This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: LHSwisher Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.researchresources.brick-20-walls/182.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As dklart asked, what are you trying to find? You have a birth date and death date. It sounds as though you are expecting to enter his name in the search box and up pops everything about him. Sorry, that won't happen. 1) He was born in 1931, after the 1930 census. So he won't be on it, but his parents might, if they were married by then. So might an older sibling. 2) Remember that the majority of genealogical records are not online. You have to do it the old-fashioned way and write for it, or research in person. Of those records that are online, they're not all on Ancestry. Also, many states restrict the ability to view their vital records. If the birth record is not on Ancestry, that may be why. You might try FamilySearch Pilot Search to see if that site has any vital records for whatever state you're looking for. 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.