Hi, Have you actually applied to DAR & UDC? I don't "do" UDC; but I may be able
to help you with DAR.
________________________________
From: Diane S <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Tue, March 15, 2011 7:23:38 AM
Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] Virginia Citations
Caroline -
I have a big problem with both the DAR and UDC. While I could join on my
mother's side, the patriots on my father's side are denied by both orgs. Here is
the problem... my father, born in 1921 was born at home. The old country doctor
simply ignored the state law saying that he must have a birth certificate, so my
father, and his older brother had none. Well, when my father joined the Navy in
1941, on his way to the 90 Day Wonder School for officers, the Navy insisted
that he have a birth certificate. So, he phoned his father, a lawyer, and both
his parents went to circuit court to apply for a 'court ordered birth
certificate'. Of course it was given to them, but the document had the name his
mother gave him at his birth 'Arnold Wood Stark' (Wood was the old doctor's
name), but since high school my father had been known as George Arnold Stark -
he never offered any explanation, just that he didn't like his birth name. Well,
all his college records are in George Arnold Stark, but his birth certificate
says 'Arnold Wood Stark', and even though I have his death certificate with his
parents' names listed, the same as the court ordered birth certificate, the Navy
insisted he make it legal.
I cannot even begin to tell you all the places I have searched for the document
changing his name legally - I even hired one of those 'on-line' search
companies, giving them ONLY the name George Arnold Stark - and would you believe
the document I rec'd from them was the 'court ordered' certificate! My brothers
have been to the courthouse and to the Bureau of Records, but the only document
that can be found is the court record... and they cannot explain how when given
just the 'new' name that they come up with the court record!
So, I approached the Navy thinking that perhaps he had it done after he joined
by a Navy JAG officer... but, the records of the Navy WWII officers were burned
in Indianapolis some years ago, and I was asked to fill in what I knew about his
service record! Oh, I have his separation document (he was called back in during
the Korean War and remained as a career), but that lists only where he has been
stationed and his 'jobs' at each place - and nothing more - they don't have that
information anymore due to the fire! I believe the record went down with his
first ship as did his Univ. of Georgia diploma, which they have kindly replaced,
in the name of, yes, George Arnold Stark!
Both of his grandfathers were C.S.A. since his father was older (b. 1866) when
my father was born, the youngest son of a 2nd marriage... I would like to be
able to put these great-grandfathers on my record IF I ever join... however
since both orgs. are so stubborn in not accepting my application without my
father's birth certificate with the name on it that he used on my birth
certificate, I am stuck! Even though I could join with multiple soldiers in both
wars on my mother's side, I am so incensed about this antiquated process that I
refuse - if this part of their process is so unbending, then the rest also must
be the same. I will continue to do my research and just knowing that so many of
my ancestors fought for our freedom (24 Rev. War soldiers proven and counting)
far surpasses my humble pride. I have just proven that my 3rd great-grandfather,
on my father's maternal side, was a captain in the Rev., and have placed a
marker by his son's grave (my 2nd great-grandfather) so that others will be able
to prove their lines.
Sorry - I don't think that any common sense is used by either organization!
Diane Stark Sanfilippo
Hi,
While working at the DAR for many years, I was the one of those who worked on
patriots where the lineage or service had been questioned. My answer, if I
could not solve the problem was "genealogies are helpful as a guide but many
are
not acceptable unless the information can be verified by sources, such as
vital
records, Bible records, cemetery records, or other records that could be used
in
probate court cases." I also would sometimes use 'third generation personal
knowledge.' Common sense must also used (5 year old girls do not give birth.)
I have been very careful in writing family histories and articles to footnote
everything. As a result, my works are credible and I have heard from other
interested
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