Methods for use by processing modules in a dispersed storage network (DSN) to retrieve a data object stored in one of a plurality of storage generations of the DSN, each of the storage generations including a plurality of storage units. In various examples, a first retrieval request is generated to retrieve metadata addressing information. Based on the metadata addressing information, a second retrieval request is generated to retrieve the metadata. Using the metadata, a third retrieval request is then generated to retrieve at least a portion of the data object. The metadata addressing information, the metadata, and the data object may be retrieved from differing storage generations. Each of the first, second, and third retrieval requests are formatted in accordance with a read request format of the DSN, the read request format including a storage generation identifier field.