I don't know if the National Archives will have any info on the Merchant Marines, but i figured it was worth a shot. Faith http://www.nara.gov/

A lady raised the question on how to locate information on the Merhant Marines. I promptly stated I could locate some sources on the internet and direct her to them. Small mouth, big foot. Have spent two hours looking and have found nothing. Her father served during WWII, South Pacific theater. What resources are available I can forward to her? Thank you. -- Clint Email: [email protected] 3425 Kegley Meadows Court NE Olympia, WA 98506-2996 Ph/Fax (360) 438-6691 Crocker, Blaylock, Fetterley, Strong Bateman, Iler, Sargeant, Trinterud

Hi: I have 2 questions, first I a few weeks ago someone posted a searchable web site for vital records for New Zealand, can someone send me that address? Also, I tried to go to the archives for the rootsweb lists and I think I did something wrong, could someone please help me, with how to make it work? Any help would be appreciated, thanks so much. Take Care, Kathleen

My mother died in 1996 and she is listed on the SSDI. No one received a final death benefit but she was receiving a social security check monthly prior to her death. The funeral home was kind enough to notify SSA of her death for us. (We, the family, a couple of weeks later, confirmed that SSA got the correct information -- and discontinued her monthly checks.) Donna SoCal

unsubscribe -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, April 22, 1999 10:49 AM Subject: GenTips-D Digest V99 #127

My mother died in 1996 and she is on the list but no one received a death benefit. We were told that because she received SS as part of my father's benefits, there could not be a death benefit. Patsy

Also I am told that the list contains only those on whom a death benefit was paid. For instance my first wife who died in 1859 does not appear as there was no claim for the death benefit. Will someone correct me if I am in error. George in Tulsa

IM trying to find my father and sister. I haven't had much luck. Purchased a software family tree program but that did not give me any help either. I know both are alive and in fact have an SS # for sister. Can anyone help me? I, AM @ [email protected]

I have not had much luck in locating my sister or my father. I am relatively new to searching for lost relatives. Can you give me any ideas? I appreciate any help you can give me. thanks Rick @ [email protected]

This is an excerpt from an article in Ancestry: Social Security Death Master File: A Much Misunderstood Index Common Misconceptions Most importantly, close to 98% of the entire index contains individuals who died after 1962 (when the SSA began keeping the database on computer). Genealogically speaking, family documents, reminiscences, oral interviews, and other close-at-hand material usually provides much more information than the average entry in the Master Death File, especially for those individuals who have passed away in the last generation. It is important that the index be analyzed with a view towards its actual research value. Its major benefit at present may lie in its ability to serve as a steppingstone to further research or as a verification of other sources. Though it is certainly true that the index can be of immense value for those who are for some reason unfamiliar with their parents or grandparents, the majority of researchers do not find themselves in this situation. Employees working for a subsidiary of a U.S. company abroad or self-employed farmers became eligible for Social Security in 1955. Materially participating farmers (those who owned the land and took at least a managerial role in the farming) became eligible in 1956. Self-employed lawyers, dentists, medical professionals (except medical doctors), and other professional groups received coverage in 1956. It was not until 1965 that medical doctors began receiving coverage. In a class by themselves, long-term railroad employees earn retirement under the Railroad Retirement Board, though they as a group also have Social Security cards. Originally granted special numbers in an exclusive range, those applying after June 1963 received numbers according to where they lived when they applied. About 430,000 of these pre-1963 railroad employees are presently included in the Master Death File. What the Social Security Master Death File Can Tell You: The original database from the SSA contains fields for the following information: Social Security number, last name, first name, date of death, date of birth, the zip code of last residence, zip code of lump sum payment [if any], and in some cases a special state or country residence code (especially valuable if the individual is residing outside the U.S.). The government allows for twelve letters in the last name and nine characters in the first name, with any additional characters simply left off. Death dates in the vast majority of cases before 1988 contained month and year only. The zip code of last residence may not be the actual place of death, especially if an individual died in an out-of-town hospital, on vacation, etc. Why You May Not Find Your Ancestors: If you are unsuccessful in a Social Security Death Master File search, run through the following checklist for some possible reasons why you did not find a particular individual: The individual did not have a Social Security card. Especially before 1951, it is entirely possible that your ancestor did not have a Social Security number at all. The self-employed, farmers, military, government employees, some professional groups (doctors, lawyers), did not receive coverage until the 1950s and 60s. Certain members of the family may have never had the need to enroll in Social Security (retired individuals, housewives, etc.). The individual had a Social Security card, but his/her death was not reported to the SSA. The Death Master File only contains those deaths reported to the SSA. The individual is in the file, but listed under another name or another spelling. Try other spellings of the individual's name, including middle names, nicknames, initials, maiden names, other married surnames, etc. The individual is in the file, but original data was reported or recorded incorrectly. Edith <<I have searched the index for many names that were not there. I knew them to be dead, with ss#s, and no one collecting any benefits from them. It was my understanding from what I had read about this index, that any death benefit issued for a social security number holder would be included on the list. I would be curious to know why so many are missing from this index. Does anyone know if it would do any good to notify the SSA about these omissions? This is a valuable genealogical research tool. It would be nice if it were complete.>>

unsubscribe -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 2:21 AM Subject: GenTips-D Digest V99 #124

This is how I create a new directory. Someone else may have an easier way. Open Explorer (This is assuming that you are using Windows 95 or higher) Select where the new directory needs to be (drive:C or an existing directory which would make the new directory a subdirectory of that one) From the File Menu, click on New. This gives a menu of selections. Since this is to be a new directory or "folder", select Folder. This "New Folder" will be placed in the right side of the boxes with the name New Folder in blue. Type the name you want the new folder (directory) to have. Hit enter and you have a new directory that will display on the left under the new name. (If this is a subdirectory of an existing directory, of course you already know that you will have to click on the "+" to the left of the directory name to see it displayed.) As for the gedcom, I'm not sure if I understand what you are wanting to do. If you are wanting to add the information from a .ged file to your existing genealogy program, I only know how to do this with FamilyTreeMaker, and I do it as follows: Open the .ged file with the program which will assign it the extension for FTM. If it is to have the same name as the .ged file just hit enter when the new name and extension shows in the save menu. You can then open it as a FTM file. It can now be added to an existing file with the append/merge command. However, to protect your existing file, you might want to make a new file to merge all the data from both files into. I don't know if this will help you at all. I am not familiar with PAF programs. But any genealogy program should be able to open .ged files and also to create a .ged file from an existing family file. Happy hunting. -----Original Message----- From: by way of Tracey Converse <[email protected]> <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, April 20, 1999 1:52 AM Subject: Re:Gedcoms >Pamela, > >Could you (or someone) please explain two things you mentioned in your >message: > >1. How do you create a new directory? > >2. How do you add a gedcom to your database? I use PAF. > >Thanks much, >Billie >

I have searched the index for many names that were not there. I knew them to be dead, with ss#s, and no one collecting any benefits from them. It was my understanding from what I had read about this index, that any death benefit issued for a social security number holder would be included on the list. I would be curious to know why so many are missing from this index. Does anyone know if it would do any good to notify the SSA about these omissions? This is a valuable genealogical research tool. It would be nice if it were complete.

I don't knopw why my request keeps repeating. Several people have answered my request regarding gedcoms and for thaat I am very grateful. People in genealogy are always so generous with their time and information. Thank you all! Billie

In a message dated 04/20/1999 2:21:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: >>>>Could you (or someone) please explain two things you mentioned in your message: 1. How do you create a new directory? 2. How do you add a gedcom to your database? I use PAF. >>>>>> Billie, If and when you get an answer to your two questions, will you please post to the list or copy to me personally? I also have been looking for instructions on creating a new directory especially and adding a gedcom info would be great to have also. Thanks so much. Donna SoCal

Pamela, Could you (or someone) please explain two things you mentioned in your message: 1. How do you create a new directory? 2. How do you add a gedcom to your database? I use PAF. Thanks much, Billie

Barbara: If your aunt is receiving your uncle's benefits, this could be the reason he is not showing up in the index. My father is also missing from the index and I assumed it was because my sister is receiving his benefits. However, my grandmother who died more recently, is there because her benefits ended at her death. I hope this helps you. Loretta B.

I'm sorry, Mary Ann, I just can't resist. Maybe, (U)nemployed (G)randmother. Now, after my moment of idiocy, I share your interest in the abbreviation. I have never seen or heard of it before. Good luck! Elaine Elaine T. Maddox Volunteer of Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness at http://www.rootsweb.com/~tnraogk/index.htm Surnames: S.L.E.P.I.C.K.A. and H.R.U.S.K.A. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Tuesday, April 13, 1999 7:50 PM Subject: Re: GenTips-D Digest V99 #112 |Found my ggrandmother on the 1900 census, at age of 73 years, her occupation |is listed as U.G. (0-2-0). Anyone out there know what this means? | Thanks, Mary Ann at [email protected] |

Does anyone know how to find out about persons buried in the National Cemetary in Winchester, Va.? Betty

Do you have any info on the ancestors of my father William david Stevens born May 23,1889 in Accord, NY died May 14 1963 Poughkeepsie, NY