Reclaim The Records
@reclaimtherecords.org
Cheerfully introducing government agencies, archives, and libraries to Freedom of Information laws since 2015.
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
@reclaimtherecords.org , I wish you every success in your lawsuit again the VA which is now refusing to fulfill FOIA requests. I got in my request about my father in WW2 probably on July 8. It is already more than half through October, and I haven't even received a denial.
October 19, 2025 at 8:47 AM
@reclaimtherecords.org , I wish you every success in your lawsuit again the VA which is now refusing to fulfill FOIA requests. I got in my request about my father in WW2 probably on July 8. It is already more than half through October, and I haven't even received a denial.
What's a #FOIA Appeal? What's some good language to use when you want to argue with the government about why they should be giving you the file you asked for, instead of some "genealogy letter"?
We got you covered, fam. Check out our advice in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
We got you covered, fam. Check out our advice in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
October 21, 2025 at 3:19 AM
What's a #FOIA Appeal? What's some good language to use when you want to argue with the government about why they should be giving you the file you asked for, instead of some "genealogy letter"?
We got you covered, fam. Check out our advice in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
We got you covered, fam. Check out our advice in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
✊ Always Appeal! ✊
Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back!
Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!
Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back!
Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!
Search the BIRLS Database - over 19.5 million records about deceased US veterans, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, now online and FREE from Reclaim The Records
Search the BIRLS Database - over 19.5 million records about deceased US veterans, from the US Department of Veterans Affairs, now online and FREE from Reclaim The Records
BIRLS.org
October 21, 2025 at 3:15 AM
✊ Always Appeal! ✊
Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back!
Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!
Did the VA refuse to send you a full copy of a C-File (claims file) that you requested under #FOIA for a deceased veteran? Well, we now have some attorney-approved sample texts you can use to fight back!
Check out BIRLS.org/appeals for the latest!
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory The US Veterans Admin sent an almost empty page in response to FOIA request for Dad's military/health records (WWII service). @reclaimtherecords.org recommends appealing & my appeal is complicated by my nameless birth cert climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2025/09/appe...
Appealing the VA's Skinny Extract of Dad's Claims File
Genealogy research and commentary by Marian Burk Wood, speaker and author of "Planning a Future for Your Family's Past," available from Amazon.com.
climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com
September 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM
#Genealogy #FamilyHistory The US Veterans Admin sent an almost empty page in response to FOIA request for Dad's military/health records (WWII service). @reclaimtherecords.org recommends appealing & my appeal is complicated by my nameless birth cert climbingmyfamilytree.blogspot.com/2025/09/appe...
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
Just re requested my grandfather's files with my mother so she can easily appeal the denial as next of kin. I just really want to know what they wrote when he went missing in France and then when they found him in England thanks to my Grandma getting a letter from him.
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
September 1, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Just re requested my grandfather's files with my mother so she can easily appeal the denial as next of kin. I just really want to know what they wrote when he went missing in France and then when they found him in England thanks to my Grandma getting a letter from him.
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
I received numerous denials in the mail recently, which made me absolutely livid. I will absolutely appeal if able.
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
September 1, 2025 at 1:19 AM
I received numerous denials in the mail recently, which made me absolutely livid. I will absolutely appeal if able.
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
I finally had my FOIA fulfilled for my great grandfather, only for it to be bare bones textual genealogical information and not scans of his WWI file. Waiting for the language to understand how I can best appeal.
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
August 31, 2025 at 11:58 PM
I finally had my FOIA fulfilled for my great grandfather, only for it to be bare bones textual genealogical information and not scans of his WWI file. Waiting for the language to understand how I can best appeal.
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
Got one of these FOIA denials in response to records for my and @kneld.bsky.social’s grandfather’s files. Ready to appeal!
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
August 31, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Got one of these FOIA denials in response to records for my and @kneld.bsky.social’s grandfather’s files. Ready to appeal!
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
August 31, 2025 at 11:46 PM
NEW: We just published 1.5 million NEW BIRLS records for 2020-2023, ALL FREE -- but now the VA doesn't want you to see any of them!
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Read all about it in our latest newsletter:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
First we fight and win a four year public records lawsuit, but *then* we really get to work making the data free and usable...
*cracks knuckles, goes back to coding*
*cracks knuckles, goes back to coding*
August 26, 2025 at 1:17 AM
First we fight and win a four year public records lawsuit, but *then* we really get to work making the data free and usable...
*cracks knuckles, goes back to coding*
*cracks knuckles, goes back to coding*
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
Czech immigrant ancestral village search success story thanks to @reclaimtherecords.org helping get the NYC vital record images published.
From all US records, only an 1878 birth record showed the birth locations of the parents. Kuttenberg is the German exonym for Kutna Hora.
#Genealogy #Czech
From all US records, only an 1878 birth record showed the birth locations of the parents. Kuttenberg is the German exonym for Kutna Hora.
#Genealogy #Czech
August 20, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Czech immigrant ancestral village search success story thanks to @reclaimtherecords.org helping get the NYC vital record images published.
From all US records, only an 1878 birth record showed the birth locations of the parents. Kuttenberg is the German exonym for Kutna Hora.
#Genealogy #Czech
From all US records, only an 1878 birth record showed the birth locations of the parents. Kuttenberg is the German exonym for Kutna Hora.
#Genealogy #Czech
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
Received my first C-File yesterday! Had requested via @reclaimtherecords.org on Dec 28 & had received notice that file would be coming on Feb 25. Some info redacted in case ppl still living. Was not expecting much for this vet but still got a few new insights. Waiting on 3 more. 🙂
July 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Received my first C-File yesterday! Had requested via @reclaimtherecords.org on Dec 28 & had received notice that file would be coming on Feb 25. Some info redacted in case ppl still living. Was not expecting much for this vet but still got a few new insights. Waiting on 3 more. 🙂
We just got notice that a Freedom of Information request we made for a certain state's vital records index in August 2020, heard as a contested case in August 2021, was finally decided in our favor...
That's nearly five years. FIVE YEARS! 😤
But we won. New data coming soon. 😊
That's nearly five years. FIVE YEARS! 😤
But we won. New data coming soon. 😊
July 30, 2025 at 9:29 PM
We just got notice that a Freedom of Information request we made for a certain state's vital records index in August 2020, heard as a contested case in August 2021, was finally decided in our favor...
That's nearly five years. FIVE YEARS! 😤
But we won. New data coming soon. 😊
That's nearly five years. FIVE YEARS! 😤
But we won. New data coming soon. 😊
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
APG has issued a letter to the Mayor of Washington, D.C., urging the reinstatement of funding for the planned DC State Archives building. This vital project protects historical records & supports ongoing research efforts. www.apgen.org/docs/3_June_...
June 20, 2025 at 8:00 PM
APG has issued a letter to the Mayor of Washington, D.C., urging the reinstatement of funding for the planned DC State Archives building. This vital project protects historical records & supports ongoing research efforts. www.apgen.org/docs/3_June_...
OUR BILL PASSED the New York State Assembly yesterday -- UNANIMOUSLY! 🤩
It's still not a done deal yet. It has to go to the governor, and be signed, and not have last-minute line-item edits or a veto.
But we are now SO much closer to reforming New York's vital records access!
It's still not a done deal yet. It has to go to the governor, and be signed, and not have last-minute line-item edits or a veto.
But we are now SO much closer to reforming New York's vital records access!
a cartoon drawing of a man wearing a shirt that says law .
ALT: a cartoon drawing of a man wearing a shirt that says law .
media.tenor.com
June 14, 2025 at 7:45 PM
OUR BILL PASSED the New York State Assembly yesterday -- UNANIMOUSLY! 🤩
It's still not a done deal yet. It has to go to the governor, and be signed, and not have last-minute line-item edits or a veto.
But we are now SO much closer to reforming New York's vital records access!
It's still not a done deal yet. It has to go to the governor, and be signed, and not have last-minute line-item edits or a veto.
But we are now SO much closer to reforming New York's vital records access!
UPDATE: The proposed state bill we're supporting to put millions of scanned-and-indexed older New York vital records online PASSED the NYS Senate today, 50-9!
Now it needs to go through the Assembly...
You can subscribe to the bill's progress here:
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...
Now it needs to go through the Assembly...
You can subscribe to the bill's progress here:
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...
a close up of a cat 's face with the words ( heavy breathing ) below it .
Alt: a close up of a cat 's face with the words ( heavy breathing ) below it .
media.tenor.com
June 12, 2025 at 9:43 PM
UPDATE: The proposed state bill we're supporting to put millions of scanned-and-indexed older New York vital records online PASSED the NYS Senate today, 50-9!
Now it needs to go through the Assembly...
You can subscribe to the bill's progress here:
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...
Now it needs to go through the Assembly...
You can subscribe to the bill's progress here:
www.nysenate.gov/legislation/...
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
When Reclaim the Records shows up, institutions should save themselves the time and money and just give them the records. RTC is going to win. #genealogy
Ahem. The latest issue of our newsletter is finally out. It's a big one.
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
June 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
When Reclaim the Records shows up, institutions should save themselves the time and money and just give them the records. RTC is going to win. #genealogy
Here's the official video of our intrepid attorney-by-day (and genealogist-by-night) Michael Moritz bravely arguing (and winning!) our case at the New York State Court of Appeals, in case you want to see an episode of "Law and Order: Special Genealogy Unit".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFf...
No. 49 Matter of Reclaim the Records v NYSDOH
YouTube video by New York State Court Of Appeals
www.youtube.com
May 31, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Here's the official video of our intrepid attorney-by-day (and genealogist-by-night) Michael Moritz bravely arguing (and winning!) our case at the New York State Court of Appeals, in case you want to see an episode of "Law and Order: Special Genealogy Unit".
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFf...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEFf...
Ahem. The latest issue of our newsletter is finally out. It's a big one.
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reclaim The Records
We’re Reclaim The Records, a new not-for-profit activist group of genealogists, historians, researchers, and open government advocates. We identify important genealogical records sets that ought to be...
mailchi.mp
May 31, 2025 at 4:56 AM
Ahem. The latest issue of our newsletter is finally out. It's a big one.
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
WE WON THE FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX, THE WHOLE THING, 1880-2017, WE BEAT THE LARGEST GOVERNMENT AGENCY IN NEW YORK AND WE'RE SETTING MORE THAN TEN MILLION RECORDS FREEEEEE
Read all about it:
mailchi.mp/reclaimthere...
Reposted by Reclaim The Records
Another amazing victory for @reclaimtherecords.org - and, of course, all genealogists! 👏👏👏
You guys...? We did it. 🥰
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
The FULL New York State Death Index, 1880-2017 - Reclaim The Records
www.reclaimtherecords.org
May 30, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Another amazing victory for @reclaimtherecords.org - and, of course, all genealogists! 👏👏👏
You guys...? We did it. 🥰
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
The FULL New York State Death Index, 1880-2017 - Reclaim The Records
www.reclaimtherecords.org
May 29, 2025 at 6:38 PM
You guys...? We did it. 🥰
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
We won the FULL NEW YORK STATE DEATH INDEX FOR 1880-2017!
We beat the largest government agency in the state of New York (@nysdoh.bsky.social), in the highest court of the state, through a Freedom of Information Law (#FOIL) suit.
www.reclaimtherecords.org/records-requ...
big big big news that's been YEARS in the making
and tomorrow's the day when we're finally going to tell you guys all about it
but for tonight, enjoy a little hint (lawyer-approved) 😊
and tomorrow's the day when we're finally going to tell you guys all about it
but for tonight, enjoy a little hint (lawyer-approved) 😊
May 29, 2025 at 4:29 AM
big big big news that's been YEARS in the making
and tomorrow's the day when we're finally going to tell you guys all about it
but for tonight, enjoy a little hint (lawyer-approved) 😊
and tomorrow's the day when we're finally going to tell you guys all about it
but for tonight, enjoy a little hint (lawyer-approved) 😊
We know you've all been oh-so-patiently waiting for our promised press release about that "big case that we won".
But look, we didn't want to send it out right before a three-day weekend!
Hang on, very good news is coming soon. 😎
But look, we didn't want to send it out right before a three-day weekend!
Hang on, very good news is coming soon. 😎
May 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
We know you've all been oh-so-patiently waiting for our promised press release about that "big case that we won".
But look, we didn't want to send it out right before a three-day weekend!
Hang on, very good news is coming soon. 😎
But look, we didn't want to send it out right before a three-day weekend!
Hang on, very good news is coming soon. 😎
We just got big news in our biggest-ever lawsuit. 😳
AND IT’S GOOOOOOOD
press release dropping soon
AND IT’S GOOOOOOOD
press release dropping soon
May 22, 2025 at 5:14 PM
We just got big news in our biggest-ever lawsuit. 😳
AND IT’S GOOOOOOOD
press release dropping soon
AND IT’S GOOOOOOOD
press release dropping soon
Another update! The bill we helped develop and are supporting, to get scanned New York State historical records PUT ONLINE, to enshrine the indices as OPEN under state #FOIL, and to ENSURE access to historic records is moving! More progress!
assembly.ny.gov/leg/?default...
assembly.ny.gov/leg/?default...
Bill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly
News and Information from the New York State Assembly
assembly.ny.gov
May 20, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Another update! The bill we helped develop and are supporting, to get scanned New York State historical records PUT ONLINE, to enshrine the indices as OPEN under state #FOIL, and to ENSURE access to historic records is moving! More progress!
assembly.ny.gov/leg/?default...
assembly.ny.gov/leg/?default...