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January 2008 << Tips and Tricks
Ancestors is proud to present the best genealogical tips
and tricks from genealogists around the globe. Every month, the
Ancestors team selects a featured tip for you to use in
your own genealogical work.
Do you have a tip or trick to submit? Just visit our tip submission page to find out how to send your favorite tips!
Here is this month's featured tip:
If your deceased ancestor served in the U.S. armed forces during this century and filed a claim for benefits, you can request to view the C-File kept on the veteran by contacting your nearest Veterans Affairs Office. Include as much relevant information as possible, especially full name, Social Security Number, and C-File number, if known.
My granduncle Bert's C-File revealed much more than just his appendectomy in France while serving in the A.E.F. and his numerous address changes back in America. It mentions his marriage to a French woman and the birth of their son in Paris in 1920--merely a rumor while I was growing up. Five other marriages back in America are also mentioned. After a few years of research, I had only uncovered three of those marriages. After four hours at the Veterans Affairs Office reading his file, I had a total of six marriages, one child, several certified documents and loads of personal and medical history for an uncle about whom I knew very little.
Daniel M. Gwin
Salt Lake City, UT
Use the right sidebar to view other tips and tricks.
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