Who Has Done A Geneaology Search?

[grinningghost]

I'm in the beginning stages of my "Great Geneaology Odyssey".

I've already hit the often-mentioned "brick wall".

DF's father's birth certificate can't be found in Buffalo City Hall (when there's virtually no doubt he was born in Buffalo). What's the next best document to locate?

Anyone? This is fun, but very crazy.

 

[lisajl]

Oh geez...I wish I could help you. We started our searches years ago and I still don't know where my grandfather came from. He died in the 40's and I never knew him.

I went to a genealogical library not far from where they lived. My DD and I searched the newspapers and found some info there. Not everything I wanted, but still some info.

Have you thought of those places? It is so time consuming, but man, when you find another puzzle piece...it's priceless!!

Good luck on the search.

Lisa

 

[BlkBearSuz]

I've done a lot of genealogy research, on both sides of my family. Birth certificates can be found at the city of birth and at the state. You might be able to find a birth certificate at the town the mother resided in at the time of the birth, if this is different from where the birth occured. Also, do you know if this person was baptized at birth? If so, the church would keep records of all baptisms that occurred there.
Another way to get birth information, although not always nearly as accurate, are marriage records and death records. Also obits can lead to come birth information as well.
If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to ask. I have a lot of resources and usually know where to look for things. Also, the message boards at www.ancestry.com are a great research tool as well.
Good luck and have fun! It's very addicting.
Sue

 

[UncleScrooge338]

Have you tried searching at http://www.familysearch.org/ ?

 

[perdidobay]

When I hit a brick wall with my husbands great grandfather, I requested a photocopy of his Social security application from the SS. It had his date and place of birth, names and place of birth of his parents, and address at the time of application. There is a small cost, but it helped alot.

 

[pumba]

because or time issues this summer. Hubby and I would go for a road trip for the day. We found his great grandfather and mothers graves and great great grandfathers and mothers graves......and great great grandfather....we found other members of his family from way back. To when they came here to Maine after being given land from the government for being in the Revolutionary war ......this info was on the grave stones .........It was a very interesting journey for him and for me to be able to see these......Like a journey into history ......two of hubbies relatives were involved with the taking of the cannons and hiding them ......and also the boston tea party. We knew that his family were instigators......ROFL.......my husband had alot of sites that he goes to ......see if you can go to the state house and see their records......I am sure that there is plenty of info there too....GOOD LUCK

 

[grinningghost]

When I hit a brick wall with my husbands great grandfather, I requested a photocopy of his Social security application from the SS. It had his date and place of birth, names and place of birth of his parents, and address at the time of application. There is a small cost, but it helped alot.

I just spent a little time reading up on some of the websites suggested and I think this is my next step. It costs $27, but I think it might be worth it. I've also written a letter to the church parish he belonged to - perhaps they have baptismal records for him. We shall see...

This is VERY addicting guys. Your success stories have inspired me to continue.

 

[perdidobay]

Yup, it is very addicting... the more you find out the more you want to know!
Have fun!

 

[Kimberly]

Parents had it done years ago. It's amazing who you find out who you are related to.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

When I hit a brick wall with my husbands great grandfather, I requested a photocopy of his Social security application from the SS. It had his date and place of birth, names and place of birth of his parents, and address at the time of application. There is a small cost, but it helped alot.

Is there anyway you can get a deceased person's Social Security number? I am trying to find out if my grandfather was in the Navy. But I don't know where to start the search, and I figure, if I had his SS number, it would be a start.

 

[perdidobay]

You have to request it, you fill out a form and you must be a relative to get the number, I think. Or maybe it was to get the photocopy. This link may help you
http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library/article.aspx?article=919

 

[piratesmate]

If any Social Security Death benefits were paid out you should be able to obtain an SSN from http://familysearch.org

 

[BlkBearSuz]

Rootsweb also has a Social Security Death Index search. It's free and they update the index fairly frequently. http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/