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2/97 Questions 9,10,11 added.
12/96 - Original
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Q.1: How to do Genealogical Research using FBI Files?
A.1: The FBI maintained files on millions of Americans and others from 1908 until the present. Many genealogical researchers have been reluctant to request a copy of a relative's FBI file for research purposes. Here's how to do just that:
Just send a simple letter of request to the FBI. Contrary to popular
belief, you don't need to have a fancy form or notarized letter. No,
the FBI doesn't "start a file" on you when you ask for records that
you are entitled to request.
Send the letter to:
FBI Freedom of Information Act Unit
Records Resources Division
Federal Bureau of Investigation
9th & Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20535 USA
The letter should include the full name or names of the person whose
file you wish to receive, the date of birth, the date of death, the
place of birth. Finally, you need to send a photocopy of proof of
death. This can be ANY of the following: newspaper obituary, citation
from Who Was Who in America, death certificate, biographical reference,
encyclopedia or magazine article on the person, or your simple statement
that the person was born over 110 years ago. If the latter is the case,
then the FBI doesn't require written proof of death because they assume
anyone over 110 is probably deceased. But you'll still need the birth
date.
You may think: Why would I want the file if I already have the name and
birthdate? Well, the FBI file, if there is one, may have all sorts of
other data that will help you in your research.
Q.2: How much does the sevice cost, if at all?
A.2: You also need to include a statement that says *I agree to pay
reasonable fees associated with this request up to $25. Please notify
me if it is expected to exceed this amount.* Note that your FBI
request[s] will probably not cost anything at all because you receive
the first 100 pages at no cost if you are an individual, noncommercial
requester.
[Contributed by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
Q.3: Any other tips about writing the letter?
A.3:Also, you'll need to tell them to search their manual card records in
addition because the person whose "security file" was closed before 1956 or "criminal file" closed before 1973. The computer files only index back to 1958/1973 depending on the file-type. They only search the computer files unless you tell them to do otherwise.
[Contributed in part by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
Q.4: How long will it take for the resaults to come in?
A.4: They'll assign your request a case number within six weeks. You'll
receive a reply in about four years and eight months if there is a
file. You'll be notified in less than eighteen months if there are no
records recorded. Yes, you need to be patient, but if you don't start
now, you may never get the records. Some older records are going to
be destroyed soon, so you better get them now.
There are files on more people than you ever imagined. I have an 85%
hit rate on requests; they were not relatives.
[Contributed by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
Q.5 Do these files also provide the date of death?
or do they "stop" when the person has "stopped"?
A.5: You must provide the proof of death to the FBI, not the other way
around. But if you have proof of death, even if not the exact date,
sometimes the exact date is in the file. Often the file continues for
some time after the death of the person, go figure.
Q.6. What should I say about the sough-for person's death? What suffices as
a proof of death?
A.6: That helps, but may not be sufficient information. They want newspaper
obituary, newspaper article, magazine article, Who Was Who in America,
death certificate (that's usually easy to get from the county of death),
or other proof.
Also: You don't need to provide proof of death if the person was born more
than 110 years ago, because the assumption is that the person is
deceased.
[Contributed by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
However, the sought-for-person does not need to be kin. realted or even
known to you (other than proof of death).
Q.7: Can I go to the FBI in person? Where should I make my request?
A.7: The FBI does have a reading room you can browse in, in which they have
the 500 most requested files. You can look around with 48 hours notice, but you
must call and specifically make an appointment with the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act)Reading
Room first. Call the FBI and ask for the FOIA Reading Room and they'll connect you.
Note: People can ask for files, not only at FBI HQ, but also at any of the
56 Field offices in the US and at the dozen or so Legal Attache Offices
in other countries. They maintain files that are independant in some
cases of the headquarters files. You can get a list of the addresses of
the FBI Field Offices from the FBI or from any library; or from this URL
http://www.fbi.gov/fo/fo.htm
[Contributed by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
Q.8:At what age does a person has a file with the FBI? Infancy? 18? When requesting
a driver's license??
A.8: The files start at different ages and times for different people. I
very much doubt that many children would have files unless they are very
well known. Just my experience talking here.
[Contributed by: Michael Ravnitzky MikeRav@ix.netcom.com and published with his persmission ©, 1996-1997]
Q.9: How far back do these files go?
A.9: Technically - 1908. Most of the date back to 1924.
Q.10:In what form do the replies come back? Photocopies? Transcript?
A..10: Photocopies. There will be no computer printouts and the like. No "data", just copies of their own records. Probably no copies of document, niether.
Q.11: How about multiple requests? Are they allowed? Should I refrain from them?
A:11: Multiple requests are allowed for but you should probably not request more than one record per letter. As each letter get assigned one case number per letter, it will make it easier for you, to verbois resercher to follow them through if they are filed seperatley.
Q.12:Are there any official FBI publications? that describe the accessible FBI records?
A.12: A general description of the FBI records within the holdings of the National
Archives and Records Administration appears in Guide to Federal Records in
the National Archives of the United States, available online through our
homepage: www.nara.gov Within the Guide, refer to Record Group 65, Records of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. "Investigative records, 65.2.2" provides a general description of the records.
[Information furnished on ROOTS-L by: Jill D. Glenewinkel,Archivist,Office of Records Services,National Archives at College Park, MD; jill.glenewinkel@arch2.nara.gov]
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