Re: MARUSZEWSKI-FINALDI-IGNATOWSKI-ZAKOWSKI
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In reply to:
MARUSZEWSKI-FINALDI-IGNATOWSKI-ZAKOWSKI
EILEEN 3/09/04
Hi Eileen ~
If you are just beginning. Start with what you know. First speak to other members of your family (particularly the older ones) and see what they can remember.
From there, follow these steps:
Start with obtaining a copy of your relative's social security application first. That will have some info on it regarding their birthplace and parents. Or you could try writing for her death certificate at their state's Dept of Vital Statistics or their county courthouse.Also, check the Social Security Death Index at http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/http://ssdi.genealogy.rootsweb.com/
You can also write to THEIR local courthouse to find out if there is a record of them being Naturalized. If so, they would have the “Declaration of Intent” form on file which would provide you with a WEALTH of info...including which US port they arrived in.
If they arrived through Ellis Island, go to the Ellis Island site through http://www.jewishgen.org/databases/EIDB/ellisshort.htmlhttp://www.jewishgen.org/databases/EIDB/ellisshort.html
...this site makes searching much easier. Try variations on the spelling of their last names as there are quite a bit of spelling errors with names because of handwriting legibility issues. If they didn't come in thru Ellis Island, you can go to the www.NARA.gov site and request Form 81, complete it, mail it to them and they will search for them based on the info you provide.
And finally, once you have their birthplace, you can write to the townhall in their birth townand request more information about them, their parents and siblings.(Once you know the birth town, you can probably do a search for it online to find out the address to write to.)
If you have to write the letter in their native tongue you can use www.freetranslation.com to help - just keep the sentences simple.
You’ll be amazed at what you can find out!!!