I have an item that I know who it belongs to, but I have no way of contacting her. I e-mailed two people who I thought might know, but they never got back to me. It's not an expensive item or anything of particular sentimental value (I don't think). How much more of an effort do I have make to get in contact with this girl? If I can't return the item can I throw it away, give it away, donate it, or do I have to save it forever?

Bump.

Nobody?

If you know to whom the item belongs, what is stopping you from finding a contact number or mailing it to their address? If she's currently hiking the Australian Outback, mail it to her parents/siblings/significant others.

[I lost my first paycheck from full-time work a few years ago on an erev shabbos. I didn't know about it until I switched trains and checked my pocket. I was afraid that the payroll people at work would kill (they're in a different state) when they found out. I tried calling the US payroll people and left a msg. A few minutes later I received a call from payroll asking if I lost my paycheck (yes, I did)- and gave me the name and phone number of the woman that found it (she had to do some research to get the phone number of my employer in the midwest). I promptly called the woman and she told me that she lived in Brooklyn, but her location in Bklyn wouldn't enable me to get back home before shabbos. She suggested that she'd mail it the next day to my home. I received it that Monday. I sent her a dozen roses and a thank you note.]

I agree, in today's society tere is a way of tracking and finding people with ease.
I don't see why you should give up when you can find the person.

I know who she is, but I don't know her name.

Try facebook- maybe she's somebody's friend?

I had this problem when I used to have bachurim stay with us over shabbos. I have a whole collection of white shirts, pants, jackets, socks, with no idea who they might belong to. I stashed them all in a bag in the basement in the unlikely event that anyone comes to look for them, but so far nobody has.

Then there was a woman who left her boots in our house. She called to ask about them and we couldn't find them, but later they did turn up after we had lost contact. I guess those should really be returned if I can track her down. (Unfortunately the person who linked that woman up with us is no longer in this world )

Tried it. Didn't work. She's not a frum Brooklyn girl so I won't be able to find her through Jewish Geography.

Call the people you emailed.

what's the item?

I don't have their phone numbers.

A brocade coin purse.

Ask your local orthodox rabbi what the halacha is?

Surely you know their names?

The people I already contacted are a dead end. I have to move forward from there.

What are you looking for, validation or advice?