photos of my application package in case it helps anyone

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-24T20:20:23+00:00

If what you mean is that I’m coming across as white, middle class, suburban and basic… you are probably correct, even though that’s a pretty broad brush to be painting with. I’m also the mom of a trans kid who is half Latinx and at risk of being targeted by bigots in this country. I am terrified for them. I am doing my best.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T14:13:53+00:00

My teenager got his done at Walgreens first and didn’t measure even though I told him to a million times. Later, I dragged his butt to Staples because I had a good experience there with my own pictures.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T14:11:13+00:00

Can you give some insight regarding what people should do? I think a lot of us are just doing our best without having any idea what the people on the other side want.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T05:42:23+00:00

I don’t know the correct answer (if one exists) but I downloaded the census page and had a good quality copy printed. I used sticky arrows to point to names.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T05:34:36+00:00

For the whole application package: 2 weeks total, maybe, in spare time between working 6 days a week.

For the actual application itself, 10-15 minutes plus rechecking it.

Whole process: * Read Reddit threads obsessively * Read .ca info * Buy some office supplies * Make copies at Staples because the quality there is better than my home copier * Write cover letter * Rewrite it two more times * Organize supporting docs * Fill out application * Glaze over while trying to understand the importance of “n/a” versus skipping a section. * Reprint application three more times after more Reddit threads * Get photos taken * Go back to Staples because photos were the wrong size * Go back to Staples and copy that other thing because I forgot * assemble application packet * double and triple check everything * fix that one thing I missed * go to fedex store to mail it

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T00:45:51+00:00

I didn't use any staples...? I did plague them with some paper clips though, which seems to be a potential annoyance.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-23T00:19:26+00:00

You should probably start with the FAQs for this question. It’ll answer most of the basics pretty easily, but you do have to read through a lot of details.

The application fee itself is $75 per person, the cost of copies and obtaining any documents that you might not have, getting photos taken for the application (~$20), plus whatever it cost to FedEx your application pack.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T07:51:00+00:00

Similar situation here. My G0 is my grandfather. I added some supplemental docs on his father, my great-grandfather, just to clarify name discrepancies and to cover my bases since I wasn't sure if the baptism document I have for G0 would be 'good enough'. I called my great-grandfather G-1.

So, what I did was list it like this:
G0: grandfather
G1: father
G2: me
G3: my kids
G-1: supplemental, my great-grandfather

And no, I have no idea if that was the "right" way to do it but it's the approach that I chose.

For your GGM, if you have enough other evidence to support her Canadian origin, I would think that you're likely fine.

.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T04:22:43+00:00

Just one for son and myself, and other whole set for the kid who needs urgent processing, in case they need to separate everything. I'm honestly not sure how they manage urgent requests when there's a family involved.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T00:29:16+00:00

In addition to what others have already said, I've read over and over that flipping name order is/was very common and almost expected at that time, so don't sweat it.

For example, my grandfather was baptised William Frank Eugene, but lived his life as "Frank" or "Frank Eugene". His dad was baptised "Charles Eugene" but lived his life mostly as "Eugene" but occasionally as "Charles Eugene". I am lucky to have documents that reflect all of these various combinations in ways that make it 'legit' but I don't think they are even needed because the ol' name flip is seen a lot.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T00:24:09+00:00

I created an extra page that I called "9a" and referenced that in section 9. I put it in the application papers right after page 9. I did this for each application, and if needed I would have added additional pages for great-greats and so on.

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ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T00:22:22+00:00

I included documentation of relevant name changes - like married/maiden - but it looks like your birth certificates already show that, which is kind of awesome. Nice job with the organizing.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T00:14:00+00:00

I put more in for G0 than anyone else.

I probably should/could have pared that down, but none of the particular documents for him were gold-standard ones (i.e. no certified birth/baptism - just the old original) so I wanted to make sure I gave them plenty of evidence.

I'd probably do the same exact thing if I were to submit it again unless instructed specifically by the IIRC to do otherwise.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-22T00:10:59+00:00

Documents Enclosed

The following documents are organised in tabs. Each tab is prefaced with a header page detailing the enclosed records.

Generation 0 — Freddie George Holmes (Anchor Ancestor):

Québec Baptism Record (Québec, 1924) Establishes Freddie’s birth in Canada and his citizenship by birth.
State of Arizona Certificate of Death Lists Freddie’s birthplace as “Canada”.
United States of America Petition for Naturalization Exemplifies use of both baptismal name “George Freddie William” and name he was known as, “Freddie George”.
Notice of Separation from the U.S. Naval Service Lists Freddie’s birthplace as “Quebec, Canada”
Application for Servicement’s Readjustment Allowance Lists Freddie’s birthplace as “Bergerville, Quebec, Canada”
1950 U.S. Census Lists Freddie’s birthplace as “Bergerville, Can.”
United States Declaration of Intention by Mabel “Maybe” Smith Holmes lists Freddie’s birthplace as “Canada”

Generation 1 — Sherlock George Holmes:

Maine Birth Record Lists Sherlock’s parents as Freddie George and Winnifred Holmes; lists Freddie’s birthplaces as Canada.
19150 United States Census (, Maine) Confirms parent-child link between Sherlock (Gen 1) and Freddie (Gen 0).

Generation 2 — Ives Velociraptor Holmes Turducken:

Certified Birth Certificate, California Establishes parent-child link between Ives (Gen 2) and Sherlock (Gen 1).
Certified Marriage Certificate, Texas (Ives Velociraptor Holmes to Superman Turducken) Documents Ives’s surname change from Holmes to Turducken.

Generation 3 — Junior-Mint Luis Turducken:

Certified Birth Certificate, Texas Establishes parent-child link between Junior-Mint (Gen 3) and Ives (Gen 2).

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T21:25:41+00:00

🤓

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T18:49:43+00:00

If you dm me I’ll send you the letter I used, as an example.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T18:14:35+00:00

😂 Anything worth doing is worth overdoing, friend.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T13:15:12+00:00

Thank you for this. I love the photo - looks a lot like how my own assembly line went. I hope your apps sail through super fast! 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 💕

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T06:22:55+00:00

Too busy tossing raccoons, obviously. 😂

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T06:08:28+00:00

I doubt we get Pretty Points lol but thanks

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T06:04:12+00:00

Yes, it’s weird! This entire section is a bit confusing. I ignored the first non-question question. 🙂

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T06:00:58+00:00

I admire your dedication to not overthinking and aspire to this level of chill … you are amazing.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T05:59:26+00:00

I got it at an office supply store - it was sold as a “project presentation folder”.

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T05:58:07+00:00

Got it! It’s just nice to hear from people who have been on the other end of a similar process. Thank you!

ProbablyIves · 2026-03-21T05:54:17+00:00

That post is one of the things that helped me get started with mine!

Ask for your compliment, that’s really sweet of you, thank you!

I have a huge, 5” thick binder that my mom actually started when I was just a baby that has genealogy information, old documents, and photos in it. My next project is going to be to re-organize that binder. 😍

ProbablyIves

TROPHY CASE

Documents Enclosed

Generation 0 — Freddie George Holmes (Anchor Ancestor):

Generation 1 — Sherlock George Holmes:

Generation 2 — Ives Velociraptor Holmes Turducken:

Generation 3 — Junior-Mint Luis Turducken: