OK OK - Stephen “Steve” Lee Murphy, last seen in Claremore sometime in 1976, not reported missing until July 2022

[Snoangel26]

Hello, just someone who wants to help, only have a little info to offer and might be insignificant or doesn't apply to your situation but figured it might be worth mentioning. My father, who is close to 80 years old, is a veteran. He has encountered many issues dealing with VA affairs because when he enlisted he was only 16 and managed somehow to enlist with a different date of birth (making him appear as though he was 18 years old) This has caused him numerous problems throughout the years, as his SS# associated with his DOB doesn't match his VA records. Perhaps, your dad's records are difficult to locate for a similiar reason. I know you dont have his SS#, but was implying maybe his DOB could be off if he enlisted early like my dad.

That actually makes perfect sense. I wonder if he would make himself older than 18 to enlist.

 

[Laughing]

That actually makes perfect sense. I wonder if he would make himself older than 18 to enlist.

And, it is theoretically possible that the VA records clerk who sent that form letter -- hypothetically wasn't quite as thorough as the form letter implies in the records search, perhaps.

Old genealogist, who once found an ancestor's cousin's will & probate documents -- shuffled into the will & probate of said ancestor's brother.

So, yeah I want all of it and was happy to find it -- but the county claims that Cousin had no will, no estate, and no probate file.

That facility in St. Louis big. Still possible that information about Private Murphy is in there, someplace. Filed as Murry Stevens wouldn't surprise me.

Surely the detective or the congressional representative's staff will find something useful!

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[griss]

That facility in St. Louis big.

RSBM

And, don't forget, even though it was three years prior to 1976 there was a pretty large fire in the records center in July 1973. And though Steven's records likely were not directly effected by this, there could have been an impact to records (mis-filed, shuffled around, etc.) stored there after the fire.

The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Fire: A Study in Disaster Overview: On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).

www.archives.gov

I was only 5 at the time of this fire but, I know about it because my Grandfather's records (US Army Air Corps Glider Pilot in WWII) were lost in this fire. He passed away when my Mother was only 16 and almost never spoke about his time in the war. All we know is that he flew missions during Operation Market Garden and, possibly, D-Day.

 

[Snoangel26]

And, it is theoretically possible that the VA records clerk who sent that form letter -- hypothetically wasn't quite as thorough as the form letter implies in the records search, perhaps.

Old genealogist, who once found an ancestor's cousin's will & probate documents -- shuffled into the will & probate of said ancestor's brother.

So, yeah I want all of it and was happy to find it -- but the county claims that Cousin had no will, no estate, and no probate file.

That facility in St. Louis big. Still possible that information about Private Murphy is in there, someplace. Filed as Murry Stevens wouldn't surprise me.

Surely the detective or the congressional representative's staff will find something useful!

jmho ymmv lrr

I will continue to wait and of course search.

 

[carbuff]

Hypothetical question: if we were to find a lead that had some distressing context or a distressing outcome, how would you prefer we get the information to you? DM here on WS?

 

[Snoangel26]

Hypothetical question: if we were to find a lead that had some distressing context or a distressing outcome, how would you prefer we get the information to you? DM here on WS?

Welcome to DM or send me an email.

 

[Snoangel26]

The letter mentions the staff did extensive searches for any records about Steven. So I think they did consider different service branches

I've considered requesting the records again but extending his date of birth 10 days. I'll try anything. There is answers somewhere, I just need to dig them up.

 

[Snoangel26]

RSBM

And, don't forget, even though it was three years prior to 1976 there was a pretty large fire in the records center in July 1973. And though Steven's records likely were not directly effected by this, there could have been an impact to records (mis-filed, shuffled around, etc.) stored there after the fire.

The 1973 Fire, National Personnel Records Center

The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) Fire: A Study in Disaster Overview: On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF).

www.archives.gov

I was only 5 at the time of this fire but, I know about it because my Grandfather's records (US Army Air Corps Glider Pilot in WWII) were lost in this fire. He passed away when my Mother was only 16 and almost never spoke about his time in the war. All we know is that he flew missions during Operation Market Garden and, possibly, D-Day.

I don't discount misfiling. I just get frustrated with the same response from the archives. I believe they are there someplace. I'd like to go search the actual files myself.

 

[SimsGuy67]

I've considered requesting the records again but extending his date of birth 10 days. I'll try anything. There is answers somewhere, I just need to dig them up.

Just curious. How much do you know about Stephen? Do you have any way to search records of him other than the records you are looking into now? I know you know his D.O.B based on this but do you know anything else?

 

[SimsGuy67]

Just curious. How much do you know about Stephen? Do you have any way to search records of him other than the records you are looking into now? I know you know his D.O.B based on this but do you know anything else?

Sorry. The more I look the more I realise you have Ancestry. Nvm.

 

[Snoangel26]

Just curious. How much do you know about Stephen? Do you have any way to search records of him other than the records you are looking into now? I know you know his D.O.B based on this but do you know anything else?

I have his siblings names, with their DOB. I have his parents names with their DOB and DOD. I have his town, county, and state he was born in. Junior and high school he attended. The detective told me that Stephen has his prints on file for a juvenile incident. When Stephen got married his identity was verified with DL. I have no idea how to try to get that. I know that Stephen's mother worked at Eastern State Hospital, just not positive on the years.

 

[HmmMysterious]

I have his siblings names, with their DOB. I have his parents names with their DOB and DOD. I have his town, county, and state he was born in. Junior and high school he attended. The detective told me that Stephen has his prints on file for a juvenile incident. When Stephen got married his identity was verified with DL. I have no idea how to try to get that. I know that Stephen's mother worked at Eastern State Hospital, just not positive on the years.

How's the search for your dad's SSN going?

 

[SimsGuy67]

I have his siblings names, with their DOB. I have his parents names with their DOB and DOD. I have his town, county, and state he was born in. Junior and high school he attended. The detective told me that Stephen has his prints on file for a juvenile incident. When Stephen got married his identity was verified with DL. I have no idea how to try to get that. I know that Stephen's mother worked at Eastern State Hospital, just not positive on the years.

Good to know. I pray that either he's still alive or you get some answers. True his filed D.L.C is 1976 right? By looking at this thread it seems he survived until at least the 80s right? I think Stephen is out there somewhere. I hope he sees this. I will also do anything I can to help you find out where he is or what happened to him.

 

[Snoangel26]

Good to know. I pray that either he's still alive or you get some answers. True his filed D.L.C is 1976 right? By looking at this thread it seems he survived until at least the 80s right? I think Stephen is out there somewhere. I hope he sees this. I will also do anything I can to help you find out where he is or what happened to him.

Thank you. Being as he was discharged in 1984, I would assume he was alive at least til then. According to the marriage license both him and my mother identity was verified with driver license. They got married June 1975. According to the divorce papers they split May 1976 and she had to put it in the paper for a divorce and that was in 1980.

 

[Snoangel26]

How's the search for your dad's SSN going?

Not so well. I don't know where else to search to get his SSN.

 

[Laughing]

I don't discount misfiling. I just get frustrated with the same response from the archives. I believe they are there someplace. I'd like to go search the actual files myself.

You know I'd go with you!!! Research Road Trip, haven't taken one in years. Excellent cause.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[OddOneOut]

Not so well. I don't know where else to search to get his SSN.

Do you have your mother's SSN? Both SSNs would be on any tax return they filed. Even if filing Married but Filing Separately both SSNs should be on her return. There might be a way to get a transcript of their/her return.

 

[OddOneOut]

Did they ever own any property? SSN should be on any mortgage/loan paperwork.

 

[Snoangel26]

Do you have your mother's SSN? Both SSNs would be on any tax return they filed. Even if filing Married but Filing Separately both SSNs should be on her return. There might be a way to get a transcript of their/her return.

How is it possible to gather information? I do have my mother's SSN and my mother is still living.

 

[Snoangel26]

Did they ever own any property? SSN should be on any mortgage/loan paperwork.

I am not aware that they owned any property. I'm sure the house they lived in when I was born was rented.