Looking for anyone who might have information on a Claude S. Peters. He was born May 3, 1896 and died Feb 2, 1957 in Umatilla County. I do not know the town or district where he died. He is buried at the Willamette National Cemetery. He was a Navy Veteran of WW1 having served from Jun 5, 1917 until Dec 23, 1919. He has a death certificate on file from Umatilla County certificate #2348. I have tried to order on-line, but the city is required and I don't have that information. Also, since he died in 1957, I understand that there is a restriction on deaths less the 50 years ago.

My interest in this Claude Peters is because he may by my father's long lost brother. Our Claude Stanton Peters was born according to Bible records on May 3, 1895 in Carter County, Tennessee. Claude appears in the 1920 Mahoning county census at age 23. The last our family heard from Claude was around 1924. He was still in the Youngstown, Ohio area. The similarities with the Claude S. Peters above is so close to our Claude that I can't help but believe that he may be our long lost kin. Our Claude was also a veteran of WWI and was in the Navy.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. If I could figure out how to get his death certificate, it might list his parents.

Does anyone know if there is or use to be a VA Hospital in the vicinity of Umatilla County, Oregon?

Regards Steve Peters sspeter2@bellsouth.net

Dear Steve,

It is true that there is a 50 year rule in Oregon, however a direct family member can be exempt from that rule. Have you tried writing to Oregon vital records directly?

Oregon Center for Health Statistics, Vital Records
800 NE Oregon Street, Suite 205
P.O. Box 14050
Portland, OR 97293-0050
Tel: 503-731-4095 (Recorded message-how to order)
503-731-4108 (To order by phone)
Fax: 503-234-8817 (To order by fax)

Include the fact that you are related to the decendant.
Another option for you-contact Willamette National Cemetery and ask them which funeral home took care of Claude. The funeral home will have all the information regarding the deceased-much more than a death certificate (usually).

Willamette National Cemetery Entrance: north of Mt.Scott Blvd. on SE 112th Avenue, Portland, OR (mail address: 11800 SE Mt. Scott Blvd, Portland, OR 97266) 503-273-5250

As to your question regarding the VA hospital...the major VA hospital serving the region in Eastern Oregon was in Walla Walla Washington.

Another source of information is to contact the East Oregonian and ask where you can obtain an obituary for him...since you have his date of death. The East Oregonian is a Pendleton paper, but do publish obituaries from around the county.

How to Contact us:

211 S.E. Byers
Pendleton, OR 97801

333 E. Main St.
Hermiston, OR 97838

541) 276-2211 - Pendleton
(541) 567-6211 - Hermiston
1 (800) 522-0255 - Toll-Free

I hope this helps with your search! If not, let me know and I will try to find some other sources for you.
Laura