Often dippy bureaucrats do not want to be bothered by us genies. I would think, being a direct descendant, that a request for a death cert would be honored. Perhaps they were not recording deaths at this time. Have you tried SSDI? There are a great numbers of ways to establish birth...funeral home? Obit? SS application? Job? Sometimes one must use the due diligence and not work with those short-sleeved democrats and diverse employees who work for our government. So, persevere, scheme, good luck. Erik Conard, Denver To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html