Finding lost Sisters

[Senusret I]

We just had a workshop on this at the APO national convention.

Assuming you have the initiation information for the members, you could always ask the women you HAVE found if they happen to know where Sister So-and-So is now.

Example. You track down Sister Jane Doe and know she's from the Fall 81 pledge class. You can't find Sister Sarah Smith from the same pledge class. So.... ask Jane Doe! Jane may be able to give you some clues like her husband's name, last known hometown, etc.

There are also those free internet phone books (and of course I have forgotten the names of them, but zabasearch may be one). Take a weekend and call people you THINK may be your sisters based on the research you did. (Your sorority database, yearbooks, school alumni database, asking pledge sisters, then using zabasearch)

It could be a lot of work, and you might get some people who either are the wrong person or don't want to be contacted. Just be sure to identify yourself FIRST and state up front that you're updating your records and would like to send a newsletter or something.

Good luck!

[Blue Skies]

I'm going to echo what Senusret I said about Zabasearch.

http://www.zabasearch.com/

I also like Yahoo's People Search.

http://people.yahoo.com/

[33girl]

Try going through your school's alumni office instead of your national HQ. Many people keep their address current through their alma mater even if they don't thru their GLO.

[ask_bm001]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Try going through your school's alumni office instead of your national HQ. Many people keep their address current through their alma mater even if they don't thru their GLO.

Are the alumni offices willing to give out that information? That idea has gone by me before, but I wasn't sure how easy it would be to obtain through those means.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by ask_bm001

Are the alumni offices willing to give out that information? That idea has gone by me before, but I wasn't sure how easy it would be to obtain through those means.

It depends on the school. I went to Georgetown and although they are grateful when you give THEM info, they never provide anything in reverse. Their prime directive is to be the only university entity providing info to the alums.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ask_bm001

Are the alumni offices willing to give out that information? That idea has gone by me before, but I wasn't sure how easy it would be to obtain through those means.

I did this for a reunion (held near campus) and the only thing we were asked to do was let one of the guys from the Alumni Office come & speak at the dinner for 10 minutes. Honestly, it all depends on the person you talk to. Some schools are finally starting to realize that even if they aren't big on Greeks, many alums remember their Greek experience the most fondly and if they reconnect with their brothers and sisters, it'll give them a good feeling about the school (and make them more likely donors) as well.

[ask_bm001]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I did this for a reunion (held near campus) and the only thing we were asked to do was let one of the guys from the Alumni Office come & speak at the dinner for 10 minutes. Honestly, it all depends on the person you talk to. Some schools are finally starting to realize that even if they aren't big on Greeks, many alums remember their Greek experience the most fondly and if they reconnect with their brothers and sisters, it'll give them a good feeling about the school (and make them more likely donors) as well.

That might actually work out really well, if they'll go for it. It will be our 20th anniversary this spring, and most of the ladies I am looking for are from the founding school

[ask_bm001]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

We just had a workshop on this at the APO national convention.

Assuming you have the initiation information for the members, you could always ask the women you HAVE found if they happen to know where Sister So-and-So is now.

Example. You track down Sister Jane Doe and know she's from the Fall 81 pledge class. You can't find Sister Sarah Smith from the same pledge class. So.... ask Jane Doe! Jane may be able to give you some clues like her husband's name, last known hometown, etc.

There are also those free internet phone books (and of course I have forgotten the names of them, but zabasearch may be one). Take a weekend and call people you THINK may be your sisters based on the research you did. (Your sorority database, yearbooks, school alumni database, asking pledge sisters, then using zabasearch)

It could be a lot of work, and you might get some people who either are the wrong person or don't want to be contacted. Just be sure to identify yourself FIRST and state up front that you're updating your records and would like to send a newsletter or something.

Good luck!

I have done some of that, though not as much as I would like yet. But it is on my list of things to try!

Gonna try last known addresses and phone numbers first, then move on to asking people from the same or nearby classes. (Some whole classes are on the list, we're small)


Thanks everyone for the great advice