http://www.rrb.gov/blaw/foia/foia.asp
Arturo,
I found this online. It is confusing to me. They say that information is available under the Freedom of Information Act, but information is not given regarding individuals. Does that mean that if I asked them for information regarding my father's employment there, that they couldn't give it to me? My father did not get the RR retirement since he only worked there a short time. He worked for Westinghouse in California under regular Social Security before he passed away. I see that Ancestry.com has some RRB records, but I haven't checked them out yet. I guess only those that got RR retirement would be listed there.
Thanks,
Emilie
Emilie:
It looks like the RRB FOIA site merely mentions that release of individual records is restricted. That does not necessarily mean that records of deceased individuals are off limits, merely that release of individual records may be denied, e.g. in case the person is still alive or someone were to request non-historical value records.
The privacy act referenced on that page specifically requires all Federal Agencies to determine which records might be of historical value and preserve them or have the National Archives preserve them.
I will look into the Ancestry RRB records next time I am at my family history center.
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Arturo,
thanks for clearing that up.
Emilie
----- Original Message -----
From: arturoramos
To: general@lists.nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 7:44 AM
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Railroad Retirement Board
Emilie:
It looks like the RRB FOIA site merely mentions that release of individual records is restricted. That does not necessarily mean that records of deceased individuals are off limits, merely that release of individual records may be denied, e.g. in case the person is still alive or someone were to request non-historical value records.
The privacy act referenced on that page specifically requires all Federal Agencies to determine which records might be of historical value and preserve them or have the National Archives preserve them.
I will look into the Ancestry RRB records next time I am at my family history center.
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Emilie, Arturo and All,
In July 1995 I contacted the RRB explaining that I was involved in a
genealogical project and requested all vital records that they had on file
covering my father-in-law's rail service employement. After providing his
Social Security Number, and a copy of his death certificate, I was notified
that as soon as their record search was completed I would be notified . By
the end of Aug 1995 I received notification that records had been located,
and that photocopies were enclosed.
Enclosed were various forms relating to occupation and compensation, as
well as the application for annuity under the RRB Act that had been
prepared by my father-in-law. This application provided vital genealogical
information as to his date of birth; place of birth; parent names; his
spouse's maiden name; spouse's date of birth and the date of their marriage.
.
Pat Silva Corbea
This is the address I used...
United States of America
Railroad Retirment Board
844 N. Rush
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Pat,
Do you know if they have any info prior to 1937? My father settled down in Colorado to raise sugar beets, etc. by that year when he married my mother. I was born in 1939. He must have worked on the railroad in the 1920s and early 1930s. ( He was born in 1903, and came to Colorado when he was 10 years old). I wonder if the RRB existed then or did it come into existence around 1936 when Social Security did. I have no idea when he worked for the railroad. Were you able to give them the dates that your father-in-law worked, and was it after 1937? I guess there is no telephone number I can call?
Thanks,
Emilie
----- Original Message -----
From: papagaia2
To: general@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 10:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Nuestros Ranchos] Railroad Retirement Board
Emilie, Arturo and All,
In July 1995 I contacted the RRB explaining that I was involved in a
genealogical project and requested all vital records that they had on file
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Pat,
Thank you so much for that very useful information. Having all of that employment information must be extremely valuable.
Emilie, et al...
The RRB came into existence in 1934. The National Archives actually has a lot of their early records and may be an easier way to obtain some of that information than the RRB. From my experience, Federal government agencies will not consider FOIA requests via phone, and given that proof of death would be required for this type of request, I imagine that a letter is the only way to go...
http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/184.html
But just in case, their number is Chicago is:
Telephone: (312) 751-7139
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Arturo,
You're very welcome. Nice to know that maybe I have helped someone with
their search.
Pat
----- Original Message -----
From: "arturoramos"
To:
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2007 6:57 AM
Subject: [Nuestros Ranchos] Railroad Retirement Board History and Records
>
> Pat,
>
> Thank you so much for that very useful information. Having all of that
> employment information must be extremely valuable.
>
> Emilie, et al...
>
> The RRB came into existence in 1934. The National Archives actually has a
> lot of their early records and may be an easier way to obtain some of that
> information than the RRB. From my experience, Federal government agencies
> will not consider FOIA requests via phone, and given that proof of death
> would be required for this type of request, I imagine that a letter is the
> only way to go...
>
> http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/184.html
>
> But just in case, their number is Chicago is:
>
> Telephone: (312) 751-7139
>
> http:/
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Emilie,
Included in the photo copy package that I received from the RRB was a copy
of a form titled "Employee's Statement of Compensated Service Rendered
Prior to Jan 1, 1937, to Employers Under The Railroad Retirement Act of
1937, it stated "Under the RR Act of 1937 service prior to Jan 1, 1937, can
be credited toward an annuity only for individuals who on August 29, 1935,
were in the active compensated service of or in an employment relation to an
employer under that Act. Only such individuals should fill out this form."
My father-in-law completed this form, with time worked for Southern Pacific
Co. from Oct 1929 and indicated that he was still employed as of the date he
completed this form on May 1939.
His earnings from Oct 1929 - Dec. 1936 were verified by the RRB and listed
by month on the "Record of Employee's Prior Service," form.
He had also completed a form for time worked for "The Atchison Topeka &
Santa Fe RY Co. (Coast Lines), supplying dates of 1922 -
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Pat,
Thanks so much for the information. The 1920 and 1930 censuses list my father's occupation as "laborer" or "general farm", so I don't know when he worked for the railroad. I think they had all that info on your father-in-law because he received benefits from the RRB. Since my father did not receive RRB benefits, they may not have a record of when he worked for the railroad, but I will send in my request anyway since I would like to have any information they might have, like you say, that would add to his legacy and flesh out his life before I was born. I haven't had any luck in finding anything on him and his mother or sister, not even in Jerez since their birth and baptism records are lost there. I was able to trace his paternal side clear back to the early 1700s, but I can't find a thing on my father or his mother or his only sibling, his sister.
Thanks again,
Emilie
----- Original Message -----
From: papagaia2
To: general@nuestrosranchos.org
Sent: Friday
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Railroad Retirement Board