There is a limit to the past time frame you can access through PACER. Most cases filed before 1999 are still in the paper format only and can be accessed through the court or the Federal Record Centers. U.S. Bankruptcy Court cases that are to be permanently filed are sent to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and can be accessed through them. These records are primarily used in genealogical research. Depending on the specifics of a particular bankruptcy case, some records are destroyed after a set amount of time as established by the Records Schedules. There is the option to hire a professional public records search company to retrieve this information for you but this is the same place they are getting the information. They will charge much heftier fees for the information although you will then not have to spend the time looking for these documents yourself. Time is money and this route may be more valuable to you than the monetary savings of doing it yourself.