Poke them with a stick!
But seriously, there are a lot of people search tools on the web. See the Related Link to get you started.
To find out if a family member is still alive, generally you ask other family members or do directory searches to see if you can find a means of contacting them directly.
Call him -_-
No, he is not alive.
There are many Internet companies on which you can run a search.
yes he is still alive.
Yes, he is.
No
Widow?
No
Phillis Wheatley's husband is dead
sure
His name is William C. Warren. I can not find out anything about him other than that he and Betty divorced in 1947. I can not even find out when he was born, but he would have to be in his late nineties if he is alive and he was in poor health from alcohol while they were married, so I would be amazed if he were alive.
Amelia's husband, George Putnam died in 1950
No, he died in 2004.