A man named William Sebek, last known address 21-66 36th St. Astoria,
Queens, New York City, died between June 1 and June 6, 1942. 
Circumstances suggest that he may have met foul play.  He had been
indicted for graft by New York City, but he was possibly placed in a
legal vise in order to compel cooperation with Fiorello La Guardia's
prosecutors.  I would like to know the cause of William Sebek's death.
 This information could put to rest any question of foul play.

---

Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 01 Mar 2006 02:55 PST

Dear Kangeroo, 

Found your guy - he died in June 2, 1942, and was 34 years old.
However, this kind of things is not online: you have to order them
(they are usually on a microfilm and it would take some to copy it to
"normal" paper).

I can: 
(1) Refer you to the place where you can get (also through the mail)
copy of the death certificate. I have the death-certificate number.

(2)  I can tell you how to get the coroner's report - but I cannot
ensure that they'll have the record.

(3) I can refer you to several professional genealogists, that can do
that investigation.

Would that be suitable?

---

Clarification of Question by kangeroo-ga on 01 Mar 2006 06:49 PST

It's my understanding that death certificates are often not made
available to anyone who is not kin (I am not kin to Wm. Sebek), are
you confident that this would not be the case for me?  As for the
coroner's report, that sounds great.  Same with a genealogist.  Taken
together, yes, your suggestions are acceptable to me, assuming that a
death certificate can in fact be released.

---

Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 01 Mar 2006 09:52 PST

After reading the regulations, I am 99% sure that also without a court
order or being or kin, you can get these records for the purpose of
research. However, just to be on the safe side, I have contacted BYC
and they will get back to me (hopefully within the business day, but I
doubt it). Could you please wait for a day or two until I get a
confirmation?

---

Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 01 Mar 2006 09:52 PST

NYC, of course. 

Nothing to do with Brigham Young ;-)

---

Clarification of Question by kangeroo-ga on 01 Mar 2006 10:27 PST

Thank you for your prompt investigation, another day or few is not a problem!

Dear Kangeroo, 

An official answer given to me by the NYC Department of Records
confirms that you can get the death certificate of a person who's died
more than 50 years ago for the purpose of research/public interest
even if you're not kin to the deceased.

In order to do that, you have to obtain the death certificate from the
NYC Department of Records:
APPLICATION FOR A SEARCH AND/OR CERTIFIED COPY OF A DEATH RECORD BEFORE 1949 
<http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/vitalrecords/death.shtml>  

You should ask for the records of : 
Sebek   	William   	
Age: 34 y 
Died on:  June   	2   	1942   	
Certificate No.: 11765   	
Borough: Manhattan   	
Soundex: S120 

(See the last record on: 
Italian Gen 0 NYC Death Index Results
<http://www.italiangen.org/NYCDeathresults.asp?kind=exact&Esurname=sebek&Efirst=&StartYear=&EndYear=&County=M&B1=Submit>
)

The certificate number here is the important detail. 

You can use this form when you want to order to certificate's copy online: 
Request a Certified Copy Online 
<http://www.nyc.gov/dorforms/deathcert.jsp> 

As for the coroner's/medical examiner's report, it might be available.
My source at the NYC Archive has recommended to approach the medical
examiner's office after obtaining the death certificate:

Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 
attn:  Medical Records, 
520 First Avenue, 
New York, NY  10016

As I've promised, here are a few details of people conducting
genealogical research for a fee. I cannot attest (nor edorse) any of
these, they are for general information:

Bill Madon
<http://www.treesearch.com/> 

Cindy's List: Professional Researchers, Volunteers & Other Research Services
<http://www.cyndislist.com/ny.htm#Professional> 

Professional Genealogists and Genealogy Research Services for
Northeastern United States
<http://genealogypro.com/directories/USA-NE.html> 

I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. Search strategy:
- Found the certificate number on the Italian en site; 
- Found out regarding regulations by contacting the NYC Dept. of Records. 
- Internet search (terms such as [NYC "death certificate"])

William Sebek was ethnically Italian, whodathunkit!?

Kangeroo, 

First of all, thank you for the rating and the tip. 

I am not sure about him being ethnically Italian. This site lists ALL
death certificates, for the benefit of those investigating their
heritage. I am sure that you'll find there a number of Rosenbaum and
Smith as well.

If I may note so myself, this story was featured in the New York Times
(with a credit to Google Answers, thank you!):

Daughter Seeks Sins of Father: Are There Any?
By MONICA DAVEY
NYT, October 13, 2006
<://www.google.com/search?lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=Daughter%20Seeks%20Sins%20of%20Father%3A%20Are%20There%20Any%3F>

This story really deserves a book, I am looking forward into reading it.

Congratulations Poly Guru!

It must feel good to know you've helped someone unravel a family mystery.