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Archiver > FLORIDA > 1997-10 > 0875905466


From: <>
Subject: Re: Death Certificate
Date: Fri, 3 Oct 1997 15:04:26 -0400 (EDT)


In a message dated 97-10-03 07:27:51 EDT, you write:

<< My g.g grandfather SCARBROUGH was born in 1852 in AL and died in February
1918 in White Springs, FL. I wrote the State of FL for a copy of his death
certificate and they wrote back that they didn't have a record of his death.
I called the cemetery in GA where he is buried and was told he did in fact
die in 1918 in FL. What do I do now? There is no record of his birth and
I'm trying to find out information on his parents. Any and all help would
be
appreciated.

Thank you,
Terry Harper
>>

Dear Terry - My great grandfather died in St. Augustine in 1904...and I am
doing the same dance with the State of FL Vital Statistics Office. If you
haven't already...write the county Health Dept. for a copy of his death
record and the local historical society. If you're lucky, one of them will
have a record of his death. Also, ask the historical society to find a copy
of his obituary that should have been published in the local newspaper at
that time. I have my great grandfather's obit from the newspaper in St.
Augustine AND Jacksonville...so I know he died there on that particular date.
But, NOBODY has his death record...not the health dept, the historical
society, or the state of FL. It seems they're all missing the years
1903-1914! Recently I wrote a very pointed letter to Vital Statistics in
Jacksonville, summarized how I've been passed around from office to office
and since his death record was published in the St. Augustine Genealogical
Society's quarterly...it was obviously there at some point in time!! I also
let them know that I am intent on finding his death record and I will not
give up easily! Both the health dept. and the historical society show
sending their records to Jacksonville, so I have to think that someone
stashed them somewhere up there and they are sitting in some back room! It
has become such as issue with me, I intend to go to my congresswoman if I
have to! It has now gone beyond obtaining my great grandfather's death
record...I am incensed that they would handle vital records in such an
irresponsible manner. If you don't find your record with the health dept or
historical society in White Springs, I would suggest you write a similar
letter to Jacksonville. Maybe between a few of us we can get them to get
their records straight! Good luck!

Sincerely,

Laura Tuttle
Miami, FL

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