Hi All, You all have my sympathies !! :>)) However, there is some hope. I am the unofficial "Tracer of Lost Classmates" for a 50th high school reunion to be held later this year. Out of about 125 graduates, there were about 50 "missings", of which I was able to find all but 4 !! But, be prepared to find some deceased classmates, especially since you all are about 10 years older than my classmates. Our class was, however, blessed with one classmate who had kept up an almost annual newsletter -- although a lot of classmates rarely or never responded. The combination of a bunch of past newsletters gave me a lot of clues such as kids names, husband's name, past residences, etc. And we "lost" a lot of classmates through the new 911 addressing scheme, where everyone had to have a street address and number, rather than a route and box number. They might still be where they always lived -- just a new street address. It was a tedious process, but here are some suggestions: 1. Switchboard.com, Netscape People Finder, etc. These were big help, but you have to be willing to make a lot of phone calls and deal with wrong numbers. (See links below.) 2. Kid's names -- obviously the boys. Look for them on switchboard.com, et al. If you can find the kids, then they should know about their parents. 3. College alumni associations. I received a reply from all the ones I queried, sometimes, however, with no current information. But at least they responded. 4. Employers -- in your case, I suspect "previous" employers !! They might still have them on their rolls as retirees. Probably a long shot for you all. 5. Previous residences. Go to Netscape Reverse People Finder with the address, and get a name and phone number for that address -- provided it is listed. Give that person a call and maybe they will be the right person, or might just know where they went or what has happened to them. This worked for me a couple of times. Explain up front why you are looking for them (i.e., you're not a bill collector, etc.), and most folks will probably help you if they can. 6. Known cousins or living relatives of your classmates. Try to find them on Switchboard.com or elsewhere. 7. Social Security Death Index -- go to http://www.rootsweb.com/ (as well as other places) and look for the SSDI link. Search by name and make your best guess. The SSDI has approximate birth dates, location where SS card was issued, last residence where benefits were sent, etc. You might find a few classmates here -- but unfortunately very deceased. ;<(( But at least you know. 8. The "girls" are tough !! You almost have to have some idea of the husband's name, if of course they were married. A long shot is to have someone go to the Russell County Court House and see if they can find a marriage record for the girls. If they were married in Russell County, that would give you the husband's name -- at least at that time. That changes sometimes, too, as you know. 9. You seem to have full names in most cases -- probably from your annual or graduation program. That is a big help, as you know the initials. Not much help for the "girls" however, unless they're currently using their unmarried names -- which can happen, too. 10. Query classmates that you can locate about where "missing" classmates might have lived at one time, where they might have had a vacation home, husband's or wife's name (your classmate might be widowed at this time), etc., etc. One has no idea what clue, however seemingly insignificant, might lead to finding one of your "missings". 11. Another very long shot -- try searching on "google.com". I found a son of a classmate this way that let to his mother, my classmate. 12. Get a network of you known classmates together and swap ideas, clues, anything !! 13. Here are some of the websites that I used: http://www.switchboard.com/ http://www.classmates.com/ (Unlikely you'll find much on your class here, but you might be surprised. Maybe look for known kids here, too, then try to find them on switchboard.com.) http://www.netscape.com/netcenter/whitepages.html?cp=hom05l7 http://www.netscape.com/netcenter/whitereverse.html http://www.WhitePages.com Good luck !!. It's a VERY tedious process, you have to be willing to make a lot of phone calls, leave a lot of messages, and PERSEVERE !! Keep a record of those you have called and those from whom you received a negative response -- so you don't call them again. (I kept pretty good records, but still managed to call some folks more than once !!) Let me know how you make out. I found over 90% of our "missings", so there IS hope !! And remember, some folks might not want to be found !! John Hale Williamsburg, VA In a message dated 5/26/2005 10:02:53 PM Eastern Standard Time, rcsykes@chartertn.net writes: The 1945 Honaker High School Class needs help in finding classmates for their 60th class reunion. The reunion committee of the Honaker High School class of 1945 is seeking information on all class members: Sadly at least 15 of the classmates are deceased, but the reunion committee wishes to honor them and invite their spouses to the event, whose date will be in September. Anyone with information on any of these individuals is asked to contact Emory Howard Sykes, 568 Valley Drive, Blountville, TN 37617 or telephone at 423-323-7620 or emorysykes@chartertn.net or Lawrence Slate at 276-873-5012 or 276-873-6608. For years Juanita Vance Miller was the driving force and main source of information for the reunions held by Honaker High School's class of 1945. Unfortunately, Juanita passed away since the last reunion and others have been asked to stand in her place to organize the 60th reunion. All the records of addresses and phone numbers of classmates have fallen by the wayside and recovery is a long, tedious process. Any help will be appreciated.