Thanks very much for that advice.
Surely not everyone who dies would have an obituary? I'm not sure what the custom is in the USA, but in the UK obituaries are mostly for persons noteable in the community. I was wondering where to get the death certificate/ how to make use of the social security number etc. (I've never attempted US based research before)
My mother would qualify as next of kin, would that make a difference to the way to approach this research? Do you have any idea what costs might be involved? I would so love to find Mum's brother and sister if it is at all possible. My mum, at 71, would be the youngest of the three children, so it's a long shot I know