> Subject: Fwd: Legislation to close records This was sent to me by a > > fellow genealogist....doesn't sound like a good idea for us that are > > researching....thought you may be interested....Geraldine > The reason for wanting to make this DD form- discharge record- off limits is because they contain the servicemembers Social Security number. Many of these military vets are still living. At the time my husband registered his at the courthouse, nothing was said about them being made available to the general public-or we wouldn't have done it! The Department of Defense [DOD] didn't come into being until 1948...in 1970 the military switched from their Serial # to the SS#. Personally I think what needs to be changed, is to stop the use of SS# by everyone and their puppy! My original card states in capital letters "not for identification". For SS use only. Things that can be done - NEVER carry your SS in purse or wallet-refuse to write your SS# on checks-If people complain enough, if can have an effect ...Contact your credit card companies or businesses that use the mother's maiden name for identification, and have it changed to something else..We had no problem doing this.. ID theft is a booming business, and really putting a serious dent in our genealogy research! But to the best of my knowledge this closure will not affect the obtaining of the earlier military records-Just the DD form. Since this is the Wilkinson Co MS mail list: I am researching the DOANE, DUNBAR, DUNLOP, SHELBYs, that were in this county back in the late 1790s, early 1800s. Judy Trolinger > >The mailing list is designed as a forum for us genealogists to >communicate quickly and be able to coordinate activities in quick mode >should we have to do so. And we already have to do so. There is a >hearing at 1:30 or whenever the committee earlier in the day adjourns- >for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee discussing SB81 and SB 85 >which both want to close DD214-Military Discharge records in the county >clerk's offices. The hearing will be held in the Betty King Committee >Room in Austin. Anyone who attend is asked to do so >