Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Miscellaneous/2013 April 30

= April 30 =

law
I need a template to respond a legal motion — Preceding unsigned comment added by 166.147.123.17 (talk) 01:01, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * We can't offer legal advice or help, and the form to reply with will be different in each jursidiction.  Ask the clerk of the court for the form.  Or, try Nolo, they offer some legal forms.  Or ask your lawyer. RudolfRed (talk) 01:42, 30 April 2013 (UTC)


 * "Nolo" here meaning Nolo.com (Nolo Press), a US publisher of legal self-help books. -- Finlay McWalterჷTalk 10:03, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, thanks. I should have been more clear on that.  RudolfRed (talk) 15:09, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * There will be no form nor template to answer a motion. See a lawyer.--Fuhghettaboutit (talk) 03:07, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

Doctorate from a British University
John Swindale Nanson Sewell (born 1904) was awarded a doctorate degree(Ph.D.) by a British University, almost certainly, during the 1940s. Apart from having to write to every British University, can a user please suggest how I can find out from which University he received his doctorate? Thank you. Simonschaim (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 04:28, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * It isn't exactly conclusive, but this page might interest you. Looie496 (talk) 05:48, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

Thank you Looie. Although Sewell received a B.A. in 1939 and an M.A. in 1942 both from T.C.D, this university, who made a thorough search, could find no record of his receiving a Ph.D from them. In the 1950s he received a baccalauréat ès lettres from the Sorbonne. Simonschaim (talk) —Preceding undated comment added 06:17, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * You wouldn't have to write to every current British university, only the ones in existence in the 1940s, a much smaller list. I'm not sure how many of them offered the PhD then, perhaps not all of them. 194.81.199.46 (talk) 15:13, 30 April 2013 (UTC)

Thank you Simonschaim (talk)

Running a Background check
I need to run a background check (mainly for criminal activity) on two people (in the US). How can I find a reliable service to do that? A Google search turns up a lot of them. However, Criminal records in the United States says "The NCIC (National Crime Information Center) is one such database. Generally, with a very few exceptions, the records compiled by the federal government are not made available to the private sector. Some private re-sellers claim to offer an NCIC record search. In most cases, these claims are fraudulent. " so I'm worried about getting a fraudulent one. How can I get a reliable one? Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 19:30, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Can you ask the NCIC for a list of companies that are authorized to run a search on your behalf? Obviously, they are unlikely to recommend a specific company, but given a list of authorized accessors, you can then use your own judgement to narrow down the field. CS Miller (talk) 21:32, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * That same article says that private investigators can search court records for criminal history. So, you don't need NCIC access to conduct a criminal background check.  RudolfRed (talk) 22:47, 30 April 2013 (UTC)


 * Yes, but court records probably apply only to a small jurisdiction. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 00:02, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Some or maybe many contracting companies run background checks before they'll hire you. Have you talked to any H.R. offices for some tips? ←Baseball Bugs What's up, Doc? carrots→ 00:20, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Which towns have/had mayors of the same name?
For example, has has someone named Gary been mayor of Gary, Indiana? (Nope.) Or has a Charles or Jones run a Charleston or Jonestown? Basically just looking for a list of notable instances of this sort of thing. Preferably English-sounding names, but no matter where. More interested in current mayors, if you'd like to prioritize. Not looking for towns that are named for their mayor or founder. Just (apparent) coincidences. It's a big question, I guess. No expectations of an exhaustive list (unless you want to), but at least five instances would be nice. Of course, I'm not paying you, so whatever's good! InedibleHulk (talk) 20:28, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Start at Category:Lists of mayors. Have fun.  -- Jayron  32  20:33, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Thanks, but isn't this where I come to have questions answered for me? Not trying to sound rude or entitled, just thought this was the point. InedibleHulk (talk) 20:38, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, this is where you get help answering questions. If I had to answer the question you wanted answered, I would start combing through Lists of Mayors at Wikipedia.  You can find all of them starting at Category:Lists of mayors.  Sorry to be so helpful.  I'll try to do worse next time.  -- Jayron  32  20:39, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * No, helpful's good. So is prompt. That's why I said thanks. Don't let the "but" fool you, it was sincere. InedibleHulk (talk) 20:42, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * I spot several men named "Thomas" (First name) at List of mayors of St. Thomas, Ontario. -- Jayron  32  21:02, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Walter Washington was the first mayor of Washington, D.C.. -- Jayron  32  21:05, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Charles Robinson, Jr. was a mayor of Charlestown, Massachusetts. -- Jayron  32  21:11, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Henry Fitz-Ailwin de Londonestone, Lord Mayor of London EamonnPKeane (talk) 10:36, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
 * Sir Alfred Barrow was mayor of Barrow. JMiall  ₰  11:49, 1 May 2013 (UTC)
 * I know it's not relevant, but I just have to mention Wolfgang Wolf, former mananger of VfL Wolfsburg.Dalliance (talk) 22:01, 30 April 2013 (UTC)
 * Alfred Salisbury-Jones, 1928-29, Mayor of Salisbury, UK Richard Avery (talk) 15:01, 1 May 2013 (UTC)

Thanks, people! That's enough for me, if you'd like to stop. But if you wouldn't, don't. That Wolfgang Wolf bit is pretty cool, as well. InedibleHulk (talk) 16:06, 1 May 2013 (UTC)


 * Stefan Sofiyanski is a former mayor of Sofia. His family name indicates his origin - "from Sofia" (see Bulgarian name, #Family names, #Suffixes). --Theurgist (talk) 05:34, 3 May 2013 (UTC)