| Obituaries offer a wealth of information about | | | | Maximizing the Genealogical Value of Obituaries |
| your family. They have important facts about the | | | | Once you've read and reread the obituary and |
| deceased and important dates that you can use | | | | you've underlined the important pieces of |
| to piece together clues about the history of your | | | | information, the next step is to organize the |
| family. Here's how you can find details to research | | | | information in a way you can access later and |
| from obituaries. | | | | have a complete understanding of what it is you |
| We all think differently and we all have different | | | | found important. You can download forms for |
| ways of processing information, which makes | | | | free that can help you research genealogical clues |
| genealogy and ancestry research very confusing. | | | | from obituaries at Obituarieshelp.org |
| Different historians and different family members | | | | The first thing to do is copy down the information |
| keep records in different ways so sometimes | | | | point by point. Then make notes about each point. |
| finding the facts you need to piece together a | | | | Questions to ask yourself as you go through each |
| family history are elusive. | | | | point are: |
| There are thousands of databases out there | | | | - What information does this clue provide? |
| claiming to have the answers, but in reality if you | | | | - What public or historical records exist that will |
| are disorganized, those databases are only going | | | | provide further information? |
| to make the confusion worse. And to top it off | | | | - Where can I find those records? |
| repetition in names, facts and even certain dates | | | | The notes you make about each point can be |
| can cause further confusion. To clear up the | | | | anything related to genealogy research: |
| confusion, here is the basic guideline of what to | | | | - Personal notes - maybe you were reminded |
| look for in an obituary and how to keep it all | | | | about a conversation you had with a relative |
| organized. | | | | about this point. |
| Searching for Clues in Obituaries | | | | - Family history notes - maybe another ancestor |
| An obituary is the final record of a person's life, | | | | was a member of the same organization. |
| information is included that can lead you to some | | | | - Notes about what you'll want to research about |
| amazing discoveries about your family. When you | | | | this information - perhaps you want to look up |
| look at an obituary it is important that you | | | | how long this person was a member of this |
| pinpoint those bits of information and make a | | | | organization. |
| note of them. First read the obituary through | | | | - Where records that expand on this information |
| once or twice just to get an idea of the | | | | might exist - make notes as to where you can |
| information included. Then underline the important | | | | find the answers to your questions. |
| pieces of information. Read it over again to make | | | | Other notes might include tidbits of information |
| sure you underlined everything of importance. | | | | from: |
| Here are the things you will want to look for in an | | | | - Phone book |
| obituary: | | | | - City business directory |
| - The deceased's full name | | | | - Internet |
| - Age | | | | - Church directory |
| - Gender | | | | - School databases |
| - Date of birth | | | | Taking the time to go through obituaries carefully |
| - Date of death | | | | can go a long way to helping you find clues to |
| - Place or City of Residence | | | | your family history and connecting you to your |
| - Occupation | | | | ancestors and relatives. Names, places, and dates |
| - Military Service | | | | are just the starting point. There is so much to |
| - Church Affiliation | | | | learn from obituaries, but you have to read |
| - Life events | | | | between the lines. Not all the information will be |
| - Awards or Accomplishments | | | | there ready for you to see, you'll have to do a |
| - Names of survivors | | | | little digging and a little research. Making notes and |
| - Place where funeral or memorial service is held | | | | keeping your notes organized will help you get the |
| - Place of internment | | | | information you are looking for. |