How to Find an Obituary For a Specific Person
If you are interested in finding an obituary for a specific person, there are several free resources to help. The key is gathering as much information as you can.
The details you gather will make your search easier and help you narrow down the results. Start by determining the person’s full name and age.
Gather as Much Information as You Can.
When attempting to find an obituary for a specific person, gather as much information as possible about their passing. This can help you avoid making mistakes and will make your search easier.
Obituaries often include basic details about a person’s life, like their date of death, surviving next of kin and the city or state they lived in. They are often a good starting point for genealogical research and can provide clues to various records and other sources. ( Find an Obituary For a Specific Person )
However, it’s important to note that obituaries are not firsthand sources and rely on data from someone adjacent to the event, which can lead to misinformation. In addition, obituaries may not accurately reflect the precise dates and places of birth, even when the informant thought they did.
Check Newspaper Archives.
Obituaries are published in many different newspapers and vary in how much information is included. Older obituaries, for instance, typically contain less information than current ones.
Check the archives if you can’t find an obituary for a specific person in a newspaper. These are often available in the public library.
There are also some obituary databases that you can search for free. These are typically keyword searchable, and they can be used from home.
When looking for an obituary, narrow your search by a state or city. If you search by a name and still get too many results, try searching with name variations (e.g., John G. Smith).
Another in-person option is to visit an Archive Facility, which is found almost everywhere. Historians typically use these and can provide a wealth of historical information and government records.
Could You Check Local Libraries?
A local library is a great place to check out books and other materials that may not be available at home or school. They also offer services for their communities, like quiet spaces for studying or maker spaces for those who enjoy making things.
For obituary research, the best resource is likely to be online, but print sources are also often useful. Most libraries have issues with their local newspapers on record, and most have microfilm containing obituaries from the past.
The most reputable libraries will have an obituary research section with helpful librarians. These librarians can help you find obituaries that an obituary writer may have yet to write. They can also help you narrow the results using advanced search techniques and resources.
Another interesting resource is the library’s interlibrary loan system, which allows you to borrow books from other libraries around your state or country. Having access to these resources can save you a lot of money. Still, it’s important to remember that these resources are often only available in some libraries and will likely take some time to get to you.
Check Online.
Obituaries are important resources for family history researchers. They can help you identify siblings and parents, provide details about a person’s birth and death, and offer insight into their life.
But finding an obituary can be difficult, especially if you’re trying to track down someone who died many years ago or in a foreign country where records aren’t kept. Here are some tips for finding the information you need:
First, gather as much information as you can about the deceased. This can include their full name, date of birth, place, and where they likely died.