Over a four-month period, I submitted 13 requests for veterans' records and quickly received one "no info found" letter, followed by 11 "yes info found" acknowledgements. Still awaiting word on one request, neither acknowledged nor denied. No further communication from the VA. Until earlier this week.
New "skinny" extract format
Finally I received what I now know is the new, skinny file extract format that the Veterans Administration will be issuing instead of sending full pdf files of each veteran. As shown in the image at top, the extract recaps name, birth/death dates, Social Security number (which I blacked out), and the enlistment/release date of the veterans, along with which military branch. This is for an in-law in my hubby's family tree.
Another page or two included marriage date (but no spouse info), parents' names, and other so-called genealogical information. Nothing about the rank of the vet or the unit or any service details such as where stationed. A really skinny extract, to say the least, compared to what may actually be in the veteran's file. I'm not happy.
What now?
Reclaim the Records explains the background behind this unexpected and frustrating change from furnishing full pdf files to extracting selected info. Read all about it here.
Reading their advice, it seems I will have solid grounds for appealing when my father's skinny extract shows up in the future, because I am clearly next of kin (and I can prove it). I would like to see his full file, not a few measly details pulled from it.
Meanwhile, Reclaim the Records is formulating a robust response and will determine its next steps within weeks. Stay tuned!
PS: I just received two more FOIA responses...these were even more skeletal, bare bones at best. "Information is not a matter of record" is the reason stated for lack of birth certificate details, parents' names, spouse's name, etc. Not happy.
PPS: Most recent responses have even less detail, if that's possible. Date of entry into service but no release date. Not even the branch of service. The latest response had nothing at all, no information at all--not even name of the service member. Ridiculous.
I only requested one file back in December and have never heard a word from them. I don't have much hope that I will get anything. Thanks for writing about your first-hand experience. Hopefully Reclaim the Records will be victorious once more in the future.
ReplyDeleteI just got one today. Looks just like yours. The letter explained they extract only "genealogical" information. Thank you for your explanation. Mine is for my grandfather. I know he visited VA hospitals after the service, as I have some papers in his file.
ReplyDeleteDisappointing
ReplyDeleteWow, that is just awful. I've not heard of this happening in Canada...certainly the WWI files have been complete - often close to 50 pages with no redactions. Hope RtR's appeal will be successful.
ReplyDeleteI have received a few of these measly reports. I am also very disappointed, but thanks for the link to the RtR post. Somehow I had missed that.
ReplyDeleteGiven that this is a federal record, and given the current administration, I am not the least bit surprised. Thanks for the heads-up. I'm not optimistic Reclaim the Records will have much success fighting this, at least for the next three-and-a-half years.
ReplyDelete