Locating people who have moved

Anonymous-0 · Mar 26, 2014

About 12 years ago I bought my grandfather's farm truck back from a from a local farmer for $50. I never did get the title at the time I picked up the truck. (He was busy and I didn't feel like making him dig for it.)

He sold his farm a few years ago and supposedly moved to the western part of the state (PA). Does anyone know of a way to track people down? I've tried google searches, etc, but nothing comes up for the guy. All companies/agencies refuse to give out info on people.

I also inquired with my attorney on Involuntary Title Transfer. Probably would cost close to $1k, so doubling down my effort to find the guy.

Thanks for any advice.

Anonymous-0 · Mar 26, 2014

In Ky. you can get a salvage title, not sure that is possible now it has been a few years

IaGary · Mar 26, 2014

Might be easier and cheaper to get a replacement title.

Have you check that possibility with you local authorities?

Gary

Vito · Mar 26, 2014

Goggle his name.If he owns property it should show up as it is a matter of public record.

HTH

Vito

just another old geezer · Mar 26, 2014

Intelius.com. peoplefinder.com. whitepages.com.

mudcreek183 · Mar 26, 2014

try 411.com

glennster · Mar 26, 2014

also try zabasearch.com

jimg.allentown · Mar 26, 2014

In PA, you can apply to PennDot for a title as an abandoned vehicle. They require you to make an attempt to locate/contact the original owner, and if unsuccessful they will issue a title after a defined waiting period - at least as I understand it.
You can also do a search on the man's name. I have had success in identifying the current location/status of old long lost friends. They do charge for this service, but it is way less than the $1K of which you speak.

JMOR · Mar 26, 2014

(quoted from post at 07:48:55 03/26/14) About 12 years ago I bought my grandfather's farm truck back from a from a local farmer for $50. I never did get the title at the time I picked up the truck. (He was busy and I didn't feel like making him dig for it.)

He sold his farm a few years ago and supposedly moved to the western part of the state (PA). Does anyone know of a way to track people down? I've tried google searches, etc, but nothing comes up for the guy. All companies/agencies refuse to give out info on people.

I also inquired with my attorney on Involuntary Title Transfer. Probably would cost close to $1k, so doubling down my effort to find the guy.

Thanks for any advice.

f he owns property now, check with the tax office. Possibly tax office or property transfer on his sold farm might come up with something.

dr sportster · Mar 26, 2014

Sometimes it is eaier to get a replacement title. Tell motor vehicles [MVC in my state or DMV ], that it was your grandfathers truck and you want to apply for lost title . I did it for a bike from fla. because the owner had a guy sign the first title. After that mess it was just easier to apply for lost title than get an unwanted buyer signature off the old title [ he legally ruined that document]. It cost around 75 bucks. You can look into title services but they are not allowed in some states [mine being one]. What year is the truck ?

randallinMo · Mar 26, 2014

I"d apply for an abandoned title. You are going to go to all that work to find this guy, and he isn't going to have it (the title) anymore.

dr sportster · Mar 26, 2014

The problem with my advice is your grandfather would have to fill out and apply. Google title services . They will tell you if it is allowed in PA. You sell them the truck for a dollar they register in a non- title state in their name then transfer the bill of sale back to you so you have it for your states DMV. Cost used to be 101 dollars but it was some time ago [like the 90s] that it was allowed in NJ.

Goose · Mar 26, 2014

When I was in high school, I had a '34 Ford pickup. Just an old beater I parked when I joined the Marine Corps.

While I was in the Corps, a neighbor did some custom work for my dad, and when it came time to settle up the neighbor asked if he could have the pickup instead of cash payment. My dad gave it to him, but they never bothered with transferring the title.

30 years later, after my dad was deceased, the neighbor sold the pickup to someone else. It had sat the whole time. By then, who knew where the title might be. There were legal steps my mother had to take to get a duplicate title in her name, which she then transferred to the neighbor, who passed it along to his buyer.

It wasn't costly, just a bunch of hoops to jump through. FIRST thing I'd do would be to check with my County Clerk, or which ever county office handles the titles.

rustyacres sd · Mar 26, 2014

desknows.com

Bob · Mar 26, 2014

Have a friendly local law enforcement officer run the "VIN" for you, which SHOULD bring up info on the registered owner.

NOT saying this is legal or moral, but it"s been done before.

El Toro · Mar 26, 2014

As been mentioned use zabasearch and it's free. If he's still living this should locate him. Hal

James Williams · Mar 26, 2014

Google Las Vegas title co.and get a new title,I got several of them this way with no problem

jimmy

RayP(MI) · Mar 26, 2014

Your DMV deals with this on a daily basis - give them a call - they can walk you through this.

ss55 · Mar 26, 2014

Every state handles titles a little differently. Talk to your local DMV first and be patient. I went thru something similar shipping a car between Minnesota and California. It was fairly simple to get squared away. An in-state transfer should be even easier. The main thing to remember is you have to do things the way your state DMV wants it done. What they do in other states is makes no difference what-so-ever.

Do you still have a bill of sale?

El Toro · Mar 26, 2014

Do you have a name and the approximate age of the seller? Hal

Anonymous-0 · Mar 26, 2014

Thank you all for the pointers and advice. The experience here is second to none. I have a lot to follow up on.
I should have been more clear in my original post. A couple months ago I did speak with my local notary gal and she confirmed the title was transferred to the Owner but couldn't give me the actual name and address without paying the fee, which is fine since it would have been his local info anyway that I already know. This should really be a simple intrastate title transfer, but it's hard to do because you need the owner to sign off in presence of a notary.
Owner has likely lost the title in the move as well, so I'll probably need to pay $30 to have him send a replacement title request to the DMV, which of course must also be notarized.
As mentioned, lots of hoops which wouldn't be too tough if I could get in contact with the guy and he is willing to take the time to cooperate.
Quickest way may be to run the vin. I'm going to try everyone's links in the meantime.

jerrybigrig · Mar 26, 2014

If you apply for an abandoned title all you can do with it is junk it ...you can't register it and get plates.....

notjustair · Mar 26, 2014

2x4 restoration.

They made VW Beetles up until 2004 in Mexico (old style). There were many companies that would import one for a customer, buy a junk car with title, and cut out a 2x4 section that included the VIN. It was welded in the new car and legal because a certain portion of the titled car was retained.

Buy a junk pickup and transfer the frame or parts. Buy it in-state and you don't have to have it inspected (in KS).

I don't have the right title for my grain truck. The original owner ordered two identical in 1958. When it was sold at his farm sale the second owner wasn't careful enough and ended up with the title for the wrong truck. That was 25 years ago. I have owned it for years and only discovered this after owning it for a while. The other guy had no idea as it had never been checked.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 26, 2014

Go to a collection agency they can find anybody my wife used to work for one.

Bret4207 · Mar 27, 2014

(quoted from post at 15:46:55 03/26/14) If you apply for an abandoned title all you can do with it is junk it ...you can't register it and get plates.....

It depends on the state. My neighbor has gone through this several times with old cars and trucks from the 40's-60's. In our state at least, you can get a new title if you jump through the hoops.

Pete in MD · Mar 27, 2014

Some of his old friends or neighbors might know where he is. If he belonged to an organization like American Legion, VFW, etc. they might have a record of membership transfer.

Locating people who have moved

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