#5. Again, sources on the death are badly needed.This will be more difficult to track down than I thought. I have called Memphis Coroner's Office, Memphis
Commercial Appeal, Memphis Vital Records, and TN Vital Records. Since I do not remember the exact date this incident happened, I cannot pinpoint the article in the
Commercial Appeal which referenced this. It was printed way back in section B as I recall. I believe this happened in summer 1988 but cannot recall for sure, and may be off by a season? The newspaper does not have online records gong back that far nor does it keep its own archives. The only archive of that newspaper exists on microfilm at only one library that I have been able to track down, the Benjamin Hooks Central Library in Memphis, which is 500+ miles from me. Being on microfilm there is no index, just each day's issue of the paper. The Vital Statics offices will not release any information to me without a date, or I can pay an hourly fee for research.
Nor have I been able to locate an online obituary, which would be in Pine Bluff, AR as I recall. Again, mostly due to the older date which is not in any searchable database. The State of TN Vital Records will perform a search for me based on the name and location, however, it is expensive to pay a researcher ($15 per hour) and I do not have the resources. Also, at best I would only receive a Validation of Death, which would not contain anything other than the name and date of death. As I am not related to the deceased, I cannot obtain a copy of the death certificate. If I could at least pin down the exact date, the rest would be easier to locate, primarily the brief news article that appeared. I am sorry that my memory of that event is not specific as to date which was about 22+/- years ago.
#7 Again, records are needed.This too may be difficult for the same reasons.
The Commercial Appeal and
The Tennessean had numerous articles on this topic but both papers do not have searchable archives back to the 1980s.
The Tennessean only goes back to December 2002. I phoned that paper and spoke with their archivist, and he was kind but could not offer any help because they are understaffed. He referred me to the microfilm archive at the Nashville Public Library, which is 350 miles from me. That library also charges $15 per hour for research.
Wow this will be much more difficult that I may be able to do on my own...