I think your observations are correct; ie, they do not always understand the question. I am not so certain that it is just a lack of knowledge and training. Whether it be the Czech Archives in Prague or the smallest jurisdiction in the USA, you get different answers from different folks. A "negative result" does NOT mean an answer does not exist. This is the most frustrating part about family history research. Basically one cannot take "No" for an answer without constantly checking various sources. Some are incompetent, some are stupid, some are politicaly motivated, some are lazy, and others are just plain liars. Whether it be a government agency, a relative, or a volunteer someplace, one always has to be skeptical about what they DO NOT find. As I am finding out the hard way, FHC films are a good way of locating facts, especially in the US. Having a good FHC resource nearby and persons who know how to use that resource is about as good as it gets. Ron Mlejnek > > From: "Joan" <thimbels@srt.com> > Date: 2004/05/10 Mon AM 08:49:03 CDT > To: CZECH-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [CZ] Naturalization Laws - Chronological Order > > After having requested several dates from NARA, I find that the personnel > there are remiss in their interpretation of one's request. Their numerics > and alphabet are minimal in attempts to answer one's question. I hesitate > to waste time asking for names or dates and it seems that no one there > oversees the final answer. I'm beginning to wonder if the personnel are > not kindergarten trainees. > Joan Peterson > > Subject: Re: [CZ] Naturalization Laws - Chronological Order > > > > seen at NARA, the most I might find is an index card of the > > proceeding in court that day, perhaps the person's name and > > the name of the witnesses, a country, but not a village. > > > > > > > > > > > ==== CZECH Mailing List ==== > The mailing list is configured to reply only to the list. If you are making a personal reply to a poster, it will be necessary to delete the list address and add the individual's address. > >