This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: chatterchit Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.researchresources.brick-20-walls/188.4/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Have you ordered a copy of his birth certificate? Both parents should be listed on that. Iowa has birth records back to 1880. See this website re: information: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/Iowa.htm You could also try his marriage license. That might have his parents' names. Since his daughter was born in Iowa, it's likely that he was married in Iowa. According to beta.familysearch.org, his wife was Leona Gertrude Crowley. Another resource would be his Social Security application. I believe this is him in the Social Security Death Index BUT I'm not 100% sure: Name: AL Kelchen SSN: 484-42-9707 Last Residence: 52310 Monticello, Jones, Iowa, United States of America Born: 8 Sep 1888 Died: Apr 1970 State (Year) SSN issued: Iowa (1955) If this IS him or if you have his death date from another source, then you could also order his death certificate -- which should have his parents' names, too. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.