I now know more about me; family research

12 years ago

I have a cousin who is into genealogy. She's been working for y-e-a-r-s on our family's history. It's a tough job; we come from a long, multi-generational line of gypsies and wanderers who never seemed to settle for long, didn't leave much in the way of legal, or even written, records, and some members have been known to change the facts from time-to-time for various reasons.

I asked if she thought she'd have any luck finding out anything about my father. My off-and-on attempts to locate him, beginning in the early 1980s, has never panned out.

This morning I mentioned his full name and where he lived when he married Mom.

This afternoon she had this info...

Basil Odell Collins was born on April 1, 1930. His parents were Lee Washington Collins and Anthia Elizabeth Collins (maiden name Stubbs), all born in Missouri. His siblings in 1930 were Audnis Collins, age 10, Herlius Collins, age 6, Howard Collins, age 2. In the '80s I spoke to another brother, my uncle, named "James" who was in Houston, TX at the time.

According to Social Security records my father passed away on July 9, 1992 in Anderson, Shasta County, California.

--------------

I am Carol Collins. Daughter of Basil Collins; grand daughter of Lee and Anthia Collins; niece to Audnis Collins, Herlius Collins, Howard Collins, and James Collins. (Unless "James" is a middle name for Howard.)

In all my life I've never known the name of any other related "Collins" except for the one on my birth certificate.

She's now working on finding the five brothers I have from the Collins side. I have four brothers from my Mom; I have five brothers from my Father. I just knew I was special! LOL

---------------

Back-story...My cousin is, of course, Grandma's grand daughter. She is the daughter of Grandma's daughter, L., from Grandma's (supposed) first marriage to Mr. Whisenhunt. I am the daughter of Grandma's daughter, W., from her second marriage to Mr. Richards.

Cousin has learned, and found the legal proof, that our dear Grandmother had a marriage no one knew about.

She found the marriage license for her (Cousin's) grandfather Mr. Whisenhunt, but Grandma's name was listed as C. Mowler. Much more sleuthing, and help from several counties, Cousin found a marriage license for Grandma, C. Phelps, to the unknown Mowler.

Oh what a tangled web we weave...and nearly 100 years later it's so hard to unravel.

My Grandma, the prim and proper, ultra-strict, Ruler of the Clan...had a secret marriage. Oh my, when I get to Heaven she's gonna have some 'splanin' to do!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

susanjf_gw
12 years ago
if you want to get some free stuff go to the mormon church site..they don't charge like the others do now...

btw you can get (for a fee) your father's original ss form...
0
caroline94535
Original Author
12 years ago
Who do I contact/pay for that form? SS office?
0
Related Discussions
I'm soooooooo confused now more than ever now what do I do
Q
Comments (12)
Thank you all for your support it means the world to me. I've always been the type to beat myself up for not knowing how to do the things just right. It would not be so bad if dad's mind wasn't clear as a bell right now. His abuse of his medicine is a real concern for me. I got a call from him today saying he needs his antibiotic for his sinus, well he'll only take one or two and he says it cures his sinus. You and I know this isn't so and even if it does help it's short term, taking the antibiotics like that can cause harm but no one can get this through to my dad. I have had so many problems with doctors in my past that I don't trust them easily. It was me that saved my husband from a possible stroke, his blood pressure was high and I could tell when it was up but with the sleep apne he had to take showed how bad it was. They could not get it down all night so I marched into our dr.'s and told them about this and they looked back at his chart and seen that it was high everytime he went in for a check up. Now why don't they pay more attention to this? This is why I fear looking for yet another doctor. I have no luck with them. Only once did I have a wonderful doctor and within a year my insurance changed and he didn't take it :( He was the one that listen to me about my weight and took test finding that my thyroid was bad. I went through years with a sore throat and my throat closing up at night in my sleep, waking up unable to breath for 10 or so seconds but felt longer and didn't know if I'd get my breath. If it's wasn't for y'all I don't know if I'd be able to be strong for my dad. I never knew it could be so hard. I look at pictures of my grandparents, dads parents and talk to them and wishing they were here. They had a hard life and I can just image that they went through just what I am now. They took care of my great grandmother for 17 years then told my grandmothers brother it was time for him to care for his mother and give them a break. Great grandmother was called little granny and I never seen pictures of her but heard great stories about her, I found a picture of her the other day and I'm so happy to finally seen her, she past away a few years before I was born. Sorry for being long winded. Barbara
...See More
I don't even know me any more....
Q
Comments (83)
I am 42 and have been miserable for the better part of the last 9 years. I used to think it was my job making me so unhappy so I left it for a lower paying job which I hated even more! I worked there for a year and a half and finally got fired which is what I thought I really wanted because I had lost all desire to work. It didn't help that my new boss constantly made me feel as though I could do nothing right.This was not the person I knew to be myself. I used to be out going professional and ambitious but I had lost all of my will to work any longer. During the first 6 months while I'm on unemployment I cried most days and didn't want to leave the house. I told myself I was trying to figure out what I really wanted in life and did so by reading books and scouring the internet for information on different careers. Eventually, I found out what's really going on with me was my hormones were making me insane. I never felt so alone in my entire life. My mother didn't offer much in the way of support because while she had a tough time with menopause, it was of a different kind. She had hot flashes and the night sweats and the crying all the time but my symptoms have been different than her. I'm not yet in menopause I guess, but perimenopause? I'm obsessed about my symptoms and spend all of my free time, at work, scouring the internet for information on how to help myself because I do not trust doctors. The last time I saw my gyno she was removing the IUD that she had inserted 3 months prior that escalated all of my symptoms. Since having the IUD I have had cystic acne the makes me want to wear a bag over my head. Speaking of bags, I also have had chronic sinus issues for 9 years that no prescription has helped and this leaves me with a bag under my right eye that no expensive eye cream can help. I have spent thousands of dollars on credit seeing 2 other doctors who tested my hormones and determined I was low on progesterone and vitamin D of all things, I live in the sunshine state! Have taken compounded, natural progesterone and felt better long enough to find a new job. Then my dog of 13 years died, followed ny my stepfather of 37 years dying. During the last several months of taking care of my stepfather I stopped taking care of myself and find myself back to feeling hopeless. I feel like no one understands what I am going through or wants to be around me. Going to see the same gyno today and plan to discuss whether or not she can help me. I need to feel better NOW. I am so miserable, I can't stand myself!
...See More
Now I know what they mean about getting addicated....
Q
Comments (17)
Thanks pattico for the link. My neighbors were commenting on these the other day and couldn't believe they were something I made myself. I do plan on bringing them in during the winter months just in case. Hadn't thought about the rock from a lawn mower though. Oh well, that'll just be an excuse to make more. LOL! As for it being windy...it gets pretty windy here as well, so you need to be sure your bottom piece is very heavy. Or silicone on a large, heavy piece like a microwave oven plate (2 bucks or so at thrift stores) and cover it with rock or mulch if you want to hide it.
...See More
I need help with research about kids in stepfamilies
Q
Comments (12)
To some extent, the situations are different. In one, the step daughter lived in another state, and they only saw her during the summer. When her mother finally remarried, she married really well, but my friend and her husband were struggling financially, in low paying jobs. My friend went on to have two children, and they became a real family. They resented sending child support for his daughter who they rarely saw, and had little imput in her life. And it really ripped my friend that they had to send support to his ex-wife who now had a well-to-do husband, the house, car, jewelry...that my friend would never have. My friend resents everything about this woman. Another friend ...she does not want the influence of a teenager around her children, and she resents that her husband just bought his son a brand new (expensive) car, without asking her, because he felt guilty about the divorce. Another...they have custody of his children...and only one of the three was really respectful of her. She had a terrible time with the oldest daughter for a long time...even though the kids real mom abandoned them. The father was raising them alone when she met him. She too has gone on and had "their" kids. For a long time, she only sent me christmas cards with "her kids" in the picture...even though the other kids lived with them 100% of the time. They have moved out of state, and I will have to call her and catch up. And one other friend had one little girl with her new husband. She totally resented his ex-wife, and his two kids who were about 12-14 when she married her husband. It got to the point where she hated all of them, including her husband, for a long time...but she stayed in the marriage...perhaps for financial reasons as he was a good provider. They are still married, and their little girl is almost 16 now. It still is not wonderful with "his" kids who are now adults. She has always resented money being sent to his ex for support. They all knew going in ...but I suppose it is another thing living it. And I know many ex-wives out there continually "stir-the-pot" in many ways. But so do many new wives...creating strife...for some reason.
...See More
mamatoad
12 years ago
That's awesome! Until a few years ago, I did not even know the names of my maternal great grandparents. Now, after hours and hours of sleuthing, I can trace them back to the 1600's. I still have some more to do, but it has been an amazing journey. I hope you can find the siblings that you are searching for!
0
OklaMoni
12 years ago
I asked my dad about his parents and grands... and on one of his trips to visit me in Oklahoma he brought his "Ahnenpass". All Germans needed to possess and carry such a document during Hitlers reign.

I copied all info down at the time. Wish I had made copies...

Moni
0
Lindsey_CA
12 years ago
Social Security Administration
Office of Earnings Operations
FOIA Workgroup
300 N. Greene Street
P.O. Box 33022
Baltimore, Maryland 21290
Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

Dear Freedom of Information Officer,

I am writing this request under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. Section 552. I hereby request a copy of the SS-5, Application for Social Security Card, or a corresponding NUMIDENT printout (see below) for the following individual:

Collins, Basil
492-34-0296
Birth: 1 Apr 1930
Death: 9 Jul 1992

This individual is deceased, having been listed in the Social Security Administration's Death Master File. I understand the fee for this service is $27 for copy of original SS-5 application OR $16 for copy of an abbreviated NUMIDENT printout when the Social Security Number is provided. I am requesting a (circle one: SS-5 copy OR Numident printout) Included is a check for $______ made out to the Social Security Administration to cover any administrative costs required by this request.

Please respond to my request upon receipt of this initial correspondence. Thank you for your attention and assistance.

Sincerely,

Address:

Daytime Phone Number:
0
marie_ndcal
12 years ago
Sounds like you are busy. Change of subject--did you get the information about the Quilt Show next weekend? I emailed it to you about 3-4 days ago.
Marie from ND
0
jannie
12 years ago
I find geneology fascinating. I don't know much about my family before 1900. A cousin did a lot of research, but she passed away about 10 years ago and no one saved her records.
0
caroline94535
Original Author
12 years ago
Marie...Yes, I got the great info. I'm so sorry, I thought I responded on my iPod. I got wrapped up in possibly "finding" my other brothers I lost tract of my real life.

I'm going to try to come show, depending on the weather and road conditions. I'll be calling for reservations tonight.

Are you going to be at the quilt show? If so, I'd love to meet you and perhaps have coffee or lunch!
0
ghoghunter
12 years ago
I am a genealogy nut! I love it and have been searching for my family now for about 20 years! It's a wonderful hobby and I was just at a huge genealogy conference yesterday in Center City Philadelphia. It was sponsored by Ancestry and The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. When I run into brick walls searching my own family I do searches for all my friends and in-laws etc. I just love it. I always loved mystery stories so maybe that explains it!
Joann
0
Lindsey_CA
12 years ago
LOL, Joann (ghoghunter)!! I, too, love mysteries, and I, too, am a genealogy nut. I get so frustrated with Pennsylvania, though. My father's family came from Italy and ended up in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, which puts NOTHING online! Makes me crazy...
0

I now know more about me; family research

Comments (10)

susanjf_gw

caroline94535
Original Author

Related Discussions

mamatoad

OklaMoni

Lindsey_CA

marie_ndcal

jannie

caroline94535
Original Author

ghoghunter

Lindsey_CA

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

I now know more about me; family research

Comments (10)

caroline94535Original Author

Related Discussions

caroline94535Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

caroline94535
Original Author

caroline94535
Original Author