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I always did the internet search thing first using phone listings and any information base that I can think of including a general Google search for a name. If the county recorders in your area have documents on the net, you can look at the property tax records.
The next best and fastest process is to generate a list to be handed out in Ward Council for the HP Group, EL quorums and RS that notes those who don't have addresses or phone numbers. All of these people should have home and or visiting teachers assigned, so it is the responsibility for the home and visiting teachers to find that out. If they don't have them assigned, then those presidencies should be spending their time finding such things out for you. The bishop, with those lists can make specific assignments and ask for a return and report. This is a major reason that ward councils exist. (See the new CHI on Ward Councils.) Personally, I would ask to be included in the ward councils that the lists are passed out and there when the return and report is scheduled. If you have Full-time missionaries assigned in your ward, they can also be of a great deal of help. It gives them some reasons to talk to a lot of people
However, in some smaller wards, where the priesthood is stretched very thin, clerks have a difficult time getting ward councils to be of much assistance. Such is not ideal and not according to the CHI, but is a reality, so in that case a clerk may choose to take it upon himself the make those contacts. However, I found it more productive to teach and train the ward council, even though it may take a bit, that to try to do it all myself.
With all the internet searches complete, if the only option is for you to do the contacts, then start doing them. Use the phone first and then do personal visits. You can also go the the county recorders office and look for records under their name. You can go to a local library and look at the Cole's directory if they have one in their reference section.
If they have moved recently, then you can use the return service requested feature from the post office. ( See the USPS site for specific instructions.) One idea is to send out your most recient ward newsletter via mail and see which ones come back and which don't. If they don't come back, then it is a good chance they are at the listed address or the people there know where they are at.
Eric
Clerk
Queen Creek Arizona Stake
----- Original Message -----
From: Jshawut<mailto:JshawUT at Yahoo.com>
To: ldsclerks at MormonsToday.com<mailto:ldsclerks at MormonsToday.com>
Cc: Jshawut<mailto:JshawUT at Yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 6:30 AM
Subject: LDSC: Phone and Address - Locating members
All,
As a newly more rigorous membership clerk I've been faithfully trying
to track down missing information and missing people on the records.
I have really been spinning my wheels and trying to find better/more
efficient ways for greater success. What are some of the resources
that you all use to help locate missing member information when it
unknown. Is there a set of steps you all go through to find the
issues of members:
With a phone number but no address
With an address and no phone number
With neither an address nor a phone number (before sending the record
back to CHQ as unknown)
I've had varied success, but as I looked out on the Wiki and the
archives of the list I couldn't find a well-defined list (with named
resources) that would provide a clerk with a punch-list of to-do's
before feeling good about sending the data on to CHQ. I intend to
compile a list and get it added to the Wiki as well.
-John
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