This article is never going to get written. I am finding it too easy to become distracted. My grandmother gave me three boxes of photos, clippings, and family genealogies. Between things I never knew, pictures I had never seen, and things I had long since forgotten, I am nearly overwhelmed.

In this week’s column, let’s take a look at a few of the newspaper clippings and discuss some lessons learned and ideas for follow-up.

A Suicide or a Murder?
The headline “Murder Plot Victim” was intended to grab attention. It certainly got mine. A photocopy of apparently two newspaper clippings details an uncle’s 1921 death in Kansas City. Local officials ruled the death a suicide by gunshot and the body was returned to Illinois for burial. An autopsy later conducted at the family’s request found no bullet wound and determined the death was caused by blunt force trauma to the back of the head. No other clippings mention this death. I am hoping to locate additional information on this death, and I have a plan.

First Steps
To begin with, I will start by reviewing...

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