Verification of death

Well, when all else fails, go through the back door.

I was having a dickens of a time finding out if my aunt Vickie truly did pass away this past January. As you know, I had written to my aunt's apartment -- addressing the letter to the male roommates. The letter came back with no forwarding address. I sent the letter again addressed to Vickie, hoping that the executor of the Estate would receive the letter. I received it back with a postal mark stating DECEASED.

A friend of mine suggested that I contact the Medical Examiner's Office. I did, and he directed me to the County Courthouse. For $1 (as opposed to Ancestry's $80+ fee), I received an uncertified copy of the death certificate which arrived today. Cause of death... sleep apnea!

I am not closing the case on Vickie. I will continue to try and locate the man who was living with her at the time of death. He is also listed as the informant. I want to learn about my aunt, who she was and what her life was like.

I had also sent away for her birth certificate from Texas. I received back a form to complete and another monetary request. (I had already paid them.) I will send that form in with a copy of her death certificate and see what information I can ascertain about her mother from that document. I already know her name and maiden name, but hopefully it will list her birthplace.

The request for the marriage/divorce certificate for Ruth Holmes (my grandmother) was unattainable by the location/agency I contacted. They did give me another location to research. I'll reach out to them tomorrow.