To find an obituary from years ago, you can use several effective methods:
Online Obituary Databases
- Websites like Legacy.com, EverLoved.com, Tributes.com, Obituaries.com , and GenealogyBank.com have extensive searchable databases of obituaries. You can search by name, location, date of death, and other criteria, often for free or for a fee depending on the site
- Genealogy websites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and Findmypast also provide access to historical obituaries and death records as part of their family history tools
Newspaper Archives
- Many newspapers have digitized their archives, allowing you to search for old obituaries online. If you know the newspaper or the town where the person lived or died, start there. Websites like Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank offer searchable historical newspapers dating back centuries
- If the newspaper does not have an online archive, visit the local library or historical society where physical copies or microfilm of newspapers may be available for research
Local Libraries and Historical Societies
- Local libraries and historical societies often maintain archives of newspapers and obituary indexes. Visiting in person or contacting them can help you access physical or microfilmed copies of old obituaries
Cemetery Records and Grave Sites
- Cemetery websites like Find a Grave or Billion Graves sometimes include obituaries or links to obituary databases associated with individual graves
Search Tips
- Use variations of the person's name, including maiden and married names, and consider searching in locations where they lived or had family
- Use common obituary keywords in your search such as "beloved," "passed away," "funeral," "survived by," etc., to improve search results
- Remember obituaries might be published in newspapers from places where the deceased had connections, not just where they died
By combining these approaches-starting with online obituary databases and newspaper archives, then consulting local libraries and historical societies, and expanding your search geographically and by name variations-you can effectively locate obituaries from many years ago
