If you were a free slave looking for a missing family member after the Civil War, there were several ways you might go about finding them:
1. Contact Freedmen's Bureau: The Freedmen's Bureau was established by the U.S. government to assist newly freed slaves in the aftermath of the Civil War. They helped reunite families that had been separated during slavery by creating records of marriages, births, and deaths. You could contact them to see if they have any information about your missing family member.
2. Search for them through newspapers: Many newspapers published advertisements for missing family members after the Civil War. You could search through local or regional newspapers to see if there are any ads that match the description of your missing family member.
3. Network with other freed slaves: Many freed slaves established communities after the Civil War. You could network with other freed slaves in your area or in the area where your family member was last seen to see if they have any information.
4. Look for them in census records: The U.S. government conducted censuses every ten years, which included information on individuals and families. You could search census records to see if your missing family member is listed.
5. Hire a private investigator: If you have the means, you could hire a private investigator to help locate your missing family member.