Tag Archives: #research

Black Dahlia: Going Digital

Posted on September 11, 2015 by lmharnisch

  I am slowly digitizing all the interviews I have conducted into Los Angeles in the 1940s and it’s so nice to hear them again. This week, I did Fred Okrand (d. 2002) of the ACLU; Betty Rowland, the 1940s … Continue reading →

Posted in 1947, Black Dahlia, City Hall, History | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Historians’ Tools: Archiving Email With MailStore

Posted on September 7, 2015 by lmharnisch

  Much of the research I have done on the Black Dahlia case has been conducted via email, and after almost 20 years, I have quite a lot of it. I have tried to be diligent in backing up my … Continue reading →

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Another Good Story Ruined: ‘No Irish Need Apply’ Debunker Gets Debunked by Young Scholar

Posted on August 1, 2015 by lmharnisch

Here’s an excellent weekend read by Patrick Young, Esq., in the Long Island Wins, rebutting the contention that “No Irish Need Apply” was mere paranoia and legend. Thanks to Earl Boebert for the tip. ”No Irish Need Apply: A Myth … Continue reading →

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An Update From 1947

Posted on January 21, 2015 by lmharnisch

I have been immersing myself in 1947 and for those readers who don’t follow my Twitter feed (@LATDailyMirror) or Facebook page, here’s what I have been up to. From January 1947: The American Mercury muses on Arthur Vandenberg’s chances in … Continue reading →

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Alexa Foreman: Available for Research

Posted on January 5, 2015 by lmharnisch

Alexa Foreman, an early member of the L.A. Daily Mirror brain trust, writes that after 20 years at TCM, she is now available to do research projects. Alexa, a researcher and producer at TCM since it began in 1994,  writes … Continue reading →

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The New Rapper: Li’l Fatty Alias DJ Roscoe

Posted on November 29, 2014 by lmharnisch

Dear ProQuest: No, I did not. Perhaps you are thinking of Nipsey Hussle.

Posted in Film, Hollywood, Libraries, Music | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

LAPD: Parker Center Cop Shop Files — A Research Question on LAPD Case Numbering

Posted on November 9, 2013 by lmharnisch

While I’m on the subject of the LAPD Cop Shop Files, let me see if there’s anyone among the Daily Mirror Brain Trust who is familiar with LAPD case numbers. It seems that after many years of following the protocol … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Courts, LAPD, Parker Center Cop Shop Files | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

L.A. Archives Bazaar – Coming Tomorrow

Posted on October 11, 2013 by lmharnisch

The annual Archives Bazaar snuck up on me this year. It’s tomorrow at USC! The annual bazaar will be held at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featured sessions include the Archives Roadshow, from 10 a.m … Continue reading →

Posted in Coming Attractions, History | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

When Hollywood Tries to Get It Right

Posted on July 5, 2013 by lmharnisch

July 5, 1983: Calendar writer Judith Michaelson has a most enjoyable story about De Forest Research, founded in 1952 by Kellam de Forest and located on the Paramount lot in Hollywood. At that time, the company had seven researchers, 16,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in 1983, Film, Hollywood, Libraries, Television | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Research by Mary Mallory

Posted on June 17, 2013 by lmharnisch

Dear friends, By now you are familiar with the writing and research abilities of Mary Mallory (not to mention her skill at identifying mystery guests!) I occasionally receive requests for help with research and I am pleased to say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Brain Trust, Mary Mallory | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Answering Michael Rosenblum: What IS a Library?

Posted on May 18, 2013 by lmharnisch

A fellow named Michael Rosenblum, whom I have never encountered before, has written a Huffington Post essay on libraries and meanders about on the idea that Google has made them obsolete. Mind you, this is not a direct point — … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Libraries | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Wikipedia: Murder and Myth — A Note on Sources

Posted on April 29, 2013 by lmharnisch

In case you just tuned in, I am using the Wikipedia entry on Wallace Beery — alleging that he was involved in the death of Ted Healy — as a way to explore Wikipedia’s fundamental problems with accuracy and delve … Continue reading →

Posted in 1937, Film, History, Hollywood | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wikipedia Watch: Yuri Gadyukin Hoax

Posted on April 28, 2013 by lmharnisch

An elaborate Wikipedia hoax involves a purported Soviet film director — who never existed. Among his alleged works is “Where the Tractors Roam.”

Posted in Film, History, Wikipedia | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Coming Attractions: Los Angeles Archives Bazaar

Posted on October 17, 2012 by lmharnisch

The annual Los Angeles Archives Bazaar will be held Oct. 27 at USC’s Doheny Memorial Library. The bazaar is an excellent way to become acquainted with the astounding number of libraries and historical societies across the city and their amazingly … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012, Coming Attractions, History, Libraries | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A World Without Wikipedia: Not Such a Bad Idea

Posted on January 18, 2012 by lmharnisch

Wikipedia can stay dark permanently as far as I’m concerned. It’s a sinkhole of rumors and errors run by coding tweakers, factoid zealots and folks with tinfoil hats — and yes, Wikipedia has an entry on tinfoil hats. I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Another Good Story Ruined, History | Tagged , , | 21 Comments

Google Strikes Again

Posted on August 25, 2011 by lmharnisch

Google has a bad habit of introducing a wonderful feature and then breaking it a few years later, as quietly as possible. The latest victim is Google’s online newspaper archives. Researchers may have noticed that the interface changed recently. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy, Libraries | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

A Kindred Spirit: The New York Wanderer

Posted on July 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

Retired real estate investor Benjamin P. Feldman picked up an old change purse at a flea market and was intrigued by the name stamped on it: Compliments of Sol Goldberg’s Cafe. So he began to investigate. Feldman told the New … Continue reading →

Posted in From the Reference Desk, Libraries | Tagged , , | 2 Comments