Obituaries can be a valuable resource for genealogy research, as they often provide detailed information about an individual’s life, including birth and death dates, family members, and occupation. Obituaries can also contain information about funeral arrangements and where the person is buried. Here are 5 steps for using obituaries in genealogy research:
- Confirm dates and details: Obituaries can provide accurate and detailed information about an individual’s birth and death dates, as well as information about their place of birth and death. This information can be used to confirm or update details in other records.
- Identify family members: Obituaries often mention the names of surviving family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings. This information can be used to expand your family tree and search for additional records.
- Learn about occupation and education: Obituaries often mention an individual’s occupation and educational background, which can provide insight into their social and economic status.
- Find funeral information: Obituaries often include information about funeral arrangements, including the date, time, and location of the service, as well as the place of burial. This information can be used to locate the individual’s gravesite and search for additional records.
- Find information about the community: Obituaries often include information about the individual’s involvement in their community, including clubs, organizations, and churches. This information can provide insight into the community your ancestors lived in and the cultural and social norms of the time.
To conduct your free online obituary search, you should start by searching the link collections at AccessGenealogy. You can also check local libraries, historical societies, and archives for newspapers or funeral home records. If the obituary was written by a family member, you can also try searching for personal papers or family collections.
Keep in mind that not all individuals have obituaries, and the information contained in an obituary may not always be accurate. It’s always best to confirm the information with additional records, such as census records, marriage certificates, and death certificates. Also, spellings of names and places may vary, so it’s best to search for variations of the name or place.
In conclusion, obituaries can be a valuable resource for genealogy research, as they often provide detailed information about an individual’s life, including their birth and death dates, family members, and occupation. By searching online newspaper archives and local newspapers, genealogists can use obituaries to confirm dates and places, identify family members, learn about the person’s life and occupation, and find burial information. With the help of obituaries and other records, genealogists can piece together the story of their ancestors and gain a deeper understanding of their family’s past.