Historical Research - Advice

[SaxMan]

I've been researching the crash of a Capital Airlines DC-3 (sometimes referred to as a DC-47), ex AAF C-47A 42-100985, that occurred back in June 1957 in Clarksburg, Maryland, killing all three crewmembers aboard. I've been trying to find more information about the crew for the human aspect of the story and actually found several family members of one of the crew. My quandry is who and how I should reach out to them. Here are my options:

Crew member's widow: She is 92 years old, never remarried, apparently still lives on her own (definitely not in an old age home). I've ruled out calling, I think that would be too much of a shock. I was thinking of writing a letter, but again, would that still be a shock, and how would I know if she even read it or tossed it out like junk mail?

Son-in-law: Son in law is in his late 60s. He was married to the crew member's oldest daughter (who was 14 at the time of the accident), but the daughter passed in 2006 to cancer. I was thinking of reaching out to him to ask about contact information for the younger daughter (who is still alive, but has an extremely common married surname). By coincidence, son-in-law lives about 10 miles from where I live. However, would reaching out to him be opening a can of worms, since the daughter has passed.

Granddaughter: Granddaughter is in 30s and also lives locally. She has children as well, who would be the great-grandchildren of the crew member. My guess is she probably doesn't know too much about her grandfather. She lives in fairly close proximity to the crash site, but has never visited or inquired about the site, at least since 2001 when the current tenant moved in.

I've never been gun-shy about picking up the phone and cold calling people for interviews, but the person I'm calling is usually the subject of my research, or has something to add to my research. In this case, because I'm dealing with someone who died under unfortunate circumstances, I don't want to inflict any more hurt on the family.

[Pathfinder]

Having done this sort of research for over 35 years I would suggest the son-in-law. Close enough to advise you of the who, what and where of the current family situation....and sufficiently removed from the event to take a "third-person" interest in what you are doing. Initially by letter...then by phone.

[Mark Allen M]

What was the N# for the DC-3 your researching? Here's a few photos of Capital Airlines DC-3's.
Edit: found it's last N# of N88835

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Capital ... nes%20DC-3

[SaxMan]

I ended up going with yet another source that I tripped across on Facebook, the crewmember's grandson, who happens to be a pilot as well. I felt as a pilot, he would be the most approachable. I was correct. We spoked today for about 30 minutes. He indicated that my choice of reaching out to him was probably the correct choice, as the accident devastated the family, leaving scars that still linger today. He definitely was interested in my work. He knew about the accident but had no idea of the exact location, the family had the accident several miles to the northwest of where it actually occurred. Since he is local, I am probably going to take him to visit the site where his grandfather passed.

I'm still in a bit of shock myself. I've been working this project for about 10 months now, and to actually "connect" with the family, and to help those family members connect with a relative they never met is a bit stunning.

[Locobuster]

Glad to hear it worked out well for you, keep us updated, I am looking forward to seeing the finished product.

Syd