The FBI Of  The 1930s! 

"You could spend hours at this website!"  A Smith/Wesson forum member

Our main website on the FBI and the Agents of the 1930s is shown below but keep in touch with our blog here!  Add your email address so you don't forget.

Visit:   http://historicalgmen.squarespace.com



Note: Larry Wack is a retired Special Agent of the FBI, serving 28 years. He is not a spokesman for the FBI, or any of its affiliate organizations or The Society Of Former Special Agents of The FBI, Inc. The above website is not an official FBI website and is personally owned.  We do not sell or give away email addresses or other data.  

Copyright 2013, Larry Wack - All Rights Reserved

Looking For Grandfather's FBI File?

Many FBI families looking into their past relatives with the Bureau are not aware that they can easily make application to the Bureau for a copy of the employee's personnel file.  Actually, you don't even have to be a relative to file the request.  All of the files are available under the Freedom Of Information Act of the early 80s.  

Because I've had multiple questions in this regard, I've done up an information sheet that tells you how to do it, where to file and what to say.  Processing times are there too!

Want a copy?  All you have to do is email me through our website (shown up top) and we'll send you a copy! 

larry wack 

Watch Out! Family Lore & Thrilling Stories

Some months back I was contacted by the granddaughter of one of the members of the Dillinger Squad.  It's only one of many that I've had with families of the depression era's FBI.

Her story about "grand dad" came from her own father who of course was the brother of this agent and as we know, many of the stories are carried down from immediate family members.  The problem with this story is that her dad had either misinterpreted what his brother had done back in the 30s or had been told inaccurate stories from others.  As much as I hated to tell the young lady, the "Truth" of what her grandfather had done was not even close to what she had been told.

The story as relayed to me by her about grand dad shooting and killing Dillinger was exciting but the downside is, it simply wasn't true.  Her grandfather was present at the Biograph that night as an agent assigned to the Chicago FBI office.  However, statements by others present, coupled with the original sketch of where everyone was, and much more revealed her grandfather was not only not involved in the actual shooting, but wasn't in a position to shoot anyhow.  Unless of course everyone else there that night is wrong!  I don't think so......

Stories of exaggerated facts are common with history and families.  People are people and it happens; not done purposely.  Her's was no different than some others I've heard throughout the years.

My message here is simple:   Family stories, photos and documents are no doubt treasured pieces in a long ago puzzle that sometimes is pretty sketchy to say the least.  Many times, they provide the missing clues.  But be careful of these stories and check them with other relatives, family friends and local and Federal historical records if available.  See what other writers, researchers and the like have said about the subject and/or your relative's participation.  

If you're serious about your family's role in history, make sure it's accurate!