If you are overseas, I would go to your local government agency or council and ask how you locate a resident. If you do not know which area he is in, you may wish to place a small ad in one of the larger papers – you may be lucky enough for him to reply.

One thing is though; do not shock him. He possibly may have a new family and life and it may be stressful just to walk in and say ‘hi dad, long time no see’ !!!

Be tactful, if you find out his whereabouts, maybe you could send him a letter or find out where he works so you don’t upset his family (if he has one) and drop the letter in there saying you would like contact.

He may need time to accept the fact you want further contact. He may not have told his current family about you (that’s again if he has one).

Do you have an office of births, deaths and marriages – you may be able to find out if 1. he is still alive 2. if he has remarried and 3. his last contact address.

The internet doesn’t always provide the correct answers in the way of white pages listings etc.

Hope this helps and I wish you luck.