Thanks so much to all who responded to my message about obtaining a 1972 death certificate. The Dept of Health did send me my great grandmother's dc (died in 1937) which had Dixie Irby listed as the informant. Dixie was the youngest and all her siblings were deceased and from what I have been able to find out, she had no children. A friend was listed as the informant in the "C.O. Pate Funeral home records." I got that info along with her obit from the MS Gen Society. I called the funeral home and they said they did not keep any records from that far back. Unfortunately I did put purpose of request as genealogy. it has been a year since my last request so maybe I should try again and hope that they don't remember me. I would be almost satisfied if I could just get her father's name and her place of birth. She is definitely my greatgrandmother's daughter but I question whether my greatgrandfather was her father. I also have conflicting information on her date and place of birth. She was born Lulu PARRISH and died Dixie IRBY. I haven't been able to find her marriage record yet so I'm really counting on her death certificate. I realize this "friend" might not have known this information it's worth a try. Anyway, you've all been great so thanks again. If anyone needs any info from Alameda County, CA, let me know. Beverly