Does anyone know Tammy Smith from Durham(Catskills), New York? Knew her in 1980&

Question:This type of question-and-answer forum isn't really the best way to find Tammy. A message board where the posts stay up indefinitely would give you a better shot at finding her. Try these:
http://www.yourfamily.com/lost_family.ht...
http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.lost-f...

Also, if you REALLY want to do some searching, here's my full-blown HOW TO FIND SOMEBODY LIST:

If you can’t find someone via Google or Zabasearch.com, then try some of these:

NEWSPAPERS – either individual ones or NewsLibrary.com (you must pay for articles, though, unless your library has a subscription.) Human interest stories, births, marriages, accidents, marathon races, property transactions, etc. etc. can have a person's name and town.

OBITUARIES -- not the person’s, necessarily, although he/she may have passed away, but parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. You don't even need to know their names. Put the person’s name in as a keyword, not as the deceased. Often the living relatives are mentioned, along with their spouse and residence. ObitsArchive.com (costs money) or "American Obituaries and Death Notices" via a local library. (They're the same company, but have different names.)

BLOGS -- If someone is writing about this person or if they have their own blog, you may find them. Try http://blogsearch.google.com. Sometimes you can use just a surname and a town or workplace or interest, etc.

PROPERTY RECORDS at the county where they are most likely to be. Some counties allow searching by surname.

STATE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION DEPARTMENTS, if his/her profession is one that needs to be licensed (You would be surprised at how many do!)

STATE CORPORATION DATABASES, if he/she is likely to have his own business -- likewise, the Better Business Bureau.

US SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMISSION – All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through EDGAR. If the person is an executive, you might find them. See www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

COURTS in the county/state where he or she is most likely to be. I found someone because they had a traffic ticket listed! You would be surprised at how much is online.

VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS -- SOME counties allow you to search by name! Some you need more info such as SSN or birthdate.

STATE INCARCERATION RECORDS – Unfortunately, some folks do wind up in jail! Look up the state’s Department of Corrections. Most allow online searches now.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS -- Sometimes they will post member's names or newsletters online. Also try classmates.com or reunion.com.

I’ve concentrated on online searching, but there are other methods as well. Get the book “Locating Lost Family Members and Friends: Modern Genealogical Research Techniques for Locating the People of Your past and Present” By Kathleen W. Hinckley. She goes into this topic in depth.

I hope one of these works for you! Good luck in finding Tammy!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: This type of question-and-answer forum isn't really the best way to find Tammy. A message board where the posts stay up indefinitely would give you a better shot at finding her. Try these:
http://www.yourfamily.com/lost_family.ht...
http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.lost-f...

Also, if you REALLY want to do some searching, here's my full-blown HOW TO FIND SOMEBODY LIST:

If you can’t find someone via Google or Zabasearch.com, then try some of these:

NEWSPAPERS – either individual ones or NewsLibrary.com (you must pay for articles, though, unless your library has a subscription.) Human interest stories, births, marriages, accidents, marathon races, property transactions, etc. etc. can have a person's name and town.

OBITUARIES -- not the person’s, necessarily, although he/she may have passed away, but parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. You don't even need to know their names. Put the person’s name in as a keyword, not as the deceased. Often the living relatives are mentioned, along with their spouse and residence. ObitsArchive.com (costs money) or "American Obituaries and Death Notices" via a local library. (They're the same company, but have different names.)

BLOGS -- If someone is writing about this person or if they have their own blog, you may find them. Try http://blogsearch.google.com. Sometimes you can use just a surname and a town or workplace or interest, etc.

PROPERTY RECORDS at the county where they are most likely to be. Some counties allow searching by surname.

STATE PROFESSIONAL REGULATION DEPARTMENTS, if his/her profession is one that needs to be licensed (You would be surprised at how many do!)

STATE CORPORATION DATABASES, if he/she is likely to have his own business -- likewise, the Better Business Bureau.

US SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMISSION – All companies, foreign and domestic, are required to file registration statements, periodic reports, and other forms electronically through EDGAR. If the person is an executive, you might find them. See www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml

COURTS in the county/state where he or she is most likely to be. I found someone because they had a traffic ticket listed! You would be surprised at how much is online.

VOTER REGISTRATION RECORDS -- SOME counties allow you to search by name! Some you need more info such as SSN or birthdate.

STATE INCARCERATION RECORDS – Unfortunately, some folks do wind up in jail! Look up the state’s Department of Corrections. Most allow online searches now.

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS -- Sometimes they will post member's names or newsletters online. Also try classmates.com or reunion.com.

I’ve concentrated on online searching, but there are other methods as well. Get the book “Locating Lost Family Members and Friends: Modern Genealogical Research Techniques for Locating the People of Your past and Present” By Kathleen W. Hinckley. She goes into this topic in depth.

I hope one of these works for you! Good luck in finding Tammy!