David Dornstein Family Papers
An inventory of the papers at the Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster
Archives at Syracuse University
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Summary
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| Creator: |
Dornstein, David, 1963-1988.
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| Title: |
David Dornstein Family Papers |
| Dates: |
1963-2005 |
| Size: |
10.5 linear
feet
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| Abstract: |
Journals, correspondence, and other
materials related to David Dornstein, one of the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am
Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988.
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| Language: |
English
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| Repository: |
Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/pan-am-103
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Biography
David Dornstein (1963-1988) was among the 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight
103 over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988. He was returning home to New York
from Israel where he had been working on a project for Alternatives in Jewish Education.
David was a 1985 graduate of Brown University, where he wrote for the campus newspaper,
the Brown Daily Herald, and studied writing. His copious notebooks, journals, and
correspondence provide a glimpse into the mind of a young man remembered by friends as
"incandescent, a Roman candle, a sparkler burning bright in everybody's night" as well as
"a little crazy and a little rebellious."
Prior to his work and travel in Israel, Dornstein had set out to see America on a
Greyhound bus. He carried with him a worn copy of Jack Kerouac's
On the Road, which he left at a bus stop at the end of his trip in hopes that
it would continue to travel without him.
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Scope and Content Note
The David Dornstein Family Papers contain the personal
journals, recordings, correspondence, and writings of Pan Am Flight 103 victim David
Dornstein. Also included are materials related to memorial services and awards created
in his honor, and compilations of notes and interviews conducted by his brother,
filmmaker Ken Dornstein, following David's death. The collection has been divided into
the following series:
Audiovisual materials contains audio recordings of David
Dornstein, as well as his short film "Reiss Ranter."
Clippings consists of news articles by and about David
Dornstein and the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.
Correspondence includes condolences received by the Dornstein
family following David's death, as well as subseries for the personal correspondence of
David Dornstein, Ken Dornstein (his brother) and Dr. Perry Dornstein (his father). David
Dornstein's correspondence includes letters and postcards to family, friends, and
mentors. Please note access to the personal correspondence of David Dornstein is
available by permission of the donor until December 2038. The subseries for Ken
Dornstein and Dr. Perry Dornstein contain material related to the death of David
Dornstein, the return of his personal effects from Lockerbie, Scotland, and various
awards and honors established in his memory.
Notebooks comprises the extensive personal journals and notes
of David Dornstein from September 1981 through March 1988, as well as supporting
documentation compiled by Ken Dornstein. Please note access to the personal notebooks of
David Dornstein is available by permission of the donor until December 2038.
Subject files is divided into subseries for David Dornstein
and Ken Dornstein. The former includes high school and college course work of David
Dornstein, as well as information on memorials and vital documents. The subseries for
Ken Dornstein consists entirely of interviews conducted as part of an oral history
project pertaining to his brother's life.
Writings includes pieces written by David Dornstein for
the Brown Daily Herald, and a piece by Ken Dornstein
reflecting on his brother's death published in The New
Yorker.
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Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to
allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Access to the personal correspondence and notebooks of David Dornstein shall be granted
by permission of the donor, or the donor's designated representative. All access
restrictions to these materials will expire 21 December 2038. Access to recordings
requires advance notice to produce a use copy.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Pan Am Flight 103 Archives and all relevant
rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in
this collection.
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Selected Search Terms
Names
Dornstein family.
Dornstein, David, 1963-1988.
Dornstein, Ken.
Syracuse University -- History.
Syracuse University.
Associated Titles
The Boy Who Fell Out of the Sky.
Subjects
Pan Am Flight 103 Bombing Incident, 1988.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States -- Case Studies.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States -- History.
Terrorism -- Government Policy -- United States.
Terrorism -- History -- 20th Century.
Lockerbie (Scotland)
Types of material
Audiocassettes.
Correspondence.
DVDs.
Notebooks.
VHS.
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
David Dornstein Family Papers,
Pan Am Flight 103/Lockerbie Air Disaster Archives
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
Gift of Ken Dornstein in 2016.
Processing Information
Materials were removed from three-ring binders and rehoused in acid-free folders. All
materials have been placed in acid-free folders and boxes.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Vanessa L. St.Oegger-Menn
Date: 2016
Revision history: June 2018 - Inventory added (VSOM);
Jan 2020 - Inventory and Scope and Content updated (VSOM);
Feb 2025 - Media ID numbers updated, Box 13 and 14 combined (VSOM)
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Arrangement
The David Dornstein Family Papers are arranged alphabetically and chronologically within
series.
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Inventory
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Audiovisual materials |
| Box 13 |
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Caje 13 In Israel 31 July - 5 August 1988
- note in the box reads: "David 2:14; 4:20-4:24; his name 44:15"
(VHS; running time 45:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_005)
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| Box 13 |
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Cassette transfers, disc 1: Recordings of David Dornstein audio letters 27 March 2006
(DVD)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_002)
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| Box 13 |
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Cassette transfers, disc 2: Recordings of David Dornstein audio letters 27 March 2006
(DVD)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_003)
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| Box 13 |
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Dave’s Place, by Phelim Dolan with David Dornstein 1986
(VHS; running time 10:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_006)
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| Box 13 |
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Essay on Genius (C1-1); Sunday Brunch (C1-2)
(Audio cassette; running time 90:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_007)
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| Box 13 |
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Hendrix: The Cry of Love, Sater; The Doors, Sater 1984
(Audio cassette; running time 90:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_010)
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| Box 13 |
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Norman Atkins' Rolling Stone (C5-1); Brunch (C5-2)
(Audio cassette; running time 120:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_008)
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| Box 13 |
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Reiss Ranter 7 November 1989
(VHS; running time 21:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_001)
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| Box 13 |
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Reiss Ranter 4 December 2012
- Film by David Dornstein
(DVD; running time 35:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_004)
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| Box 13 |
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Santini I (from Norm[an] Atkins) (C6-1 and C6-2); Memorial Day 1987 (?)
(Audio cassette; running time 120:00)
(ID#: pa103_dornstein_ds_009)
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Clippings |
| Box 1 |
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General December 1988-April 1989, undated |
| Oversize 1 |
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General 1980-1988 |
| Box 1 |
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The Philadelphia inquirer December 1988 |
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Correspondence |
| Box 1 |
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Condolences December 1988-February 1995, undated
(3 folders)
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David Dornstein |
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RESTRICTED: Please note, access to the personal correspondence of David Dornstein is
granted by permission of the donor. Please contact the Archives for further
information on accessing these materials.
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| Box 1 |
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Atkins, Norman 1985-1999 |
| Box 1 |
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Blinkoff, Susannah 1985-1997 |
| Box 1 |
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Brown, Melissa 1984 |
| Box 1 |
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Dornstein, Dottie (Dorothy) (stepmother) 1982-1985 |
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Dornstein, Ken (brother) |
| Box 1 |
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Postcards June 1983 |
| Box 1 |
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Correspondence 1983-1988, undated
(7 folders)
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Dornstein, Perry (father) |
| Box 2 |
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Correspondence 21 September
1981-29 November 1988, undated
(3 folders)
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| Box 2 |
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Dornstein, Susan (sister) 1987 |
| Box 2 |
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Douglas, Lawrence 1983-1984 |
| Box 2 |
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Gold, Greta (aunt) 1983-1985 |
| Box 2 |
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Osman, Jena February-July 1988 |
| Box 2 |
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Salzman, Jason 1984-1986 |
| Box 2 |
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Spack, Beth 1987-2001 |
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Various |
| Box 2 |
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General 1976-2000, undated
(3 folders)
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| Box 2 |
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Sent and unsent 1982-1988 |
| Box 3 |
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Ken Dornstein binder: letters undated
(2 folders)
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Ken Dornstein |
| Box 3 |
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The Coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education
(CAJE) 1980-1999
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| Box 3 |
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Gilman, Susan 2002, undated |
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Dr. Perry Dornstein |
| Box 3 |
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David Dornstein Memorial Creative Writing Contest for Young Adult
Writers January 1989-September
1992
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| Box 3 |
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Outgoing correspondence 1993, 1998, undated |
| Box 3 |
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Personal effects of David Dornstein April 1989, November 1989 |
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Notebooks |
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RESTRICTED: Please note, access to the personal notebooks of David Dornstein is granted by
permission of the donor. Please contact the Archives for further information on
accessing these materials.
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| Box 3 |
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Notebook #1, 22 September-1 October
1981
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| Box 3 |
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Notebook #2, 4 February-7 March
1982
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| Box 3 |
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Notebook #4, 29 July-9 September
1982
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| Box 3 |
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Untitled notebook 31 October-21
November 1982
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| Box 4 |
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Notebook #5a, 11 September-26
October, 1983
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| Box 4 |
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Notebook #6, Fall 1982-1983 |
| Box 4 |
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Notebook #7, 8 February-20 March
1983
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| Box 4 |
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Notebook #7b, Mar-April 1983 |
| Box 4 |
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Notebook #8, 14 April-25 May
1983
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| Box 4 |
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Notebook #8a, undated |
| Box 5 |
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Untitled notebook June-August 1983 |
| Box 5 |
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Notebook #10, August 1983 |
| Box 5 |
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Untitled notebook 23 September-23
October 1983
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| Box 5 |
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Untitled notebook 1 November 1983, undated |
| Box 5 |
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Notebook #16, 23 October-15
November 1983
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| Box 5 |
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Notebooks #14a and #14b, 19 November 1983, 7 February 1984 |
| Box 5 |
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Notebook #15, 29 March-28 April
1984
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| Box 6 |
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Untitled notebook 28 April-31 May
1984
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| Box 6 |
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Notebook #17, 1 June-16 July
1984
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| Box 6 |
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Notebook #18, 25 August-11
September 1984
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| Box 6 |
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Untitled notebook 12 September-3
October 1984
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| Box 6 |
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Notebook #20, 3 October-19 November
1984
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| Box 6 |
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Notebook #21, 20 November-18
December 1984
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #22, 19 December 1984-21
January, 1985
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #23, 28 January-11 March
1985
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #24, 12 March-8 May
1985
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #3, 14-20 August 1985, undated |
| Box 7 |
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Untitled notebook 1985 |
| Box 7 |
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Notebook #26, 21 November 1985-18
February 1986
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #27, 20 February-11 May
1986
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| Box 7 |
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Notebook #28, 28 June-3 October
1986
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| Box 8 |
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Notebook #29, 5 January-15
December, 1987
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| Box 8 |
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Notebook #30, 16 June, 1987-20
March 1988
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| Box 8 |
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Untitled notebook undated
(2 folders)
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| Box 8 |
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Ken Dornstein binder: Dave notebooks (abridged) undated
(2 folders)
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| Box 8 |
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Ken Dornstein folder: Dave notebooks, supporting
information 1982-2002
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| Box 8 |
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Ken Dornstein folder: Dave notebooks, supporting
materials 1983-1998
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Subject files |
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David Dornstein |
| Oversize 2 |
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American flag presented to Dornstein family circa 1988 |
| Box 9 |
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Brown University records 1981-1985 |
| Oversize 1 |
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Brown University yearbook 1985 |
| Oversize 1 |
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Cheltenham High School yearbook 1981 |
| Box 9 |
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Memorials 1989, undated |
| Box 9 |
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Official documents 1963-1988 |
| Box 9 |
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School records 1969-1985, undated |
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Ken Dornstein |
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The Dave oral history project |
| Box 9 |
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Table of contents and loose materials 2001-2005 |
| Box 9 |
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A-B 1999-2002 |
| Box 9 |
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C-D 1999-2003 |
| Box 9 |
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E-G 1997-2003 |
| Box 10 |
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H-L 1997-2002 |
| Box 10 |
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M-R 1997-2004 |
| Box 10 |
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S-Z 1997-2002 |
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Writings |
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David Dornstein |
| Box 10 |
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Brown daily herald 1983-1985 |
| Oversize 1 |
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Brown daily herald 1981-1985 |
| Box 10 |
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Cheltenham High School 1977-1981 |
| Box 10 |
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Creative writing 1981-1988, undated
(5 folders)
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| Box 10 |
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Fragments and doodles 1980, undated |
| Box 11 |
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Journal fragments 1982-1985
(2 folders)
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RESTRICTED: Please note, access to the personal notebooks of David Dornstein is granted
by permission of the donor. Please contact the Archives for further
information on accessing these materials.
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| Box 11 |
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Philtrum Press 1983-1987, undated |
| Box 11 |
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School notes 1984, undated
(2 folders)
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| Box 11 |
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School papers, Brown University 1981-1985, undated
(3 folders)
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| Box 11 |
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School papers, pre-Brown University 1980-1981, undated |
| Box 12 |
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Untitled 8 February 1988-2
July 1988
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| Box 12 |
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Writing class comments 1983, undated
(2 folders)
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| Box 12 |
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Writings from computer files March 1987-August
1988
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| Box 12 |
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Ken Dornstein binder: Dave writings undated |
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Ken Dornstein |
| Box 12 |
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"Where my brother fell to Earth: a visit to Lockerbie," The New
Yorker November 1998-April
1999
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