Dear Washington researchers, I need your expert advice, please. My great grandfather, Jacob Peter MEIER, moved his family from Ottumwa, Wapello Co., Iowa to Spokane, WA about 1895-1899 (they were on the 1900 US Census in Peaceful Valley area). Jacob made a trip back to Ottumwa, evidently to visit family remaining there (I suspect he arrived in Ottumwa with adult children from a former marriage). According to a 30 Apr 1903 newspaper death notice, "Remains will be laid away tomorrow morning in Calvary Cemetery...who died Mon afternoon while on a visit in the city...." I have verified the fact that his remain area, in deed, located in that cemetery. I have requested a death certificate from Iowa a number of times, using a range of years and variety of spellings, etc., but all I've been able to receive is an actual certificate stating that a search was made, but not death certificate exists. Very frustrating, as I looked forward to the possibility of a clue as to his origins (all I've had to go on is census info that he and his parents were born in Germany). Do you think there is a possibility I'm looking in the wrong place? Could it be that the death certificate is on file in Washington State because Jacob was a resident of that state when he died? I'd hate to spend $18 to get another certificate certifying no certificate exists! There is a little entertainment value in receiving such a certificate, I acknowledge; however, it gets a bit spendy for folks like me who are on a limited income! LOL -- - - - Carlyine Ritter Jessee@presys.com ICQ #9189377 JESSEE, BROWNING, HABRON - SW VA BLACK/SCHWARTZ, PARSONS - Ashe Co NC RITTER, MEIER, VANDER HEIU, SE IA, WA