In a message dated 10/24/2006 12:52:56 PM Central Daylight Time, jreck@ecenet.com writes: I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers This happened to me in the 60s. Someone had checks with the same name and a number one off from mine and then wrote checks that got bounced off my account. Since I had a somewhat unusual name because of the order and combination of my given names and a somewhat unusual Czech surname as soon as I found out what was going on I was looking at bank employee as far as I was concerned and just closed my account and opened one at the credit union for the company I worked for. Had no further problems. Annie in Minnesota

so you are saying they did not need access to the info at ancestry.com then to do this??? Of course, that is what you are saying . . . my point exactly!! Jeanine ----- Original Message ----- From: <Hcounter@aol.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 2:01 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft > > In a message dated 10/24/2006 12:52:56 PM Central Daylight Time, > jreck@ecenet.com writes: > > I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers > > > This happened to me in the 60s. Someone had checks with the same name > and a > number one off from mine and then wrote checks that got bounced off my > account. Since I had a somewhat unusual name because of the order and > combination > of my given names and a somewhat unusual Czech surname as soon as I found > out what was going on I was looking at bank employee as far as I was > concerned > and just closed my account and opened one at the credit union for the > company > I worked for. Had no further problems. > > Annie in Minnesota > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi, As of today, the Texas birth index at Ancestry is on line and intact, as are CA, KY, NC, VT,. Will be interesting to see if they remain so. Thanks to everyone who responded to the original question--the dialog is always helpful. Sandy ----- Original Message ----- From: Wanda Gonzalez<mailto:mygeneologytree@yahoo.com> To: minnesota@rootsweb.com<mailto:minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 8:53 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] MINNESOTA Digest, Vol 1, Issue 38 I know here in Texas (but yes, I am originally from Minnesota), anything that was public knowledge that was after a certain time has all been deleted. It is supposed to help lessen identity theft. Our voter registrations are online in my county, but several months ago, they deleted all the birthdates, regardless of when the person was born. For some time I was doing some headstone hunting. Now several of the cemetaries I did the hunting in won't give me any information to send to the families without actual written permission. The family has to send the request in before I can even ask for the plot location, and many will not accept an e-mail submission as e-mails can be made up and 'forwarded'. It is sad that so many of us who work with our family histories are having to go through all of this. I have heavily relied on much information found on the internet and saved the information until I could prove / disprove it to be in my family history. Wanda minnesota-request@rootsweb.com<mailto:minnesota-request@rootsweb.com> wrote: -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com<mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com> [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of SANDY FAIRCHILD Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 1:40 PM To: Minnesota Subject: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index Hello listers, Has anyone else noticed the deletion of all birth dates on the Minnesota Birth Index at Ancestry.com? This is the one that covers the period of 1935-2002. In checking, it appears as though Ancestry is deleting the birth dates from other databases as well, which represents a huge loss to the genealogy world.Am wondering if anyone has thoughts about why this is happening! Sandy --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com<mailto:MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Wonder how many counties would hire an extra staff person just to figure out who "has a right to know" information that is contained in all of their ledgers!! It is considered public information at this point, we should be able to access it, county employees should be able to photocopy and send to us . . . doesn't work that way already!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:16 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft/public records > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Karen Helfert" <khelfert1@comcast.net> > >> There is a BIG difference from NOT showing birthdates and mother's maiden >> name, etc >> online and still making it available in the local jurisdiction WHILE the >> person is still alive >> for people with a reason/right to know. > > Most Identity Theft is from the local area of the victim. A large > percentage are friends and family, caretakers..see below, indicates 19.5 > percent. Again, knowing someone's DOB, Mother's maiden, POB, is not > enough. > And, knowing genealogy information on ancestors is not enough. I CAN NOT > get a credit card in Great-grandfathers name when he died in the twenties. > > http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/03/ssntestimony.htm > http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/idtheft.htm > http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/idtheft/trends-update_2000.pdf > http://www.privacyrights.org/AR/id_theft.htm > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

All over the place, people have our information and we just believe we can trust them . . . all the employees at every hospital and medical clinic just as one example. In fact, in MN if you don't want your driver's license information SOLD by the state on mailing lists, you have to request that they not do this . . . for those who don't understand it, it is big business for some states!! And who knows what other companies are doing the same . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Wanda Gonzalez" <mygeneologytree@yahoo.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 9:53 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] MINNESOTA Digest, Vol 1, Issue 38 >I know here in Texas (but yes, I am originally from Minnesota), anything >that was public knowledge that was after a certain time has all been >deleted. It is supposed to help lessen identity theft. Our voter >registrations are online in my county, but several months ago, they deleted >all the birthdates, regardless of when the person was born. For some time I >was doing some headstone hunting. Now several of the cemetaries I did the >hunting in won't give me any information to send to the families without >actual written permission. The family has to send the request in before I >can even ask for the plot location, and many will not accept an e-mail >submission as e-mails can be made up and 'forwarded'. It is sad that so >many of us who work with our family histories are having to go through all >of this. I have heavily relied on much information found on the internet >and saved the information until I could prove / disprove it to be in my >family history. > > Wanda > > minnesota-request@rootsweb.com wrote: > -----Original Message----- > From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] > On Behalf Of SANDY FAIRCHILD > Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 1:40 PM > To: Minnesota > Subject: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > > Hello listers, > > Has anyone else noticed the deletion of all birth dates on the Minnesota > Birth Index at Ancestry.com? This is the one that covers the period of > 1935-2002. In checking, it appears as though Ancestry is deleting the > birth > dates from other databases as well, which represents a huge loss to the > genealogy world.Am wondering if anyone has thoughts about why this is > happening! > > Sandy > > --------------------------------- > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small > Business. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I have been reading through all the messages on identity theft, and finally decided to weigh in on the issue. I agree that removal of all birth dates can present a great hurdle to those of us who are on a constant quest for the dearly departed. I also agree that birth dates for the living should remain a private matter, however, once a person is deceased, it should be made public. The perpetrators of identity theft will stoop to using the information from a deceased person to ply their particular craft, but this cannot and should not affect the living. Birthdates are just one source of information to someone who specializes in identity theft, and adds to their arsenal of information on a particular individual. Someone bent on stealing a person's identity will also resort to improperly discarded mail, credit card statements, credit card offers, discarded bank statements, as well as information that many of us post to various internet sites. If we are concerned about protecting our identity, we should not provide birth dates to various web sites when we register; we should not provide social insurance or social security numbers readily; we should watch what information we provide to store clerks, etc. Identity theft is more than just birth dates - we play a large part in protecting our identity from thieves. As far as Ancestry.com's website changes, perhaps we should wait and see what is going to be offered. They may decide to post birth dates of those who have been deceased for a specified number of years, or not. We paid for certain information, but if that information is causing problems, lets ensure that our access to information for the departed remains unaffected. We should perhaps concentrate our efforts to let Ancestry.com know about our concerns, and at the same time applaud their efforts to protect the privacy of living individuals. Iris ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jeanine Reckinger" <jreck@ecenet.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:20 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft > so you are saying they did not need access to the info at ancestry.com > then > to do this??? Of course, that is what you are saying . . . my point > exactly!! Jeanine > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <Hcounter@aol.com> > To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 2:01 PM > Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft > > >> >> In a message dated 10/24/2006 12:52:56 PM Central Daylight Time, >> jreck@ecenet.com writes: >> >> I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers >> >> >> This happened to me in the 60s. Someone had checks with the same name >> and a >> number one off from mine and then wrote checks that got bounced off my >> account. Since I had a somewhat unusual name because of the order and >> combination >> of my given names and a somewhat unusual Czech surname as soon as I >> found >> out what was going on I was looking at bank employee as far as I was >> concerned >> and just closed my account and opened one at the credit union for the >> company >> I worked for. Had no further problems. >> >> Annie in Minnesota >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.11/494 - Release Date: > 10/24/2006 > >

Well . . . I can just see it now . . . all of the newspapers will also disappear from the historical museums all over the country . . . why? Because most births are listed in those newspapers . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Helfert" <khelfert1@comcast.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 9:35 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft/public records > You have some good points Ron, but I think you extrapolate a bit far with > regard to the closing of public records. There is a BIG difference from > NOT > showing birthdates and mother's maiden name, etc online and still making > it > available in the local jurisdiction WHILE the person is still alive for > people with a reason/right to know. > > I think a person is entitled some privacy....While I loved having access > to > all those birthdays and info, at the same time I did not like mine showing > up...hypocritical I realize. Anymore than when one signs up for a class > with our local Recreation Department, they print your age on the class > list....why? No good reason for adults....it is to be able to sort > children > into the right age teams. But I think it is stupid and an invasion of my > privacy....I will tell folks when I want them to know old I am....I don't > need the whole class at the Rec Dept to know. > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> > To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:37 AM > Subject: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft > > >>I held back... but, you can't get much information for identity theft from >> genealogy. You can find someone that indicates who they are and they >> will >> be back in the old country for a week, just add their address and you >> might >> have a burglary. >> >> Most identity theft are family and/or friends. I also could get more >> from >> your garbage or mail than you could ever get from genealogy. If I have >> your >> date of birth and address, that won't get me much. I still need to know >> where you bank or have financial documents. If I get your medical data, >> then I could possibly get some of your medical insurance to pay for my >> problems. I STILL need your Social Security Number for a lot of access. >> I >> still need your drivers license info. Yes, I can make a fraudulent >> license >> with your name, address and DOB, but... >> >> I was in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent for 31 years. If you >> want to protect yourself, get a computer firewall. Get a paper shredder >> and >> shred all documents that have your bank account or other financial >> information. Get a mail box that requires you to use a key to get it, or >> a >> USPS mail box. Do not advertise that you are going to Norway between >> June >> 14 and July 5. Someone could find out where you live and see just who >> might >> take care of your house and when they're gone. >> >> I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers. I >> saw >> more IRS employees accessing friends and family. These same IRS >> employees >> had your SSN, home address and bank account where you had your refund >> check >> sent. But, these one percent dishonest were being tracked. Your local >> grocery or other store, had your check...does it have your address and >> phone >> number and bank account number... Do you shred your papers or just put >> them >> in the garbage? For a "secret password question", do you use your >> mothers >> maiden name? If so, stop doing that...BUT, unless they know more about >> you, >> even that isn't enough. >> >> I could give you my date of birth and address...RIGHT NOW, just try to >> open >> a credit card account with that. Add my mothers maiden name...so what. >> You >> need my Social Security Number. You probably will need my phone number. >> So, you use a fictious address, but, I've put a lock on new accounts. >> >> No, an ancestors date of birth, or even a living persons date of birth is >> not enough. >> >> ON THE OTHER HAND. We now live in a free society. If we start >> withholding >> information for genealogy. Then let's withhold anyone from accessing >> genealogy records. If you're not a family member and can prove it, you >> can't access the information. You can not access the phone number or >> address of another. We will need to hold ALL personal information from >> the >> internet. Then, we will stop allowing people to access any public >> records >> at any local, state or federal level. We will not allow ANYONE to access >> ANY information on ANYONE. This starts an iron curtain (an old phrase >> for >> the Soviet Empire) on information. Soon, we will not be able to look at >> our >> neighbors property without fear of violating personal privacy laws. Who >> will watch this? EVERYONE will be watching EVERYONE. Fear causes fear, >> which causes fear. "What we have to fear is fear itself". >> >> Ron Bestrom >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

THANK YOU RON!!! I was not shouting with anger, I am shouting with glee, because finally someone tells "it" like it really is!!! I attempted to get an aunt's death certificate a year ago . . . unless I could prove the line of descendancy, I could not get it!!! I will say that I did find a person in that office who went out on a limb and told me the cemetery where she was buried, but I could not get her death certificate!!! I could not prove a line of descendancy without first getting her birth certificate to prove she was my father's sister . . . I decided to check with family and get a copy from them!!! Jeanine ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 12:37 AM Subject: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft >I held back... but, you can't get much information for identity theft from > genealogy. You can find someone that indicates who they are and they will > be back in the old country for a week, just add their address and you > might > have a burglary. > > Most identity theft are family and/or friends. I also could get more from > your garbage or mail than you could ever get from genealogy. If I have > your > date of birth and address, that won't get me much. I still need to know > where you bank or have financial documents. If I get your medical data, > then I could possibly get some of your medical insurance to pay for my > problems. I STILL need your Social Security Number for a lot of access. > I > still need your drivers license info. Yes, I can make a fraudulent > license > with your name, address and DOB, but... > > I was in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent for 31 years. If you > want to protect yourself, get a computer firewall. Get a paper shredder > and > shred all documents that have your bank account or other financial > information. Get a mail box that requires you to use a key to get it, or > a > USPS mail box. Do not advertise that you are going to Norway between June > 14 and July 5. Someone could find out where you live and see just who > might > take care of your house and when they're gone. > > I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers. I > saw > more IRS employees accessing friends and family. These same IRS employees > had your SSN, home address and bank account where you had your refund > check > sent. But, these one percent dishonest were being tracked. Your local > grocery or other store, had your check...does it have your address and > phone > number and bank account number... Do you shred your papers or just put > them > in the garbage? For a "secret password question", do you use your mothers > maiden name? If so, stop doing that...BUT, unless they know more about > you, > even that isn't enough. > > I could give you my date of birth and address...RIGHT NOW, just try to > open > a credit card account with that. Add my mothers maiden name...so what. > You > need my Social Security Number. You probably will need my phone number. > So, you use a fictious address, but, I've put a lock on new accounts. > > No, an ancestors date of birth, or even a living persons date of birth is > not enough. > > ON THE OTHER HAND. We now live in a free society. If we start withholding > information for genealogy. Then let's withhold anyone from accessing > genealogy records. If you're not a family member and can prove it, you > can't access the information. You can not access the phone number or > address of another. We will need to hold ALL personal information from > the > internet. Then, we will stop allowing people to access any public records > at any local, state or federal level. We will not allow ANYONE to access > ANY information on ANYONE. This starts an iron curtain (an old phrase for > the Soviet Empire) on information. Soon, we will not be able to look at > our > neighbors property without fear of violating personal privacy laws. Who > will watch this? EVERYONE will be watching EVERYONE. Fear causes fear, > which causes fear. "What we have to fear is fear itself". > > Ron Bestrom > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

Hi Meandering . . . Love your handle!! I HAVE hit the impossible however . . . and with all the records we can access in this world I cannot find my great grandfather, Lucius Root, and that isn't that far back in my ancestry!!! But, my question is still . . . is it for Homeland Security or is it for Ancestry to sell other smaller packages to complete the information we can access??? They say their programmers are busy on the problem and hope it isn't too frustrating for us!! Jeanine ----- Original Message ----- From: "webachel" <webachel@wolf.co.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:16 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > Jeanine: > > It isn't so much Ancestry's fault for changing the rules as for the > criminal > element in the country and the mis-appropriation of ones identity. > Identity > theft has turned into a number one problem for financial institutions and > even for us ... those researching the dead. It makes the task of tracking > our ancestors more difficult however, it's not impossible. > > Shelia B. > Meandering Minnesota Meadows > webachel@wolf.co.net > > > -----Original Message----- > From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] > On Behalf Of Jeanine Reckinger > Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:12 AM > To: minnesota@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > > back I the days of "snail mail" it was not unusual for me to go through > three 100-stamp rolls per month . . . I put them on return envelopes that > I > addressed or I added post cards with my phone number etc. I found info > that > > is and never will be on the net, little churches, little cemeteries . . . > many things . . . tracked things down by phone too . . . however, not to > have the dates of those over 100 years old is going to make it very tough > to > > do our tracing back that far . . . at best they weren't all listed, but > those that were at least ruled out certain places you didn't need to look > . > . . > > HOWEVER, my question is . . . is this connected to Homeland Security OR is > it connected to more small packages being put together by ancestry.com > that > people will have to purchase in order to get the "full blown" US > collection? > > If that is what is going on, then it does anger me . . . you purchase one > thing and you end up with something different!! When things like this > happen without explanation, it gives one pause to consider the REASON!! > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <Hcounter@aol.com> > To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 4:51 AM > Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > > >> >> In a message dated 10/22/2006 3:08:41 PM Central Daylight Time, >> jreck@ecenet.com writes: >> >> well you can't get information about births at any courthouse that I've >> contacted either, most of them will verify info if you have it all >> written >> and they go to the ledger, but some won't even do that much. >> >> And this is not just for MN, pick a name to type in on ancestry and look >> that birth column . . . just lists the state! >> >> >> >> So we are back to doing some research the hard way. Mail shots, etc. >> That >> is what I used when I first started this hobby 30+ years ago, and can do >> it >> again. It actually netted me many more "live" cousins that I have >> gotten > >> to >> know than just using info on the net has done. >> >> Annie in Minnesota >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the >> quotes in the subject and the body of the message >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Helfert" <khelfert1@comcast.net> > There is a BIG difference from NOT showing birthdates and mother's maiden > name, etc > online and still making it available in the local jurisdiction WHILE the > person is still alive > for people with a reason/right to know. Most Identity Theft is from the local area of the victim. A large percentage are friends and family, caretakers..see below, indicates 19.5 percent. Again, knowing someone's DOB, Mother's maiden, POB, is not enough. And, knowing genealogy information on ancestors is not enough. I CAN NOT get a credit card in Great-grandfathers name when he died in the twenties. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/03/ssntestimony.htm http://www.bos.frb.org/consumer/identity/idtheft.htm http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/workshops/idtheft/trends-update_2000.pdf http://www.privacyrights.org/AR/id_theft.htm

You have some good points Ron, but I think you extrapolate a bit far with regard to the closing of public records. There is a BIG difference from NOT showing birthdates and mother's maiden name, etc online and still making it available in the local jurisdiction WHILE the person is still alive for people with a reason/right to know. I think a person is entitled some privacy....While I loved having access to all those birthdays and info, at the same time I did not like mine showing up...hypocritical I realize. Anymore than when one signs up for a class with our local Recreation Department, they print your age on the class list....why? No good reason for adults....it is to be able to sort children into the right age teams. But I think it is stupid and an invasion of my privacy....I will tell folks when I want them to know old I am....I don't need the whole class at the Rec Dept to know. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ron Bestrom" <RBestrom@earthlink.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:37 AM Subject: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft >I held back... but, you can't get much information for identity theft from > genealogy. You can find someone that indicates who they are and they will > be back in the old country for a week, just add their address and you > might > have a burglary. > > Most identity theft are family and/or friends. I also could get more from > your garbage or mail than you could ever get from genealogy. If I have > your > date of birth and address, that won't get me much. I still need to know > where you bank or have financial documents. If I get your medical data, > then I could possibly get some of your medical insurance to pay for my > problems. I STILL need your Social Security Number for a lot of access. > I > still need your drivers license info. Yes, I can make a fraudulent > license > with your name, address and DOB, but... > > I was in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent for 31 years. If you > want to protect yourself, get a computer firewall. Get a paper shredder > and > shred all documents that have your bank account or other financial > information. Get a mail box that requires you to use a key to get it, or > a > USPS mail box. Do not advertise that you are going to Norway between June > 14 and July 5. Someone could find out where you live and see just who > might > take care of your house and when they're gone. > > I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers. I > saw > more IRS employees accessing friends and family. These same IRS employees > had your SSN, home address and bank account where you had your refund > check > sent. But, these one percent dishonest were being tracked. Your local > grocery or other store, had your check...does it have your address and > phone > number and bank account number... Do you shred your papers or just put > them > in the garbage? For a "secret password question", do you use your mothers > maiden name? If so, stop doing that...BUT, unless they know more about > you, > even that isn't enough. > > I could give you my date of birth and address...RIGHT NOW, just try to > open > a credit card account with that. Add my mothers maiden name...so what. > You > need my Social Security Number. You probably will need my phone number. > So, you use a fictious address, but, I've put a lock on new accounts. > > No, an ancestors date of birth, or even a living persons date of birth is > not enough. > > ON THE OTHER HAND. We now live in a free society. If we start withholding > information for genealogy. Then let's withhold anyone from accessing > genealogy records. If you're not a family member and can prove it, you > can't access the information. You can not access the phone number or > address of another. We will need to hold ALL personal information from > the > internet. Then, we will stop allowing people to access any public records > at any local, state or federal level. We will not allow ANYONE to access > ANY information on ANYONE. This starts an iron curtain (an old phrase for > the Soviet Empire) on information. Soon, we will not be able to look at > our > neighbors property without fear of violating personal privacy laws. Who > will watch this? EVERYONE will be watching EVERYONE. Fear causes fear, > which causes fear. "What we have to fear is fear itself". > > Ron Bestrom > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Ron Thanks for sharing this. Very helpful, very interesting, and very reassuring that my shredder and computer firewall were good purchases ;) Have a great day! Joan ----- Original Message ----- From: Ron Bestrom <RBestrom@earthlink.net> Date: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 1:17 am Subject: [MINNESOTA] Identity Theft To: minnesota@rootsweb.com > I held back... but, you can't get much information for identity > theft from > genealogy. You can find someone that indicates who they are and > they will > be back in the old country for a week, just add their address and > you might > have a burglary. > > Most identity theft are family and/or friends. I also could get > more from > your garbage or mail than you could ever get from genealogy. If I > have your > date of birth and address, that won't get me much. I still need > to know > where you bank or have financial documents. If I get your medical > data, > then I could possibly get some of your medical insurance to pay > for my > problems. I STILL need your Social Security Number for a lot of > access. I > still need your drivers license info. Yes, I can make a > fraudulent license > with your name, address and DOB, but... > > I was in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent for 31 years. > If you > want to protect yourself, get a computer firewall. Get a paper > shredder and > shred all documents that have your bank account or other financial > information. Get a mail box that requires you to use a key to get > it, or a > USPS mail box. Do not advertise that you are going to Norway > between June > 14 and July 5. Someone could find out where you live and see just > who might > take care of your house and when they're gone. > > I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common > strangers. I saw > more IRS employees accessing friends and family. These same IRS > employees > had your SSN, home address and bank account where you had your > refund check > sent. But, these one percent dishonest were being tracked. Your > local > grocery or other store, had your check...does it have your address > and phone > number and bank account number... Do you shred your papers or > just put them > in the garbage? For a "secret password question", do you use your > mothers > maiden name? If so, stop doing that...BUT, unless they know more > about you, > even that isn't enough. > > I could give you my date of birth and address...RIGHT NOW, just > try to open > a credit card account with that. Add my mothers maiden name...so > what. You > need my Social Security Number. You probably will need my phone > number. > So, you use a fictious address, but, I've put a lock on new accounts. > > No, an ancestors date of birth, or even a living persons date of > birth is > not enough. > > ON THE OTHER HAND. We now live in a free society. If we start > withholding > information for genealogy. Then let's withhold anyone from > accessing > genealogy records. If you're not a family member and can prove > it, you > can't access the information. You can not access the phone > number or > address of another. We will need to hold ALL personal information > from the > internet. Then, we will stop allowing people to access any public > records > at any local, state or federal level. We will not allow ANYONE to > access > ANY information on ANYONE. This starts an iron curtain (an old > phrase for > the Soviet Empire) on information. Soon, we will not be able to > look at our > neighbors property without fear of violating personal privacy > laws. Who > will watch this? EVERYONE will be watching EVERYONE. Fear causes > fear, > which causes fear. "What we have to fear is fear itself". > > Ron Bestrom > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA- > request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >

I know here in Texas (but yes, I am originally from Minnesota), anything that was public knowledge that was after a certain time has all been deleted. It is supposed to help lessen identity theft. Our voter registrations are online in my county, but several months ago, they deleted all the birthdates, regardless of when the person was born. For some time I was doing some headstone hunting. Now several of the cemetaries I did the hunting in won't give me any information to send to the families without actual written permission. The family has to send the request in before I can even ask for the plot location, and many will not accept an e-mail submission as e-mails can be made up and 'forwarded'. It is sad that so many of us who work with our family histories are having to go through all of this. I have heavily relied on much information found on the internet and saved the information until I could prove / disprove it to be in my family history. Wanda minnesota-request@rootsweb.com wrote: -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of SANDY FAIRCHILD Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 1:40 PM To: Minnesota Subject: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index Hello listers, Has anyone else noticed the deletion of all birth dates on the Minnesota Birth Index at Ancestry.com? This is the one that covers the period of 1935-2002. In checking, it appears as though Ancestry is deleting the birth dates from other databases as well, which represents a huge loss to the genealogy world.Am wondering if anyone has thoughts about why this is happening! Sandy --------------------------------- Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.

Was it just recently that a laptop computer with hundreds of thousands of medical patients records lost or stolen in the Twin Cities? That might be a reason for the recent pull out of all information. SCB -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of SANDY FAIRCHILD Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 1:40 PM To: Minnesota Subject: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index Hello listers, Has anyone else noticed the deletion of all birth dates on the Minnesota Birth Index at Ancestry.com? This is the one that covers the period of 1935-2002. In checking, it appears as though Ancestry is deleting the birth dates from other databases as well, which represents a huge loss to the genealogy world.Am wondering if anyone has thoughts about why this is happening! Sandy ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Yeah, it's awful how it's also part of doing business daily, as an earning base and practicing in yet another dirty business. People make it a business to search, scan and pick through others garbage (literally) to glean numbers from such documents and misuse them as they want, for criminal acts. SCB -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jeanine Reckinger Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:12 PM To: minnesota@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index I wonder personally if there are any statistics available indicating the source of information that identity thieves, stalkers, and other miscellaneous ilk have used to gather the information they use. Bet there is more information available through our medical records, credit cards, telephone company records etc. that thousands and millions of people have access to and we don't give one thought to that as being a source to be concerned about . . . or that is most people don't, they consider it part of doing business daily!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen Sullivan" <ksullivan@hvc.rr.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 2:56 PM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > Identity thief? Stalking? Legal issues? Mind boggling and scary if that > information is available to anyone who searches the internet. > > -----Original Message----- > From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] > On Behalf Of SANDY FAIRCHILD > Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2006 2:40 PM > To: Minnesota > Subject: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > > > Hello listers, > > Has anyone else noticed the deletion of all birth dates on the Minnesota > Birth Index at Ancestry.com? This is the one that covers the period of > 1935-2002. In checking, it appears as though Ancestry is deleting the > birth > dates from other databases as well, which represents a huge loss to the > genealogy world.Am wondering if anyone has thoughts about why this is > happening! > > Sandy > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Jeanine: It isn't so much Ancestry's fault for changing the rules as for the criminal element in the country and the mis-appropriation of ones identity. Identity theft has turned into a number one problem for financial institutions and even for us ... those researching the dead. It makes the task of tracking our ancestors more difficult however, it's not impossible. Shelia B. Meandering Minnesota Meadows webachel@wolf.co.net -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jeanine Reckinger Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 11:12 AM To: minnesota@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index back I the days of "snail mail" it was not unusual for me to go through three 100-stamp rolls per month . . . I put them on return envelopes that I addressed or I added post cards with my phone number etc. I found info that is and never will be on the net, little churches, little cemeteries . . . many things . . . tracked things down by phone too . . . however, not to have the dates of those over 100 years old is going to make it very tough to do our tracing back that far . . . at best they weren't all listed, but those that were at least ruled out certain places you didn't need to look . . . HOWEVER, my question is . . . is this connected to Homeland Security OR is it connected to more small packages being put together by ancestry.com that people will have to purchase in order to get the "full blown" US collection? If that is what is going on, then it does anger me . . . you purchase one thing and you end up with something different!! When things like this happen without explanation, it gives one pause to consider the REASON!! ----- Original Message ----- From: <Hcounter@aol.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 4:51 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > > In a message dated 10/22/2006 3:08:41 PM Central Daylight Time, > jreck@ecenet.com writes: > > well you can't get information about births at any courthouse that I've > contacted either, most of them will verify info if you have it all > written > and they go to the ledger, but some won't even do that much. > > And this is not just for MN, pick a name to type in on ancestry and look > that birth column . . . just lists the state! > > > > So we are back to doing some research the hard way. Mail shots, etc. > That > is what I used when I first started this hobby 30+ years ago, and can do > it > again. It actually netted me many more "live" cousins that I have gotten > to > know than just using info on the net has done. > > Annie in Minnesota > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I grew up in Austin, MN and remember several STRATTONS in town. Shelia Bachelder Meandering Minnesota Meadows webachel@wolf.co.net -----Original Message----- From: minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:minnesota-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Carole Dyke Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 6:59 PM To: minnesota@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Southern Minnesota OK, I'll make a snowangel for you. Besides Hall, I have Strattons from Minnesota, also. Mostly southern part. Carole ----- Original Message ----- From: "T and L Hoper" <hoperfamily@yahoo.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:04 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Southern Minnesota > Hi Carole, > > Windom area here :) . Went to Pipestone a lot while I was in HS for the > sports teams. > > My main families are in Jackson, Lakefield and Okabena, with some I have > found, in the Mt. Lake area. Who woulda thunk huh?? LOL Through > research, I have some distant cousins in Pipestone also, what surname, I > dont remember, I would have to go back through my records. > > I miss my snow terribly, but not the cold or scooping it. I miss the > season changes. While everything there should be bright oranges, reds and > yellows.... I am basically stuck with green and then after the "hard" > freeze (usually in Jan), I get brown... LOL. > > Through my trip back home this past 4th of July, I got to see the > homestead of my mother's family :) That was interesting because they > still have a portion of the original house. I thought it was a corncrib > because it was so..... "breezy" looking...I could basically see right > through it. How did they stay warm???? > > Anyways, enough babbling. Everyone make a snowangel for me this year :) > > Lori L (Aden) Hoper > > > --------------------------------- > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small > Business. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

I held back... but, you can't get much information for identity theft from genealogy. You can find someone that indicates who they are and they will be back in the old country for a week, just add their address and you might have a burglary. Most identity theft are family and/or friends. I also could get more from your garbage or mail than you could ever get from genealogy. If I have your date of birth and address, that won't get me much. I still need to know where you bank or have financial documents. If I get your medical data, then I could possibly get some of your medical insurance to pay for my problems. I STILL need your Social Security Number for a lot of access. I still need your drivers license info. Yes, I can make a fraudulent license with your name, address and DOB, but... I was in federal law enforcement as a Special Agent for 31 years. If you want to protect yourself, get a computer firewall. Get a paper shredder and shred all documents that have your bank account or other financial information. Get a mail box that requires you to use a key to get it, or a USPS mail box. Do not advertise that you are going to Norway between June 14 and July 5. Someone could find out where you live and see just who might take care of your house and when they're gone. I saw more Identity theft from bank employees than common strangers. I saw more IRS employees accessing friends and family. These same IRS employees had your SSN, home address and bank account where you had your refund check sent. But, these one percent dishonest were being tracked. Your local grocery or other store, had your check...does it have your address and phone number and bank account number... Do you shred your papers or just put them in the garbage? For a "secret password question", do you use your mothers maiden name? If so, stop doing that...BUT, unless they know more about you, even that isn't enough. I could give you my date of birth and address...RIGHT NOW, just try to open a credit card account with that. Add my mothers maiden name...so what. You need my Social Security Number. You probably will need my phone number. So, you use a fictious address, but, I've put a lock on new accounts. No, an ancestors date of birth, or even a living persons date of birth is not enough. ON THE OTHER HAND. We now live in a free society. If we start withholding information for genealogy. Then let's withhold anyone from accessing genealogy records. If you're not a family member and can prove it, you can't access the information. You can not access the phone number or address of another. We will need to hold ALL personal information from the internet. Then, we will stop allowing people to access any public records at any local, state or federal level. We will not allow ANYONE to access ANY information on ANYONE. This starts an iron curtain (an old phrase for the Soviet Empire) on information. Soon, we will not be able to look at our neighbors property without fear of violating personal privacy laws. Who will watch this? EVERYONE will be watching EVERYONE. Fear causes fear, which causes fear. "What we have to fear is fear itself". Ron Bestrom

OK, I'll make a snowangel for you. Besides Hall, I have Strattons from Minnesota, also. Mostly southern part. Carole ----- Original Message ----- From: "T and L Hoper" <hoperfamily@yahoo.com> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 4:04 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Southern Minnesota > Hi Carole, > > Windom area here :) . Went to Pipestone a lot while I was in HS for the > sports teams. > > My main families are in Jackson, Lakefield and Okabena, with some I have > found, in the Mt. Lake area. Who woulda thunk huh?? LOL Through > research, I have some distant cousins in Pipestone also, what surname, I > dont remember, I would have to go back through my records. > > I miss my snow terribly, but not the cold or scooping it. I miss the > season changes. While everything there should be bright oranges, reds and > yellows.... I am basically stuck with green and then after the "hard" > freeze (usually in Jan), I get brown... LOL. > > Through my trip back home this past 4th of July, I got to see the > homestead of my mother's family :) That was interesting because they > still have a portion of the original house. I thought it was a corncrib > because it was so..... "breezy" looking...I could basically see right > through it. How did they stay warm???? > > Anyways, enough babbling. Everyone make a snowangel for me this year :) > > Lori L (Aden) Hoper > > > --------------------------------- > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small > Business. > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message

the births are up to 1920 or so currently I believe?? Even so, there are times when the two sites may not be exactly the same . . . and each does cover a different period of time . . . ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gayle Nyberg" <gnyberg1@comcast.net> To: <minnesota@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, October 23, 2006 6:09 AM Subject: Re: [MINNESOTA] Minnesota Birth Index > Minnesota Birth & Death records are available on the MN Historical site: > > http://www.mnhs.org/index.htm > > Gayle > Minneapolis > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.9/490 - Release Date: 10/20/2006 > > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MINNESOTA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message >