I assume your request to Iowa was to the State Vital Records in Des Moines, since they cannot locate a death certificate I would assume that it is perhaps misfiled in someway. You have pretty good evidence that MEIER died in Ottumwa, IA, so I think I would call the Wallepo County Clerk or recorder to see if they have the death certificate. Check at this link for address and info. http://www.rootsweb.com/~iawapegs/courtrec.htm Also it would be a good idea to check Spokane, WA for a probate case. If MEIER had a will and owned property etc in Spokane then his Will would've been probated there, and occasionally they even file a copy of the death certificate at the time the Petition to Probate a Will is filed. The Spokane County Clerk will have Probate records on microfilm. Hope these idea's help! Nancy Jo Campbell Washougal, Wa -----Original Message----- From: L. Carlyine Ritter <jessee@presys.com> To: WASHINGTON-L@rootsweb.com <WASHINGTON-L@rootsweb.com> Date: February 25, 1999 11:38 AM Subject: [WASHINGTON-L] Death Cert. for Jacob Peter MEIER 1826-1903 >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 > >