One of the things I really enjoy about grave hunting is the acquisition of books. As mentioned books are a very essential part of the hobby. Not only are their grave hunting books on specific cemeteries, & geographic regions, but there are reference works which act like large databases listing thousands of names with biographical, and cemetery info. Lets not forget other works which are encyclopedias of sorts which have biographical info highlighting the deaths and demise of celebrities.

Another literary genre that has come to light in recent years. Are books which highlight photocopy collections, of death certificates, of celebrities. While these books are somewhat short on biographical info, the main feature is the real death certificate of your favorite celebrity.

One such title is Death Certificates Vol. I by Michael F. Steen.  To begin the publisher is McFarland Publishing. McFarland publishes a wide assortment of titles. Mostly reference works of various genres, biographies on classic celebrities, among others. The book has 202 pages and retails for $39.95 I managed to find a brand new copy for $31.94 with shipping.  There are 185 death certificates in this book, with brief biographical info listed in the end of the book.

Some of the celebrities whose death certificates grace the pages of this marvelous work include but is not limited to, Thema Todd, Dirk & Dack Rambo, W.C. Fields, Walt Disney, Clara Bow, Al Jolson, The Three Stooges, and the list goes on. This book must be in the library of any self-respecting grave hunter, celebrity death hag, death certificate collector, or anyone who is fascinated by the glitz and glamor of Hollywood’s élite from yesterday and today.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book which is a minor issue. Is that I wish instead for the biographical info in the back of the book. I would have liked to of seen the biographical info included on the page with each death certificate. So I’m hoping the next two volumes which have already been published fix that minor error.

With all that said and done I HIGHLY recommend this title. You might also be interested in obtaining Michael Steen’s other two volumes under the same name. Both of those titles I have not obtained but I am planning on obtaining in the very near future.