Obituary Searches
From LoveToKnow Dying
What is the best method to conduct obituary searches? When wanting to find a listing of someone who has died, you will want to follow some guidelines.
Writing an Obituary
An obituary is a listing or announcement placed in a newspaper for the purpose of letting society know about the death of a person. Obituaries can be written by funeral home representatives or friends of the deceased. When a person has a long-term illness, he might write his own obit. After death, the death date would be filled in by someone else before submitting the piece to the newspaper. Newspapers have a section in their daily papers where the announcements are printed. People in the community peruse the obituaries to learn about the recent death of someone.
In the United States, lengthy obituaries used to be written only for prominent people. However, after the Civil War, common folk were included, and more details were included about their deaths.
In some cases, there were no death certificates and so the obituaries in the papers were the only forms of proof that a person had died.
The Value of Obituary Searches
Many family scrapbook keepers and historians feel the need to search for a deceased family member's listing in the paper. There are times when no one living in the immediate family has all the correct dates, children's names, or biographical details of a person who has died. When a situation like this arises, it is good to be able to conduct a search. When the search locates an announcement about the death of a loved one, the missing pieces can be filled in. This knowledge takes care of any gaps in the family history. Specifics from obituaries can serve as wealthy additions to any family tree.
Conducting Obituary Searches
Thanks to the Internet, searching to find information about someone's death, can be done with ease now. If you need to know the specifics about a deceased person, you can get a listing of their death, even if their death was some time ago. You will need to know some things to help with your search. Having access to as many of the items below will increase the chances of learning more about their death.
- Legal name of person, if married, then the married name
- Where he/she lived
- Death date
- Birth date
- Place of birth and death
- Place of employment
- Name of funeral home
- Name of cemetery or place of burial
Where to Look Online
The Internet is a powerful tool for finding information once thought to be impossible. Some of the sites listed below are free, while others charge a modest fee to obtain an obituary listing.
Finding Old Newspapers
A search at the library in the town where the deceased died may be key when you want to look in old newspapers for obituaries. Ask the librarian to help you should you need assistance. If the person died decades ago, your search may take time. Some libraries keep old local newspapers on microfilm. Be prepared to spend an ample amount of time garnishing the information you need. Bring along a pad of paper and a pen to jot down any leads or tidbits that you come across of interest pertaining to your search.
Reading Obituaries
As you take the time to research, you will come across many death notices. Obituaries are a wonderful way to make you think about your own lives, how you will die one day, and the way in which you want to be remembered in the years to come. Hopefully, your search will benefit you in countless ways.
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