how do i find obituaries in us by name? in 2024

Finding obituaries in the U.S. by name can be done using several online resources and methods. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you locate obituaries by name:

1. Use Online Obituary Databases

Several websites are dedicated to storing and organizing obituaries. You can search these databases by name:

• Legacy.com: One of the largest online obituary databases. Simply enter the name of the deceased in the search bar and specify any additional details like location or date of death to refine your search.
• Tributes.com: Another large database where you can search by name and filter results by location or date.
• GenealogyBank.com: A subscription-based service that offers access to millions of obituaries from newspapers across the U.S. Search by name, and you can also filter by location and date.
• ObitsArchive.com: A paid service that allows you to search a wide range of newspaper obituaries by name.

2. Search Local Newspaper Websites

Many local newspapers have digitized their obituary sections, allowing you to search by name directly on their websites:

• Local Newspaper Websites: Visit the website of the local newspaper in the area where the person lived. Many newspapers have a dedicated obituary section where you can search by name.
• Google Search: Sometimes a simple Google search with the person’s name followed by “obituary” and the location can yield results. For example, “John Doe obituary Chicago” might bring up relevant obituaries.

3. Use Genealogy Websites

Genealogy websites often have extensive obituary collections, which can be searched by name:

• Ancestry.com: A paid service that provides access to a vast collection of obituaries and other records. You can search by name and refine your search based on dates, locations, and other criteria.
• FamilySearch.org: A free genealogy site that offers access to obituary records. Search by name to find relevant obituaries.

4. Check Funeral Home Websites

Many funeral homes post obituaries on their websites, and these are often searchable by name:

• Funeral Home Websites: If you know the funeral home that handled the services, visit their website and use their obituary search tool, if available.
• Google Search: You can also search the person’s name along with “funeral home” to find the obituary.

5. Visit Libraries and Archives

If you’re unable to find the obituary online, you can visit local libraries or state archives that may have physical or digital copies of old newspapers:

• Local Libraries: Libraries often have archives of local newspapers. You can search for the obituary by name in these archives, which may be available in digital form or on microfilm.
• State Archives: State archives often have extensive collections of newspapers and can assist you in locating obituaries by name.

6. Utilize Social Media and Forums

Sometimes, social media platforms or online forums can help in finding obituaries:

• Facebook: Search for the person’s name in Facebook’s search bar, especially in groups or pages dedicated to local communities.
• Reddit: The r/Genealogy subreddit is a place where you can ask for help in locating specific obituaries.

7. Contact the Newspaper Directly

If you know the specific newspaper that might have published the obituary, you can contact them directly:

• Newspaper Archives Departments: Many newspapers have an archives department that can assist you in locating an obituary by name.

By following these steps, you should be able to locate obituaries in the U.S. by name. The key is to use the right resources and refine your search criteria as needed.