Where Can I Find Old Obituaries?

Where can I find old obituaries? Since obituaries are often printed in newspapers, accessing old obituaries may be as simple as locating the correct newspaper, accessing the archives, and finding the correct entry. Most newspapers offer these services free to the public, and they are available online. However, some obituaries may only be obtained by a visual search using the actual newspaper often found on microfilm in libraries.

People searching their genealogy often need to access obituary archives to search for long lost relatives. The first place to look would be at the newspaper’s online obituary resources. Some newspapers have online archives; however, these may only go back a few years to when the newspaper started its online presence. If the online information does not go back far enough, people interested in obituaries can also try contacting the newspaper directly. They may provide the information by going to the archives and copying the requested information.

Another option is to visit a local library, either public or college. Many libraries keep archived newspapers on microfilm or microfiche. These can go back as early as when the newspaper began printing. Unfortunately, there are no indexes for obituaries, so people looking for information may have to read many names and dates to find the correct information. This could be a long and tedious process depending on whether or not the exact date of death is known.

Some genealogy websites can be useful especially if physical access to the library, for instance due to distance, is impossible. As more people look for their ancestors through obituary records, more resources become available to aid in the search.

A final option is to use a document retrieval service and avoid doing the legwork. For a fee, these companies send people to the library or newspaper office and find the information. They then provide a copy of the requested information.

Using obituaries is a good way to track down long lost relatives or to find out about surviving relatives. All public records are free provided you know where and how to retrieve them.