Hi again, everyone. I need some advice from you great listers! By way of reminder: I am still researching my grandfather, Albion Lee Rowe, who died 2/16/1966 in Sequin, TX after having been missing since 1955 CA. After his death, his remains were donated to the University Of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB). Currently, I am trying to find out WHO ok'd the release of his body to UTMB. I now have ordered and received all the hospital records, funeral home records and death certs from County and State. BUT... none of those documents say who signed for his body to be released to the UTMB for medical research. I was hoping to find out who signed him over to them so that I would know who may have taken care of his belongings and who knew him well enough. I have been in contact with UTMB in Galveston - and the Willed Body Program director: Andrew F. Payer, Ph.D. , several times - and he / they have not been very cooperative. This is my dilemma: After being told many times that UTMB 'can't find' the records, (and me pushing & pushing for them) Andrew F. Payer, Ph.D. did find something & I received one page which simply validated that his remains were received into the Willed Body Program (registration number of S.A.B. 9723) but nothing else. SO, I once again request ALL of the file - reminding them that according to their UTBM Handbook of Operating Procedures - policy number 9-15.2 for Authorization of Postmortem Procedures: " * Policy: A properly executed Authorization of Postmortem Procedures form is required to donate a decedent's remains to the Willed Body Program..." etc. (I have noted the requirements at the end of this letter, FYI) I got back a not-so-nice note from Andrew F. Payer that basically said "the files were lost. Period. If you want to pursue this further, call the legal dept." They said they lost (can't find) all files prior to 1970. Can you imagine? So, I'm not quite sure where to go from here. I am certain that all those families, aside from my own would, be appalled to know that their loved ones records were missing/destoyed/thrown out/lost after they donated such a generous gift as their relative's remains to this university! I have a feeling that those records are there -somewhere - but no one wants to bother to look for them. Or, if they are lost, it needs to be reported. Any idea to whom I should write to about this issue to get to the bottom of it? I hate to be a pain to UTMB - but it's the only place left that may have the info I need! I'm thinking the media would have a field day with this issue - and get someone to look a bit harder for files prior to 1966. Or perhaps report to the Texas Education Board? Or State Senator? Or ?? What cha think? Any advice would be welcomed! Thanks so much - Peggy FYI: This is a summary of the UTMB's policy: Donations to UTMB's Willed Body Program occur by: * The decedent's written document. (expressed in either a will or in a drivers licence/personal Identification card executed prior to Sept. 1, 1997.) * The following persons, in the following priority, may authorize donation provided 1) a higher priority person is not available. 2) there is no actual notice of contrary indications by the decedent; and 3) there is no actual notice of opposition by a member of the same or higher priority class: Decedent's spouse Decedent's adult child Either of the decedent's parents Decedent's brother or sister Decedent's guardian at the time of death Any other person authorized or under an obligation to dispose of the body. * Unclaimed remains may be donated to the Willed Body Program 72 hours postmortem by affidavit from a Galveston County Judge. * ALL postmortem procedures including release of remains, autopsy, and anatomical donations are authorized either in writing using the Authorization of Postmortem form or by telephone. Telephone consent requires a follow up confirmation telegram or fax. The Authorization of Postmortem Procedures is not valid until the telegram or fax has been received "