This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Any! :D Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/UW.2ADI/2172 Message Board Post: Hi, My name's Malynda and I live in the bay area of SF. I can go and get birth/death/marriage certificates for anyone. In California you need to be a relative to get a certified copy, but anyone can recieve an informational copy (the only difference is that it reads "Not for official use or proof of identity" on the top of the certificate to help people from identity theft). I can probably help get you the certificate on little information, SF is really good at doing searches with little information. Births/Deaths/Marriages have to have been after 1906 (the earthquake destroyed all info before then), so their death cert may be on file but their birth cert will not if they were born before 1906. The cost is $20 per cert. (since it costs me $12-14 per cert + the gas & parking charges are expensive) The info you can get on birth/death cert's is: mother & father's names & locations of birth, which can really open up many doors when you are stuck! :) Death cert's will provide the cause of death, place of death, last known address, and an informant's name (the person in charge of their estate shortly after their death). If you have any questions, email me anytime :). [email protected] Good luck with your search! -Mel