This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/IGB.2ACI/222.1 Message Board Post: Hi Jan, I live in the area. Just some history on that city. Eastpointe used to be East Detroit. About 10 years ago, they elected to change the name of the city. So if you are looking for history, keep that in mind. Birth certificates are available only if you have a copy of the death certificate to prove that the person is legally dead. You can order the death certificates online from the state of Michigan by going to the following web site: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-4645---,00.html You can also order the birth certificates but they need proof that the person has died, so be sure to include the date of death. I will be going to the library in the next couple of weeks and can check for you then. The death certificates should indicate the parents (if known by the informant). You can also search the Social Security Death Index and order a copy of their SS application which oftentimes will have the parents names. You can search this online with Ancestry.