I am starting to research my family history...?

Question

I have my great-grandfather's full name and I can find him in the S.S. death index, but that is all. Why can't I find him any where else? I've heard that he may be from Denmark. I've been using familysearch.org, which only brings him up in the S.S. death index. So, I have his date of birth, date of death, and Social Security No. Any ideas?

Answer 1

try this link http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/ if it doesn't  work well he's your great- grandfather!!

Answer 2

I wish I could help more, but at least I can tell you that it sounds very likely that your great-grandfather is from Denmark. Though his last name could also be Norwegian, it is about five times more common in Denmark (actually also the name of my own great-grandfather :-) ). I tried looking the information up for you on a Danish website, but alas, the last information there was from 1916.

If he was born in Denmark and you can find out where in the country, it is possible to find him in the church books, which can be found at the regional central archives...well, if you ever happen to be in Denmark at least. Or perhaps you can find a Danish genealogy buff who could help you out with that...

Best of luck with your project.

Answer 3

All I can suggest is the usual: ask all your living relatives for information; use what info you have to track him down (check with the records clerk in his town/county/state/etc.) for MORE information on him.

Check websites; libraries.  Ours has both www.ancestry.com and www.heritagequest.com free for useage.

Here are some "free" genealogy websites:

http://www.searchforancestors.com/...

http://www.censusrecords.net/?o_xid=2739...

http://www.usgenweb.com/

http://www.census.gov/

http://www.rootsweb.com/

http://www.ukgenweb.com/

http://www.archives.gov/

http://www.familysearch.org/

http://www.accessgenealogy.com/...

http://www.cyndislist.com/

http://www.geni.com/

There are many other genealogy websites, some of which allow a limited amount of research for free or offer a free trial (be sure to cancel or you will be charged). Cyndi's has the most links to genealogy websites, based upon origins, ship registers, etc.

Have fun and good luck!

Answer 4

If you would like any help getting started, why don't you edit your question and include you grandfathers name and any dates you have and a location is really useful. If your grandfather is alive and well then it will be unethical to post the information.

Answer 5

If you have Bair or Bar in your past I can fill in blanks for you back to 1736.

John

Answer 6

A copy of his death certificate should have his place of birth and the names of both parents including mother's maiden name and their places of birth.  Now in the U.S., each state has its own laws regarding who, when and where a person can obtain vital records on another.  So call your County courthouse, perhaps county clerk, and ask.

They could probably point you in the right direction.

I have a friend who thought she was famililess after her mother died.  Her parents' death certificates didn't help as the informants didn't know anything.

I got a letter for her off of Ancestry.Com to get a copy of her parents' social security number application.  They applied the latter part of 1934 so they could have social security drawn when it went into effect January 1, 1935.  The applications had the names of both parents including mother's maiden names and their places of birth including the counties in which they were born.  If you locate your great grandfather on the SSDI on Rootsweb(freesite) or Ancestry.Com, off to the right there is a place for you to probe and it will pull up a letter for you on your great grandfather. All you need to do is attach a $27 check, sign the letter, put your relationship to him and your address and send it to Social Security.

The upshot of my search for my friend who is somewhat mentally challenged. I put a message on 3 county message boards in Alabama and got a hit very fast.  She now knows she has many cousins who are delighted to find her.  She visited them for 10 days last May and they want her back for a month visit this May.  One of her aunts living in a nursing home in Montgomery held her in a  tight grasp when she visited with her.