Finding a ’missing’ person

Just wondering if anyone would know how to go about finding someone who has vanished themselves out of your life.

About 14 years ago one of my cousins cut of all contact with our entire family. He'd had a rough relationship with his parents and brother for a really long time, moved to Sydney in about 1996, and got into some serious drug taking and stuff, culminating in an o/d and admission into a psych ward. He then seemed to get his life together, got a lovely girlfriend and moved to Melbourne. Then, about 6 months after that he just stopped all contact. His mum and dad tracked him down with help of the police, and phoned him, when he realised who it was he hung up, and that is the last anyone has heard from him.

I think about him all the time. We have a big group of cousins all of similar ages, and we were all really close growing up. I miss him.

Anyone know how I could go about trying to trace him? I don't have a lot of money to spend, so free or cheaper options would be great.

We think he may have changed his name. So that could be a bit of a road block.

I don't know much about tracing people once they've left NZ :(

That's really sad that you've lost contact like that and for no reason of your own. Also a bit worrying that he just 'disappeared' after getting his life back in order.
Good luck in finding him :)

LOL, Joscia I have tried Facebook, posting on Old Friends under lost and found at his old high school, tried googling his first name and his previous occupation, tried tracking down people he was friends with in Sydney.... Actually, just had an idea, think the Salvation Army has a family trace service - might contact them.

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Edited by HUNTD

google!

Can't look at them online. Poop!

Might get a cousin in Sydney from the other side of my family to see if she can look for me.

If you could get a hold of his birth cert (would be $26 tho), i'm pretty sure it would give his current name if changed? I think it says "name" and then "name at birth" or something. Does anyone know?

Yeah I think there is a list of name changes at the "deed poll" place.

Thanks for the awesome ideas everyone!

I will get the forms filled in and off today to the Sallies.

And does anyone know, would his New Zealand birth certificate show name changes made in Australia?

I think he'd have to change his name here where his birth was registered? Not sure but I wouldn't have thought you could just randomly change your name by deed poll in a country where you're not a citizen?