This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lawler, Bartlett, Hunt, Trow, Sumner, Conant, Gilman, Wilson, Hartman(n) Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zU.2ADE/360 Message Board Post: Dear fellow researchers I’m an avid genealogist just like you are. I have just figured out a way to get records that you can do from home that actually will get you somewhere. In my every day professional work I use the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) to acquire records from all areas. While you cannot just send in a generic "find this" request, using the proper request the proper forms and properly worded legal letter you will result in the getting documentation you are seeking. You have to send some starting info for them to search for, but I received 84 pages the first time and two weeks later received an additional 124 pages of documentation. These records went back to 1838. I will spell this out exactly to anyone who wishes direction and send you the form, the request letter, what you need to send them in terms of specifics, if you have them, or if not, where and how to find them. This is what the Freedom of Information Act is for! But you have to kno! w how and where to use it. And the records have to exist. The FOIA is available for use in any state for any public record. It does not, not replace the hands-on researcher, but for those of us who have been unable to physically get to an out of town location or to contact or afford an active researcher it's great. After finally locating the probable location of these records, I called the Court and was told that I had to come in person to search/copy the records on microfiche. The only other method was to hire a local researcher. Considering I was out of state, either way was going to cost me at least $500.00 given the amount of records, whether I came into town and stayed in a hotel or hired a researcher for several hours work. After looking for 3 years for the probate records on my very prominent Great-grandfather, and Great grand uncle who died at age 26 and 21, respectively, in a tragic boat explosion in Ohio, I was able in two weeks, using FOIA, to locate and have in my hands over 200 pages of records about my Great-grandfather, his entire office contents down to the list of law books and furniture he owned, the guardianship papers for all of my grand uncles and aunts, I have a (long) list of people that owed him money for mortgages he held and how much, when they were due - it was like a treasure chest. I know how much he paid for a loaf of bread, how much of an allowance the Estate had my ggrandmother on for the next 5 years! I had information on their entire family, his household, his businesses, business accounts, burial information, household finances, even some information about my Great-grandmother=s remarriage and subsequent death and burial and a Grand-aunt=s husband who witnes! sed the estate papers. Again, these records did exist and I told them where to look. I am preparing a "package" of about 20+ pages to send to those who are interested. My email is genealogyprincess2002@yahoo.com. The response has been huge , it's going to take me a few days, possibly until the next week or so. My original plan was email, but I am sending more documentation that I thought originally and am now planning on a snailmail thing. I=ll send you details via email very shortly. I will be glad to help anyone with any additional information or reformatting the forms for other states, other data requests, etc. and will send a paper for that. This is just taking me a LOT of time! In light of that, I am asking for a $5.00 fee for my time and research, paper, copies. I just figured out this Paypal thing a couple people have asked me about and will send options via email to those who wish to use that. In the meantime, start searching for as many specifics as you can get. USGenweb is a great place to look for specifics. This is not "s! end me the death certificate of...." This is, for example, "I searched the probate database for (county) and found that my ggrandfather's estate is in your records. It is between the years XXXX and XXXX." Then there is more legal lingo, etc. etc.. Again, FOIA is available to anyone. I am only offering a concise guide, the proper forms, etc. for those who are unfamiliar and hesitant to wade into the legal/governmental arena with no prior experience. Anyway, I am sorry this post is so long. Also, please advise anyone else you think may be interested in this information in other lists. Thanks! Kathy Lawler p:s: Or, if it would be easier, just send $5 to 20757 Camden Sq., #210, Lathrup Village, MI 48076 with a #10, self addressed stamped envelope ($1.08 postage) (it will be thick when returned) and I’ll send the information the day I receive the envelope).