What would you do?

I was going to post this just after Christmas but decided to hold back for a while due to the sad news about Nom.

I have two friends (ex-work colleagues) who I have kept in touch with. They are both mid to late eighties. One, I last saw about five years ago and the other I have not seen for almost 30 years. Despite not seeing either of them for ages, I have kept in touch with them both at Christmas time by sending and receiving cards.

Last Christmas though, I didn't receive a card from either of them so I am thinking the worst. I would like to know if they are OK or not but not sure what to do. I don't have a phone number for either of them and it would feel a bit weird sending a letter basically trying to find out of they are alive or dead. One of them had his son living with him but again, it doesn't seem right to ask.

There are other possible reasons for not receiving cards from them, perhaps they got lost or they just decided not to send them anymore but it does seem a bit of a coincidence.

Anyone else had this problem before and what did you do?

Re: What would you do?

Difficult Longlegs.
I looked on Fakebook. I also looked at BMD for older friends. I found the death for two younger friends.
Look online at the voting register.
Do you need a link for that?

Re: What would you do?

If you know their addresses you could do a search on something like 192.com as I think it show death records, not sure if you have to pay though to access it, I think I might have more access to it at work, if I do I would not mind checking for you

Re: What would you do?

I would write to them, saying that it's a long time since you've heard from them, (not mentioning the lack of card), and are they all right?

If the worst has happened, then the next of kin etc. will see the letter and hopefully respond to you.

Also, put your address on the back of the envelope, so that if it doesn't get delivered to them, or their next of kin, (or if the house has been sold, etc.), it can be returned to sender, and that way you'll know something has happened.

Re: What would you do?

How kind of Colin, yes 192 is the place.
Some are free.

Re: What would you do?

Write a letter in the usual way with your address and hopefully you will get a reply. Hopefully all will be well.

Re: What would you do?

Some info is, the free one might show if they still live at that address

Re: What would you do?

Oh that's good to know, my elderly cousin in Wales didn't send me a card this year and the card I sent came back.
I hope you find out about your friends LD x

Re: What would you do?

True and you get five free goes a day.

Re: What would you do?

Longy, The same happened to me with a girl l was very friendly with at college. We lost touch but a few years ago l traced her and we kept in touch.
In 2017, l didn’t receive a Christmas card, so when l was writing my Christmas cards last year, l didn’t know what to do?
I googled her name and the first thing that came up was an obituary for her. I was so shocked as she was only my age.