This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: wwmccollum Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.pennsylvania.counties.northumberland/9723.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I have relatives still living in the Shamokin area who might be able to help with your search. Do you have a name and denomination for your grandfather? There would not have been a government issued birth certificate at that time, because most US states did not start issuing them until about 1920. The church should have recorded the birth/baptism. There were a number of Catholic churches whose members were split among various ethnic groups, so knowing his national origin would help. There were relatively fewer Protestant churches, particularly after the influx of immigrants from East Europe to work the coal mines. The Catholic churches dwindled in number after the Depression and their records have been consolidated and are maintained by the Mother Cabrini church. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.