I worked for a company that this guy worked for. He found out I quilted. He asked to quilt the top because his mother had made it. And he wanted to keep it.

I got it finished.

In the meantime he got his third DUI. I heard he was serving time.

I got the quilt top in 1995 or 1996. I have no idea how to get in touch with him. And it's been 16 or 17 years. And I have money tied up in the supplies.

Would you go ahead and try to sell it to get your money back or just keep hanging on to it?

I would do my best to locate him or someone in his family. If he went to jail is 1996, he may be out by now.

I agree try to find him or family.

I would try to find him.

You should be able to find him if you know his name, what state/city he lived in - you know his past employer - maybe they have an address. Try looking his name up in "facebook" that is surprising what you can find out there. Good luck!

There is a registry of prisoners on the web. If he's still in, he would be there. If he's been released, it should show his first known address. If you're not sure how to find it, as a computer buddy. I found it on the web all by myself (but I'm pretty computer savvy.) If you know the prison he was in, that helps, but if not, just the state will do.

I think I really would make an honest attempt to get ahold of someone in the family. At this point, he may not care about the quilt, but perhaps he has a sibling or children that may care very much! Those are the people you're really doing this for, not really for him.

Try to find him.

Oh that's an unusual situation. I would hesitate to sell someone's mother's quilt.

You got the top 14 years ago? When did you quilt it?

Did you have a work order or a contract? Something that describes what you agreed to do and shows how much he agreed to pay you for your work?

Most people can be found now with the internet. I have found long lost friends and classmates. Good luck with your search.

I would definitely try to find him. The internet makes that much easier. Have you tried Googling his name for starters? Also, he might be on Facebook.

Try SPOKEO and put in the information that you know and you might find him that way,
good luck

Try to find him first. Google his name. You may be surprised. Send a letter to your state prison system and find out if/when/where he was released. He didn't serve this long for DUI unless someone died and he was convicted of manslaughter.

If all else fails, post an ad in the newspaper of his last known address. Say you are trying to locate him to return property that you are holding, and that failing contact within 30 days you will put the item up for sale. This should cover any legal issues. I AM NOT A LAWYER, but this works for a lot of other legal matters so I would think it would work here.

you had it that long?? weird. I doubt he can pay for it and had no idea it would take so many years to complete.
you can find him. just try. it's not that hard.

Try and find him and/or his family.

Another vote for finding him. Since it isn't his fault the quilt was not quilted when you WERE in contact with him it is your responsibility to try to find him.

Document your search. In the event you can't find him or his family and sell it you will need the documentation to prove you tried before selling it.

Agree with everyone.....Find him or the family. If necessary chalk the costs up to charity. It was his Mother's quilt.
I am not sure but I think you have to be family to write to prisoners. and maybe he did not have your info.

I'm also voting for trying to find him. Maybe having something that belonged to his mother would help him.. He very well coud be deceased.

If you are still in the same location, he could have found you had it been that important to him. After 16 years, he probably doesn't remember asking you to do that. You don't go to prison for 16 years for DUI unless you have other charges against you. Keep it or sell it. He still owes you for your service.

How much do you have invested? If you only did the quilting then it surely isnt a ton of $. If you cant find him, just put it away and maybe someday you will make contact. Youve been without the $ for many years and its doubtful that its made a major financial impact on you but sure would be nice to get it back. Its the sentimental value thats the focus. Someone in his family would love to have it. Keep being a detective!

You may have to be family to write to prisoners, I don't know, but you don't have to be family to look them up on line in prison. I've done it. Found the last known mailing address as well.

OK.. I read and reread.. on the back side of 15 years.. Go away from the light ! Leave it alone.. Stay away from the phone and door..

breath..

and by all means document your search including these postings. You need a paper trail. And make copies of any emails you send or inquiries you make by computer. His personal history does not sound good so you need paperwork to protect yourself in the event it should come crashing down in the future.

I may not have the popular opinion but I would donate it or sell, or whatever. First of all..that is way too long ago to start worrying about it now. If he wanted it back he would have found you after a year or two...after that I'm sure he is long gone. He could be out but a criminal or something.

As to the money spent on it. That is "spent" money. It is already gone so you have to let go. Once it is gone...it is gone. My BFF taught me this when we were discussing my "hoarding" of things that I think I could sell at a yard sale "someday". She said the money is gone...you can't get it back so move on.

Just get rid of it so you can quit worrying about it. Life is too short.

I'd try to find him or hang on to it just in case. He might figure it is long gone by now. It might be just the surprise he needs if you do locate him.