That's how you do it! Genealogy sites are also quite useful if you have any access to those. If someone had access to the back issues of the newspaper in the area, there may be some useful information in so far as where and how he was found. or if the police reports are public record at that time. Or not. Sometimes it just takes trying over a period of time. Eventually something is posted somewhere on a site somewhere that gives you a clue. Thing is, you never know until you look!