At 12:01 AM 6/25/2010, you wrote: > Bonnie is seeking data on a 1950 burial from Stroud's funeral home. > While not finding the cemetery, did locate J. Harry Stroud, funeral home, >at 503 N. 63rd st. in 1915 and 1922. > An obituary of 1951 Stroud was at 200/02 N 63rd. > Anyone know of records for this home or if it could have been > sold to another >company? >Thanks, Jane Funeral homes are wonderful sources of information; but lately because of identity theft they have become more careful of sharing their records. I have had the best results by contacting the funeral home first by phone to determine if they have records for the time frame I'm searching (usually earlier than 1950.) These records are privately owned by the home and may go with the former owners if the home sells. If the home does not have the records for reasons other than catastrophe, they may know where they went. Or suggest another home in the area. When I have found the right funeral home, I thank them and say I will be sending a letter. The letter is business-like, of course and concise. I begin by saying I am a family historian researching the family of (whomever) and believe their home may have served the family. I provide all of the vital information that I know about the individual, or individuals. - birthdate, death date, spouse, children etc, even SS# if I have it. I request copies of their records and note that I am enclosing a check for their trouble. (Usually $5 for 1 or 2 individuals, $10 or more for 3 or more.) and an SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope - of course) for their convenience. Close with sincere thanks for their help. Some of the results I've had include, extra research done by the funeral home to include newspaper clippings, cemetery photos and letters given to local researchers (I make donations to their genealogy library). Nearly all of the time the check is returned by the home - but if it isn't, but you get information it is still a bargain :-) Good luck! JoAnn