Make Helping Unclaimed Persons Your 2011 Genealogy Resolution

I've written about this topic before, but it bears repeating.

If you're a genealogist who's interested in helping others, doing more with your research skills than digging into your own family's past, and pushing your sleuthing talents to new levels, I can't think of a better way than volunteering for Unclaimed Persons.

If you're new to this concept, here's an introduction from the group's website, Unclaimed Persons:

"It's a quiet but disturbing epidemic. People are going to their graves with no family to claim them. Medical examiners and coroners' offices -- frequently overstretched with burgeoning case loads -- are turning to an unexpected resource for help. Over 400 genealogists are now offering their volunteer services to help locate the next of kin for unclaimed persons. And it's working. To date, 208 cases have been solved through this unusual partnership."

Four hundred volunteers might sound like more than enough, but it's not. As you might imagine, with current economic conditions, this epidemic is reaching new levels at the same time budgets are being slashed. More and more coroners are turning to Unclaimed Persons for assistance, and now, Unclaimed Persons is asking for your help.

Please go to Unclaimed Persons and request to join. The research is done in a private Facebook group to allow for more open discussion on individual cases. You'll be asked to read a set of guidelines and agree to abide by them, and then you'll be welcomed. After that, the choice is yours whether to observe for a while or jump in on a recently posted case.

So as you make your 2011 genealogical resolutions -- finding out what happened to that mysterious great-grandfather or jumping into the world of genetic genealogy -- please consider adding Unclaimed Persons to the list. The 2012 you will be glad you did.

 

 

 

Follow Megan Smolenyak on Twitter: www.twitter.com/megansmolenyak

Comments

[DenaRider]

01:34 PM on 01/15/2011

Megan,
I am so enjoying trying to find out what I can find on different cases.
Dena

[CeCe Moore]

11:01 PM on 01/01/2011

This is great, Megan! Thanks for making me aware of this great opportunity to put my sleuthing skills to work for a good cause.

[Megan Smolenyak]

09:11 AM on 01/03/2011

Hey CeCe, So glad you joined! The group can certainly use your help!

[HappyDae]

09:32 PM on 01/01/2011

It is certainly a worthy cause. I've a step-grandfather missing for over 60 years and would have liked to know what became of him, death date and whereabouts, etc. Very admirable project!

Happy Dae·
http://ShoeStringGenealogy.com

[Megan Smolenyak]

09:13 AM on 01/03/2011

Thanks so much, HappyDae. As you well know, genealogists are generous folks. It's amazing how many have volunteered just since this article was published. Here's hoping fewer families will be left wondering as you are about your step-grandfather.

[MaryfromIL]

03:32 AM on 01/01/2011

If people cannot afford cremation, it's free to donate your body to a medical school. but you must do the paperwork before death.

[khborges]

01:04 PM on 12/31/2010

Thanks Megan, for all you do in helping those who no longer have a voice to find their way home! They are somebody's sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, spouses and parents...

[Megan Smolenyak]

01:26 PM on 12/31/2010

Exactly, Katherine. All 400+ help save these families from having to wonder for the rest of their lives. Am delighted with the new volunteers today!