FOIA/PA requests from FBI

NOTE BY HUNTER BEAR:

Like many of us, I receive requests for assistance of various kinds.
Assuming they are OK, I try to be as obliging as possible.  This one is from
a Finnish American [I have removed his name], seeking info on Finns in the
New England radical and labor movements.  Note that, among other things, I
suggest he use FOIA/PA to secure his father's FBI file[s] or, if his father
still lives, he can assist his Dad [if necessary] in preparing the request.
It took me years but, eventually, I got over 3,000 pages of my files -- not
counting hundreds of pages they refuse to provide [on grounds of national
security.]  I was listed on Section A of the Reserve Index, Security Index,
and Rabble Rouser Index.  The files went from the mid-50s deep into 1979.
There is probably more, but it's all pretty dull.

Anyway, I give the points that should be included in an FOIA/PA letter to
FBI. [That is the primary reason for my sending this around.]

Eldri, of course, is substantially Finnish and Saami [Lapp], with some
Norwegian.

H

  ----- Original Message -----
  From:
  To: hunterbadbear@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 3:28 PM
  Subject: Finns and social justice


  I am impressed on yourknowledge about the Finnish-American Labor
movements. Do you have any information about the New England Finns. My
grandfather   had a role in getting people to go to Karelia Russia in the
30"s. Our family did not go but do to political activities my father lost
his job at MIT during the Red Scare , many people my family knew were to use
a bad phrase "black listed" lost jobs etc. I wouldlove to get my hands on an
FBI list.

FROM HUNTER BEAR:

Good to hear from you.  Traditionally, there were and are a fair number of
Finns in Maine and even more in Massachusetts.  The State Historical
societies in each may have some data.  Maine's is at Augusta -- I am not
sure about that of Mass.

Two books are good for general background:

Reino Nikolai Hannula  BLUEBERRY GOD:  THE EDUCATION OF A FINNISH AMERICAN
[Quality Hill Books: San Luis Obispo, California, 1979]  Probably still in
print.

Michael G Karni et al  FOR THE COMMON GOOD: FINNISH IMMIGRANTS AND THE
RADICAL RESPONSE TO INDUSTRIAL AMERICA [Tyomies Society:  Superior,
Wisconsin. 1977.]  Covers first part of 20th century.   If this book is not
in print, it could be secured via InterLibrary Loan.

This link might be useful:

http://www.genealogia.org/indexe.htm

You could write to Federal Bureau of Investigation, Attn:  FOIA/PA,
Washington DC  20535 and, assuming your father is deceased, ask for copies
of all documents they have relating to your father.  [If he is still alive,
he could write or at least sign the letter.]  The statutes are Freedom Of
Information Act and Privacy Act.

In any case, the letter should give a short bio of your father, basic places
and dates of residence and work, his Social Security Number, and should
express his or your willingness to pay copying costs.  This initial letter
has to be notarized.  Include relevant phone numbers.  It helps to put in
the subject or subjects of FBI "interest" [e.g., alleged "Communism" or
whatever.]

If you are making the request directly, give your name and address, SS# and
telephone[s], and indicate you want all documents relating to your father
and that you are willing to pay copying costs.  Again, give all basic info
relating to your father.  Attach something, such as a newspaper obit or copy
of a death certificate, indicating he has died.  Be prepared for long waits
and blackouts.  Again, this initial request has to be notarized.

If someone still lives, only that person can get their FBI documents.  Once
they have passed away, anyone can.

Hope this  is helpful.  Get back to me with any questions.

Best - Hunter Bear


HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR]
www.hunterbear.org

When you cut to the bone  and cut away the college degrees, academic and
other titles, published books and articles, ours is essentially a working
class and Indian family.  We consistently join unions  -- and we always
support them with the greatest vigor.

It's critical to always keep fighting -- and to always remember that, if one
lives with grace, he/she should be prepared to die with grace.






"[C]apital comes dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and 
dirt."
--Marx, Capital, Vol. 1, Chapter 31

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