Issue 17.11
Drive in restaurants, text messaging, online bill pay; we can accomplish a lot of things instantly. Here is an example of genealogical instant gratification that was recently obtained by a person using http://forums.familysearch.org.
Q: 6:12 p.m. – My dad was born in Manhattan in 1924. He died in 1981. I have the “short form” of his birth certificate, which lists only his parents’ first names, the date he was born, the hospital and the certificate # that was filed… But I cannot begin to search on my dad’s side of the family without knowing his dad’s information! And I know NOTHING about him.
The NYC Dept. of Health is very tightfisted with this information. Short of something criminal, does ANYONE have any suggestions for me???
A: 6:43 p.m. – Do you have your father’s Social Security Packet? This might give information. Do you have a marriage record for you grandparents? Was there an obituary for your grandfather? Where did the 1930 Census say that he was born?
Have you looked at the records that are available on FamilySearch? The URL is https://www.familysearch.org/. Under browse by location click on All Record Collections. In the search window type in New York. If you do not find anything of value, check back often as this site will continue to grow.
If you would provide names and dates of who you do have we might be able to help you find more information.
Q2: 6:57 p.m. – Thanks for your reply! I have my dad’s and grandmother’s SS applications– the man is not mentioned on either. Are there more forms that I can request for SS than the half page application?
A: 7:43 p.m. – There is a 1925 State Census for that area. It would be tough looking as it is not indexed yet on over 30 rolls of film. But it might put your father and his parents together. You might like to look at this information. The URL is https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/New…unty,_New_York.
The conversation continues, someone needed help, someone with the knowledge answered. No cost, no expectation of reward. See for yourself at http://forums.familysearch.org.
For more information contact Shanna S. Jones at 435-628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.