42 - Wednesday, April 22, 1992 - North Shore News Help’s a hand HELP’S AT Hand, by North Shore Community Services (NSCS), is a forum for discussing government policies and pro- grams, benefits, consumer and legal rights, taxation and public services. Answers are intended only as a general guide and should not be applied to individual cases without further consultation. Question: About 30 years ago ! was separated from two of my siblings. Our parents died and there was a very serious family conflict over the estate. We settled what we had to and never spoke again. I have since married, had chiidren and moved (to another province. [ assume that they have also had many changes in their lives. I've always wondered about them, and would Nke to take steps to find them to, perhaps, heal the old wounds. Can you teli me how I might start looking? Answer: Taking steps to locate people we have lost contact with after many years can be scary. It is common to have fears about the reunion and to wonder what good or bad things you will find out. In a case such as yours where the separation was due to a con- flict, it can be particularly threatening. You may be asking yourself if your siblings are as willing as you are 10 reconcile. There are companies that will conduct searches for a fee, but many people do not realize that two well-known organizations of- fer a free tracing service. The Canadian Red Cross Trac- ing Service and the Salvation Ar- my Family Tracing Bureau have both been reuniting family members since [870 and 1981, respectively. The services offered by each organization are similar. Each re- quire that the person requesting the search, known as the inquirer, be an immediate family member. Searches will not be conducted for friends. An application form must be completed in both cases to deter- mine if the case falls within their guidelines. Generally speaking, they will Not get involved in adoption or divorce cases, or in tracing people who have skipped town because of debts, genealogical searches, juve- nile searches and other cases under police jurisdiction. Both are able to do local and international searches in the coun- tries where they have operations. The majority of international cases are generated by people whose family has been affected by war, revolution, and natural disasters, while local searches are for various reasons not unlike your situation. The date of birth of your sibl- ings can be vital to a successful search. Also, their last known ad- dresses and occupations will be helpful. If your siblings are located, their wishes will be protected under the Privacy Act. No infor- mation about their situation or whereabouts will be divulged to you. the inquirer, without their permission. Searches can take anywhere from six weeks 10 two years and 2 percentage of cases are unsuc- cessful. To contact the Red Cross Trac- ing Service call 434-4200 and the Salvation Army Tracing Bureau at 876-6030. This column is prepared with financial assistance from the Notary Foundation, For more in- formation call NSCS at 9835-7138. SD RRO GR AIC HC SERRA I Sears reg ; 639.99 NMORE BUILT-IN, NOW "GIFT-WISE *120 OFF 24” dishwasher has Black Soft Touch™ control panel, 34evel wash action coverage and Power. mp® water filtration system. 226 571 340. NO PAYMENTS OR CREDIT CHARGES UNTIL SEPT. 1992 ON APPROVED CREDIT Some restrictions apply. Ask for details. And remember, at Sears there's no down payment ‘No payments’ offer available through Sears on approved credit. Offer applies to any single Retail and Catalogue stores and any current item of $200 or more in our Furniture, Major Sears Catalogue until Sat., May 2, 1992. Appliances, Home Electronics, Floor Fashion and Or where Sears 1s open, Sun., May 3, 1992. Custom Window Coverings Deperiments. Complete details in store THIS OFFER DOES NOT INCLUDE LIQUIDATION ITEMS AT CLEARANCE CENTRES SALE PRICE ENDS SUNDAY, MAY 3, 1992 UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED. WHILE QUANTITIES LAST SEARS your money's worth...and more NORTH VANCOUVER, Capilano Mall, open daily 9:30-5:30, Thurs. and Fri. till 9, Sun. noon to 5 p.m., phone 985-7722 Sears Canada inc Satstaction guaranteed o: money refunded “Rag™ and "Was" reter to Sears Canada Inc prices There’s a Sears store near you ... shop today at: Burnaby 433-3211, Richmond 278-5542; Surrey 588-0813, Monday, Tuesday and Saturday 930 am to 536 pm Wednesday Thursday and Friday uth 900 pm Shop Sunday from 12 noon to 500 pm Cagilano Mall 985-7722, Snop Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday 9.30 am to 530 pm Thursday and Fuday tit 900 p.m. shop Sunday from 12 noor, to 5 G0 pm