal Police’s Missing Persons Centre, National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, Link-Up, Find & Connect, Oz Reunion |
| Organisations to help in specific situations | Australian Red Cross helps with tracing relatives missing through wars, internal conflict, migration and/or natural disasters; Link-Up assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people separated from their families under past Australian government policies; Find & Connect helps people who were in children's homes, orphanages and foster care in Australia from the 1920s to 1989 |
| Online tools | Facebook, Find My Family: Restoring Family Links (Red Cross and Red Crescent search tool), genealogy websites |
| Offline tools | National and state libraries and archives, professional genealogists, electoral roll |
| Precautions | Be cautious when seeking assistance online, do not share personal information such as address, phone number or birthday |
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What You'll Learn
Use social media and online tools
Social media and online tools can be powerful resources for locating a missing relative in Australia. Here are some strategies to consider:
Social Networking Sites:
Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram can be useful in your search. Try different variations of the person's name, including first and last name, first and middle name, nicknames, and even initials. Facebook groups exist specifically for reconnecting people, but remember that Facebook is a public space, so exercise caution when sharing personal information.
Online Tools and Directories:
Several online tools and directories are designed to help locate missing individuals. The White Pages, for instance, is a freely searchable online telephone directory. You can cross-reference information found here with data from electoral rolls. Oz Reunion is another website where, for a fee, you can submit a post with details about the relative you're trying to find.
Genealogy and Family Tree Websites:
Websites that combine genealogy with social networking can be valuable. These sites allow you to build your family tree online and discover shared ancestors with other members. Some sites, like Findagrave.com, can help you locate burial sites of relatives, which can lead to other valuable information.
People Search Websites:
Consider using people search websites like Pipl, Zabasearch, and YoName. These sites scour social networking platforms, blogs, and other online sources to find potential matches for the person you're looking for.
Online Photo Galleries:
The Australian Red Cross, as part of the Restoring Family Links network, offers an online photo gallery where you can search for missing relatives who have migrated towards Europe or Southern Africa and lost contact.
Online Databases and Records:
The National Library of Australia provides access to historical electoral rolls and other research materials. Additionally, the National Archives of Australia holds immigration records from the 20th century, which can be useful if your relative immigrated to Australia. Each Australian state also has its own Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages, which can provide confirmation of a death.
While using these online tools, remember to protect your privacy and be cautious about sharing personal information. The Australian Cyber Security Centre provides valuable resources on staying safe online.
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Seek help from the Australian Red Cross
If you are looking to reconnect with a missing relative in Australia, the Australian Red Cross may be able to help. The Australian Red Cross provides a free service called Restoring Family Links, which helps to trace and find missing loved ones who have been separated from their families due to war, disaster, migration, or other situations of humanitarian need.
To begin a search, you can contact your local Red Cross chapter, which acts as a critical link to the global Red Cross Red Crescent network. You can also call the free national helpline or use the International Reconnecting Families Inquiry Form. The Red Cross may ask questions about your relative and where you think they might be to assess if they can help you. They will also fill in a tracing and consent form with you and can provide an interpreter if needed.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent teams work globally to help reconnect families separated by international crises. They can help locate missing relatives who have migrated towards Europe or Southern Africa and lost contact through their online photo gallery. If you are a refugee, they may also be able to help you reunite with your family in the UK.
It is important to remember that contact with long-lost relatives can be sensitive, and it is often best to make contact in writing or by email instead of a phone call or surprise visit.
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Contact the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre
If you are looking for a missing relative in Australia, you can contact the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC). The NMPCC is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and was established in 2006. It is funded by the Federal Government.
The NMPCC's main role is to coordinate a national approach in response to missing persons in Australia. It supports the investigative role of state and territory police services, who are responsible for investigating individual missing persons cases. The NMPCC also manages the Australian Missing Persons website and public register, and is active on social media, helping to raise awareness of missing persons and the efforts to find them.
The NMPCC works to reduce the number of people who go missing in Australia and the impact this has. It also commissions national research to identify trends and issues around missing persons. The NMPCC represents Australia and the missing persons sector nationally and internationally, shaping policy and community outcomes for missing persons.
If you have any information about a missing person case, you can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit crimestoppers.com.au. You can provide information anonymously and do not have to identify yourself. You can also follow the NMPCC on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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Consult national and state libraries and archives
If you are looking for a missing relative in Australia, national and state libraries and archives can be a great source of information. Here are some tips to help you navigate these resources effectively:
National Libraries and Archives
The National Library of Australia (NLA) is a valuable resource for those seeking to reconnect with missing family members. The NLA provides access to various collections, including the National Archives of Australia and the Public Record Office of Victoria. The National Archives of Australia holds over 39 million items, including records on immigration, military service, naturalisation, and shipping. These records can be accessed through their reading rooms located in major cities such as Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.
State Libraries and Archives
State libraries and archives, such as the State Library of Victoria, also hold extensive collections specialising in family history and state-specific resources. For example, the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) holds records created by Victorian Government departments, including passenger lists, wills and probate documents, indigenous records, coronial inquests, and police records.
Online Resources
Many national and state libraries and archives have online resources and guides to assist with family history research. The FamilySearch website, for instance, provides access to various guides and books, such as "Indexes in Australian Libraries" and "Relations in Records: A Guide to Family History Sources in the Australian Archives."
Directory of Archives
The Directory of Archives in Australia is another useful resource. It provides information about institutions, organisations, and individuals that hold records, including national and state archival agencies, universities, schools, businesses, religious organisations, and historical societies. This directory includes contact details and information about the types of records held by each institution.
Professional Genealogists
If you need further assistance, consider employing a professional genealogist. The Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA) can connect you with researchers who can undertake family history research on your behalf and help locate your ancestors in various records.
Remember that when you find the person you are seeking, contact with long-lost relatives can be sensitive. It is recommended to approach them carefully, preferably in writing, rather than with a sudden visit or phone call.
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Hire a professional genealogist
If you're looking to find a missing relative in Australia, hiring a professional genealogist can be a great option. They can help you navigate the complexities of family history research and access records that might not be available to the general public.
When hiring a genealogist, consider the specific skills and expertise you need for your search. For example, some genealogists may specialise in Australian immigration records, which can be particularly useful given Australia's history as a country of immigrant origins. European migration to Australia began in the late 18th century, and it was at this point that record-keeping of genealogical value started. A professional genealogist will be able to navigate these records and take your Australian genealogy back as far as possible. They can also help identify your immigrant ancestor's country of origin.
You can find professional genealogists through organisations like the Australasian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents (AAGRA), which coordinates a list of researchers for hire. Websites like Legacy Tree also offer the services of professional genealogists, who can access records onsite in Australia and internationally, including at the world's largest repository of genealogical records at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
When engaging the services of a professional genealogist, be sure to discuss your specific needs and expectations. Ask about their research process, the types of records they will consult, and whether they will provide a written report with their findings. It's also important to be clear on the costs involved upfront, so you know what to expect.
Hiring a professional genealogist can save you time and provide valuable expertise in your search for a missing relative in Australia. They can help uncover information that might otherwise be difficult to access and guide you through the potential complexities of genealogical research.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a number of organisations and online sources that can help you find a missing relative in Australia. The Australian Red Cross provides a free tracing service to help find relatives missing through wars, internal conflict, migration and/or natural disasters. Link-Up is another service that assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been affected by government policies that have resulted in the separation of families.
Oz Reunion is a website that, for a fee, allows you to submit a post with details of the relative you are looking for. You can also try searching for your relative on social media such as Facebook, either directly or through a local community page if you know the area they live in.
You can try searching for their name in the electoral roll, which is a list of the names and addresses of everyone who is eligible and enrolled to vote in Australia. You can also employ a professional genealogist to undertake family history research on your behalf.
