Someone recently posted a list of organizations one might contact for biographical data on individuals. One of the organizations was Woodmen of the World, popular as a burial society around the turn of the 20th century and still a going concern. Since I knew my grandfather's gravestone was one of those "tree" replica monuments of the W.O.W, I wrote asking if they had biographical data. They said they needed name, dates of birth and death, and location, all of which I had and all of which I sent them. Their reply: Subj: Records Search Response for Horace C Poythress Date: 5/1/01 10:13:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time From:    [email protected] To:    [email protected], [email protected] Name:  Horace C Poythress Date of Birth:  01/21/1867 Date of Death:  06/06/1918 Policy was issued on:  11/17/1916  at the age of  50 City and State:  Sylvania,Ga Occupation:  Farmer Death Claim was paid on:  05/09/1919 Monument was issued on:  05/01/1920 Camp Number:  645 Camp State:  Ga Since the death claim was paid, the applicant for membership and the death claim are no longer a part of our records. Thank you for your inquiry. For information about our fraternal organization, please access our web site:  www.woodmen.com. ------------------------------------------------ In my case, they didn't tell me anything significant that I didn't already know. However, if you are looking at a death date in early 20th century and are missing a few precise details, this might be a source worth checking. Ironically, once they pay the claim, they apparently no longer retain the orginal application and the claim which are the two documents most likely to have something one didn't already know. However, I'm sharing it for what its worth. Maynard