RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => United States of America => Topic started by: Kenike on Sunday 22 October 06 19:20 BST (UK)
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Hi
I have just started looking at my partners family tree after successfully tracing a number of ancestors of my own here in England.
My partners natural grandfather was an American soldier who returned to America after the war and had no contact with family in this country for reasons unknown. It is with this in mind that I am aware that it is and could be a sensitive subject and am therefore holding back specific names and dates.
However I have read other posts on this board which return a whole host of information including 1930's census returns and know that this sort of information could help immensely with our search for possible family in America if he went on to get married after the war.
Do I need to search personally in America to gather this sort of information or can it be done via the web. Is for instance the 1930's census available on Ancestry.com?
I have his year of birth, Army Serial Number and the place of enlistment in Newark, New Jersey. I also believe I may have found his death and SS number but cannot tell whether its the same man.
My partner is also going to apply for his military records however I know this has limited success and am not sure of the information we would recieve.
Thanks in advance for any help or pointers you could give me,
K
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Which 'war' are you talking about?
U.S. Draft records for World War I are available to search on-line.
Most U.S. information needs to be searched by individual states- some have lots more data available on-line.
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Hiya
Thanks very much for your reply.
It was WWII and he was posted in this country for a period in which time he married an Englishwoman and conceived a baby.
I dont know when or if he returned to New Jersey and if or when a divorce occured as the englishwoman went on to re-marry.
Do divorces form part of the US vital records?
Thanks again
K
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Hi
My father was a GI who met and married my mom during WWII and I have traced my family in the US. He was born in New York, later moved with his family to New Jersey where he enlisted in the Army.
You will be able to apply for his military records and can start this process online. Although you do have to print out the application and send it airmail as they need a signature
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/
but I just want to warn you that there was a fire in the early 1970's and lots of records were lost (my dad's were) but hopefully you will be lucky.
Do you have his Army discharge papers? I might be able to help you with deciphering the abbreviations.
The 1930 census is online as is available with a subscription, I do have one so if you need help just PM me and I would be happy to look him up.
His SS application is also available (I think it cost about $25 when I applied) it will give you excellent information.
Let me know if I can help in any way as although it appears complicated to research on the other side of the Atlantic, it is relatively straight forward when you know how ;D
Yvonne
I have just checked Rootsweb SSDI which is free to search, just enter his details and you will see on the right hand side, a link "SS-5 Letter", which is a letter that you can print and send. The cost is $27
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Thanks Vonny,
I have looked at a couple of GI Trace websites which describe the process of applying for military records etc. Would they include the discharge papers or do they get handed to the GI?
My partners Grandmother (the GI's ex-wife) is still alive and is close family however she has never really disclosed much and my partners father never spoke of his dad that we know of. So without stepping on too many toes we are endeavouring to discover whether we have American family.
It is great to hear you were successful in tracing your family despite the loss of your fathers records. I know the chances are always slim but worth a try.
Are the full 1930's census records available on Ancestry.com? I have a subscription to the uk version and was considering upgrading to trace the family back further in America. If not your help in the look-up I'm sure would be invaluable so thank you.
K
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Hi
The discharge papers are given to the GI. If successful, you would get copies of these plus information regarding any medals and decorations and information from his medical records. I should just say that to apply online you would have to be next of kin so as your partner's Grandmother was divorced she wouldn't be eligible but your partner's parent would be.
The 1930 census full records are online and I must say that even though the world subscription is expensive, I personally wouldn't be without it, it has been invaluable in my research.
I understand your need to be sensitive, it was and still is in my case even though there wasn't a divorce, all contact with my dad's side of the family was lost after he moved here to live after WWII.
If you need any help, just shout ;D
Yvonne
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Hi
You can search the WWII enlistment records online at the NARA website here is the link.
http://aad.archives.gov/aad/fielded-search.jsp?dt=893&tf=F&cat=WR26&bc=sl
There isn't a great deal of information but it might be a start.
Yvonne
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Hi Vonny
Thanks again for your help.
My partners father died late last year and its kinda the reason we realised it would be better to try to trace now rather than leave it any longer.
Do you think we would have a chance at the records as next of kin if we perhaps included a copy of his Dads death certificate. I know it makes it harder. Can we obtain them as a member of the public if not able to get next of kin?
Thanks for your time and help
K
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Hi Kenike:
Try this site. You may be able to find his date of death and place of burial. http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1
Good luck,
Pat
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Hi Kenike
Yes you can!, download the "Standard form 180" from the link to Nara that I posted, the instructions on how to use this method is on the website. It would appear that by using this method, you will get limited information but it is still worthwhile as a starting point for your research.
Whichever method is used, this takes quite a long time. I think that I was quoted six months but it took about three and even though my dad's records were lost they were able to provide officially stamped documentation from other sources.
Please don't give up because you will surprised at the help available and the kindness of people in the US.
For instance, I had no idea of the exact date that my Grandmother died and decided to ring Calvary Cemetery in Queens, NY where my Grandfather was buried, I took a chance as my Grandmother remarried after his death. The man that I spoke to told me who was buried in the plot, who purchased it as well as range and plot numbers etc. and my Grandmother was buried there. This information normally costs 75 dollars but he gave it to me over the phone.
I hope this will inspire you to keep on
Once again let me know if I can help and wishing you all the very best in your search
Yvonne
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Thanks both Pat and Vonny for all your help.
Pat the link to the grave locator shows that the GI has quite possibly already passed away sadly, but going to try to trace any living descendents.
Will send off for the military info Vonny and see what we get back. I may be in touch at a later date if its okay to possibly get help with abbreviations etc and further info.
Thanks all again for your time and help,
K