U.S. Death Certificates

[DerekBarnett]

Hi everybody,

I've recently started researching my family history and could do with some advice, please.

One of my relations, John Allan, emigrated from Perth, Scotland to the US in March 1921, when he was 33 to become a golf professional. I have obtained his documentation regarding his voyage from the ellisisland website. According to their information, his final destination was to be Athens, Georgia.

What I would like to know is how I can search for his death certificate - assuming of course firstly that he stayed in Georgia and secondly that he is dead! Mind you, if he was still alive he'd be 117 by now, but they can do anything these days!

Thanks very much for any assistance you can offer.

Derek Barnett

[Geoffers]

One of my relations, John Allan, emigrated from Perth, Scotland to the US in March 1921, when he was 33 to become a golf professional. What I would like to know is how I can search for his death certificate
I only have very limited experience with death records in the USA, I'd stand to be corrected by those who know better - but - I'd suggest the best place to start is the American Social Security Death Index. I think it's compiled from Social Security numbers which were reported to a branch of government when someone died. The SSDI is available online (should turn up using a decent search engine) - I believe via both Ancestry and Rootsweb, amongst others.

Geoffers
Charlbury, Oxfordshire

[Peggy]

Hi Derek,

I can't find him on the 1930 census, in Georgia or anywhere else. Do you have his DOB to help pin down his age on the date of that census? Was he married? Geoffers is correct about the SSDI, and you might luck out, but I suspect you'll get too many hits. You can't search by where the person was born, only where the Social Security card was issued. If you are sure that he stayed in the US, your best bet might be through some professional golfers' association he'd have joined. And if he played in tournaments, there should be records. I know nothing about golf except that it is some sort of religion, and that the Masters tournament is played in Augusta, GA. Athens, btw, is the site of the University of Georgia.

Good hunting,

Peggy

[DerekBarnett]

Hi Peggy,

Thanks for your info. I've now managed to obtain John's birth certificate. His date of birth was 6 April 1888, so by the 1930 census he would have been 42. His wife's name was Florence.

Could you give me the web address of the US census, please.

Many thanks,

Derek

[Peggy]

Hi Derek,

Got 'im! |woohoo|

In Anniston, Calhoun Co., Alabama, with Florence & 3 kids. Plus a bonus: a brother. Teacher, golf course.

E-mail on the way.

The US census is online at a couple of pay sites. 1930 is the latest one made public. 1940 should be out in 2010, if they haven't changed their minds.

Cheers,

Peggy

[Peggy]

Hi Derek,

Anniston Country Club has a golf course built in 1909. If that's where John was the pro, perhaps they have records for him.

Anniston Country Club
601 Highland Ave
Anniston, AL 36207
(256)237-4615, fax (256)237-9980

Cheers,

Peggy

[Peggy]

Hi again Derek,

I don't see a John Allan with his birth date on the SSDI. Is it possible that he has living relatives in the US? If so, they may be looking for you, and should be able to tell you what became of him. I've had luck finding US cousins by starting at Rootsweb, with the RootsWeb Surname List/RSL. I'd put: Allan 1888 (or earliest Allan date) to ? Perth, SCT to Anniston, Calhoun Co., AL, USA to ? and the comment "John, golf pro Anniston 1930, wife Florence." I'd also do an entry under her surname, if known. Then I'd post a query on the Allan message board at Rootsweb and search the archives of the Allan mailing list. If I had a photo of him, I'd stick it on AncientFaces.com. Also, the USGenWeb page for Calhoun Co. AL looks useful. (Reached from the Rootsweb home page.) There's a link for the Anniston library, which has a local history/genealogy collection. Hope some of that helps.

Peggy

[DerekBarnett]

Hi Peggy,

That is fantastic! Thanks so much for all your help. I have taken your advice and posted messages on the appropriate boards, and will be writing to the golf club to see if they can offer any further assistance - shame they haven't got an e-mail address, looks like I'll have to be all old fashioned and actually write a letter!

Thanks again,

Derek