This World Wide Web Site came into being on 3rd June 1998. "Mispers" is
the UK police abbreviation for a Missing Person
Through my work as a Coroner's Officer in the
United Kingdom, from which I retired in July 1999, I became very
aware that there are many thousands of missing persons throughout
the world. After dealing with just a few regional cases,
it was clear to me that there are many times more parents, sisters,
brothers, husbands, wives and children, who suffer for the loss
of their own beloved family members.
For these people, missing persons are more than
a police case number. Absence translates for them as a living
nightmare during weeks, months, and sometimes years of unresolved
grieving.
In conducting my own research, I learned that
there is no greater asset in the search for missing persons than
the consistent distribution of information through every available
means. However, I soon found that many of the web sites, which
provide some kind of assistance to those people searching for
missing relatives, charged a fee (sometimes very high) for their
services.
Not everyone can afford to pay for the search
for missing loved ones. It is an extremely emotional time in their
lives, a time when they themselves are very vulnerable. Some spend
all their life savings searching. Many have to give up at some
point, mostly because of the high costs involved. So, I thought
it would provide a real service to families and other organizations
to help spread the word by posting information on the internet
through Missing Persons Throughout the World, regarding
some of those people and not charging a fee for doing so.
To date, 49 people have been located as a direct result
of the posting of information that had been displayed on this site.
For that we must be thankful. The numbers of visitors to this web site
- - now in excess of 2,100,000 - - reflect the magnitude of both interest
and need. Please say a prayer for those who are still missing and for
their families who know the harsh realities of the words "missing person."
The information after verification, displayed
on this web site is supplied by family members, friends, police
agencies or other national/international search organizations.
I make every effort to collaborate with all individuals and groups
involved in the authentic search for missing persons.
On 7th May 1999 I started the "Lost Connections"
facility, after so many requests for news of other "lost" relatives,
those that had moved or emigrated, or school chums trying to catch
up with each other. This has proven to be very successful, both
in terms of those visiting the site, but more importantly in re-uniting
members of the same family. Many "re-connections" have been made,
so please do stop by "Lost Connections" and see if you can help
someone to re-connect with their friends or family. Maybe someone
is looking for you, or you might know someone who is being sought?
After a diagnosis of Prostate Cancer (at 48 years of
age) eleven years ago, with successful surgery and on-going treatment,
I found myself wanting to give more time to family, to the matters that
I care about, and living life given as the gift that it is. Among other
things, I do all the alterations and updating to Missing Persons
Throughout the World in my spare time. As it is for most us,
time can get scarce and is always precious.
Whilst I can still afford it, I will continue
to operate this service. If you value the service provided, any
effort you can make to distribute this information is appreciated,
not just by myself, but also the families of the missing person.
Your own powers of observation may be our greatest asset. Some
of the most memorable and successful locations of missing persons
have come through individuals who recognized the face of a new
neighbour or a youngster that they baby-sat!
Ken Richards