I am looking for my great-grandfather... except I don't know his name... any suggestions?

Question

Before I was born, there was a huge family rift. My grandfather's father disowned him. All I know about my great grandfather is that when his wife died he lived in California. I am pretty sure he is passed away now, but I am hoping through finding who he was I can find my lost family. I have the following info on grandpa... when and where he was married, birth date, death date and place, name of spouse and children from the marriage. I have been trying to find out more, but not sure where to look. I paid to have a certified copy of his death certificate sent to me, but the parent spaces are blank. I know he HAD parents... he had tribal items that used to be his father's, and my mom says his dad was a full-blooded Cherokee. The Tribal Councils won't help because I have no member card. Anyone who has suggestions on this, please help me... I am looking for my roots... I really appreciate it!

Answer 1

Your great grandfather would have been named on your grandfather's birth certificate assuming he had one. You can search BMD records on several genealogy websites like ancestry.com or if you can locate where he was born you can order the record from vital statistics.  You may also have some luck back tracking through BIA records.

Answer 2

Grandfather's birth certificate from courthouse in county he was born in. . A news paper announcing his birth. The obituary of your great grandfather's wife since you know where she died, assuming you knew her name. Cemetery records where she was buried. His grave would be next to hers in most cases. The last should be the same as your  grandfather. Marriage announcement from paper on your grandpa. Newspapers have archives.  

Answer 3

When grandpa died, was there mention of siblings in any obit? His death certificate may not have the parent names, but the death certs of siblings can have it.

the other option is post grandpa's name and birth place/ date.. siblings if possible.. and see if someone can pick them up in the census records (assuming grndpa is born prior to 1930).

Gr grandma's death certificate would normally have spouse name as well, if they were still married at that time.  

Answer 4

Best place to check would be his birth record (certificate). From that certificate, you would be able to go backwards for each of his parents. A bonus will be (if you do not already know it) the maiden names of the mothers as well as where the parents were born!

Happy Hunting!

Answer 5

The other answers are all right on the money, a birth certificate would be one of the more accurate ways of finding your grandfather and his parents info.  If that is a bust and you can't find the birth certificate for what ever reason, you do know where and when he was born, if it was before 1930 you can check the census records as well to see if you can find him and his parents.  All else fails remember in a couple of years there will be the 1940 census to dive into!

genzoli

founder California Genealogy Club

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/california...

Answer 6

If you are not sure of the County that your grandfather was born in, you can also request a copy of his Social Security Application.  This will usually list the names of his parents as well.  It will also list the county and state in which he was born.

Check the Social Security Death Index for your grandfather.  Then request a copy of his original application.