VIN search

If you go to the local police and ask you MAY get them to check the car for issues before you buy. I just got a clean bill of health for a car I was looking at that is a barn find. They ran the vin and cleared me for registration if I go that route. Sadly they would not give me previous owner history only it was not stolen, in a crash or wanted in any police controlled environment.

As for previous owners- contact the local DMV and they may work with you.
With old cars I wonder if places like Hagerty or Grundy have a service like that?