From 3c795e90726d79b697e3e4394cab7738159653c1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: medusa Date: Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:39:25 -0500 Subject: [PATCH] Add random/primary_data_sources.md --- random/primary_data_sources.md | 119 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 119 insertions(+) create mode 100644 random/primary_data_sources.md diff --git a/random/primary_data_sources.md b/random/primary_data_sources.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e9582f9 --- /dev/null +++ b/random/primary_data_sources.md @@ -0,0 +1,119 @@ +Primary Public Data Source You Leave Behind + + +Purpose +Help any adult understand, in one sitting, which first-hand records of their life are already public (or “public-on-request”) and where opposing counsel, an ex-partner, a reporter, or a bored stranger with a dial-up PC can retrieve them. + +Structure +• One-line definition of the record type +• Exact primary source (the first place the data is filed) +• Typical public index or lookup tool (how anyone finds it) +• Real-world caution note (what people forget) + +---------------------------------------- + +1. Civil Litigation Filings + – Definition: Anything you or your lawyer file or attach in a lawsuit. + – Primary source: Clerk of Court case file (paper → scanned PDF). + – Public index: PACER (federal), state e-filing portals, or county “Odyssey”/“TrueFiling” dockets. + – Caution: Even sealed settlements often leave the original complaint visible. + +2. Criminal Case Dockets & Discovery + – Definition: Charges, plea agreements, evidence lists, body-cam. + – Primary source: District Attorney file + Court Clerk. + – Public index: State court “Portal”, PACER for federal, many counties via “JUSTICE 360” or “CourtView”. + – Caution: Expungement orders do not always purge the arrest blotter photo from police Facebook. + +3. Bankruptcy Schedules + – Definition: Every bank account, crypto wallet, firearm, lawsuit, and co-signer you list. + – Primary source: U.S. Bankruptcy Court. + – Public index: PACER; free mirror RECAP. + – Caution: SSN is truncated, but full account numbers often remain. + +4. Real-Property Chain-of-Title + – Definition: Deeds, mortgages, liens, HOA covenants, foreclosure notices. + – Primary source: County Recorder / Registrar of Deeds. + – Public index: Recorder’s “Grantor/Grantee” web search; GIS parcel viewer. + – Caution: Transfer-on-death deeds still reveal your heirs’ addresses. + +5. UCC & Business Filings + – Definition: Collateral pledged in commercial loans; corporate formation docs. + – Primary source: Secretary of State, Division of Corporations. + – Public index: “Sunbiz” (FL), “SOSDirect” (TX), or national UCC search engines. + – Caution: Even dissolved LLCs retain officer names and signatures forever. + +6. Professional & Occupational Licenses + – Definition: Medical, legal, real-estate, contractor, barber, concealed-carry. + – Primary source: State licensing board. + – Public index: Board web portal; some states (CA, TX) provide bulk CSV downloads. + – Caution: Home addresses on original applications can persist even after you update them. + +7. Vital Records Indexes + – Definition: Birth, death, marriage, divorce. + – Primary source: State Vital Statistics Office or Family Court Clerk. + – Public index: “Index-only” lists (names, dates, counties) are FOIA-able in many states. Full certificates require ID. + – Caution: Divorce “asset schedules” are often unsealed. + +8. Voter Registrations & Histories + – Definition: Address, party affiliation, turnout history. + – Primary source: County Board of Elections. + – Public index: State voter file sold for <$50; some counties post searchable maps. + – Caution: Change-of-address cards update driver’s license and voter roll simultaneously. + +9. Campaign & Lobbying Disclosures + – Definition: Donations >$200, employer, occupation, lobbyist client lists. + – Primary source: FEC (federal), state ethics commission. + – Public index: FEC.gov “Individual Contributor Search”, OpenSecrets.org mirror. + – Caution: Refunds or re-designations still leave the original line item. + +10. Tax Liens, Judgments, Wage Garnishments + – Definition: IRS, state, or local tax debt plus court-ordered money judgments. + – Primary source: IRS Centralized Lien Unit or County Clerk. + – Public index: IRS “Automated Lien System” (ALSO) bulk data; county lien books. + – Caution: Withdrawn liens stay in the index with a “withdrawn” flag. + +11. Driving & Vehicle Records + – Definition: License status, crashes, DUIs, vehicle ownership. + – Primary source: DMV abstracts. + – Public index: “DPPA-permitted” lookup services (insurers, PI’s) for $5–$15. + – Caution: Plate readers in parking lots feed open-data dashboards in some cities. + +12. Civil Protection / Restraining Orders + – Definition: Petitions alleging abuse, stalking, or harassment. + – Primary source: Family Court Clerk. + – Public index: State protection-order registry; many counties show docket online. + – Caution: Even temporary orders remain searchable after dismissal. + +13. Domain Name Registrations + – Definition: Your name, address, phone, email tied to a domain. + – Primary source: Registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap). + – Public index: ICANN “WHOIS” (unless privacy-shielded). + – Caution: Historical WHOIS snapshots (DomainTools) survive privacy add-ons. + +14. Social-Media Public Posts & Live Streams + – Definition: Tweets, TikToks, YouTube uploads set to “public”. + – Primary source: Your account. + – Public index: Platform search, Google cache, Internet Archive Wayback Machine. + – Caution: Screenshots circulate long after deletion. + +15. Public-Records Requests You Make + – Definition: Emails, letters, or forms asking a government agency for documents. + – Primary source: Agency FOIA/FOIL log. + – Public index: Many agencies publish requester names & topics quarterly. + – Caution: The request itself can reveal litigation strategy. + +16. Government Research & Open-Data Releases + – Definition: Survey answers, grant applications, agency datasets. + – Primary source: Agency collecting the data. + – Public index: Data.gov, local open-data portals, ICPSR archives. + – Caution: “De-identified” datasets can sometimes be re-identified with auxiliary data. + +---------------------------------------- + +Usage Cheat-Sheet +1. Pick any row. +2. Visit the “Public index” URL. +3. Search your own name exactly as it appears on official IDs (nicknames, maiden, middle initial). +4. Note what you find; decide whether to seal, redact, or accept the exposure. + +End of document \ No newline at end of file