This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Lawler, Bartlett, Hunt, Trow, Sumner, Conant, Gilman, Wilson, Hartman(n) Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/xh.2ADE/1665 Message Board Post: Dear fellow researchers: First, this is NOT a scam or spam. I swear it isn*t. [Would I give you my home phone and address if it were??] So, in my research, I have figured out a way to request records from home that actually will get you somewhere! In my every day professional work I use the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) to acquire records from all areas. The FOIA is a tool that is available to all Americans. But you have to know where to send it, you have to have the right request form, a properly worded letter, you have to know what type of information they need to get you what you are looking for. You cannot just send in a generic "find this" request. But, using the proper request on the proper form with a properly worded legal letter you will get the documentation you are seeking if it exists. I received 84 pages in the first probate request and two weeks later received an additional 124 pages from the same request. All stuff they copied from microfiche. At ten cen! ts per page. Some of these records went back to 1838. I will send you the form, the request letter, what you need to send them in terms of specifics, if you have them, or if not, where and how to find them. I have compiled a list of every State*s statutes that you will need to format the request form for your particular State. I have included some specific searching directions and examples that may help you. Obtaining information and documentation is what the Freedom of Information Act is for! But you have to know how and where to use it. What specific State statute to request it under. And the records have to exist. The FOIA is available for use in any state for any public record. It does not, not replace the researcher, but for those of us who have been unable to physically get to an out of town location or to contact or afford an active researcher it's great. As a result of my request I have my gggrandfather's entire household inventory, his entire office contents down to! the list of law books and furniture he owned, the guardianship papers for all of my ggrand uncles and aunts, I have a (long) list of people that owed him money for mortgages he held, how much, when they were due, how much of an allowance the Estate had my gggrandmother on for the next 5 years! Again, this is just one tool. My email is [email protected] **Don*t use the email this posting was sent from. *** A couple people have refused to believe this is for real and tried to disconnect my emails. Over 1100 people (since November 2002!) strongly disagree with them! I will be glad to help anyone with any additional information or reformatting the forms for other states, other data requests, etc. and will send a request form for that or just email me your questions. No charge. I am requesting $7.00 fee for paper, postage and copying costs for this information package. I had no idea this would be responded to in such huge numbers (!!) and I can*t afford that much co! pying. Check, cash, money order, whatever is easiest for you. So, send it to Genealogy Princess, 20757 Camden Square, #210, Lathrup Village, MI 48076. I will send you the information (it*s 26+ pages) the very day I receive the envelope. My Paypal information is [email protected] (checking account). I will send the information to you the instant I receive your address in the notification. In the meantime, start searching for as many specifics as you can get. This is not "send me the death certificate of...." This is "I searched the probate database for (county) and found that my ggrandfather's estate is in your records. It is between the years XXXX and XXXX." Then there is more legal lingo, etc. etc.. Anyway, I am sorry this post is so long. Also, please advise anyone else you think may be interested in this information in other lists. Be assured that I am n-o-t making any database of addresses or anything, I promise not to ever, ever sell or give your name and ad! dress to anyone. This is strictly to get you information that will help you gather documents and information to further your search for your ancestors. Very lastly, I have a larger bunch of information in my "GENEALOGY - FREEDOM OF INFORMATION WORKS! on Ebay. Check that out! Thanks! Kathleen Lawler