Genealogy Chat

Hello All,

Thought I would share this tip with you!

I have recently found my great grandfathers obituary in the local paper and what a wealth of information it gives!!

Not only does it give the place where he lived in 1917, but his place of work, his 2nd father in laws name (which I didn't know) and also the name of his sons regiment (another fact I didn't know). Plus lots of personal information about his life.

If you are stuck give the obits a whirl and see what you can find.

Sandra

Hi Sandra

Can you tell me where to find the Obits?, I know this sounds daft, but are they on ancestry as I only seem to use the BMD and Censuses.

Thanks
Tracie.

Hi i also am trying to find obituies re my father who died in 1986 may 14th in westminster. also i am trying to trace possable a relative who lived in paddington london. i have the address in 1986
thank you jo xx

Hi,
Obituaries are a brilliant source of information for the various reasons given above. I have found new family members after ploughing my way through the local papers at our Central Library. Approximate date of death is required or you go screen blind.
Another excellent source of information is if you contact the local council, Cemeteries Department. If the name you are looking for is not too common and you ask for a list of those buried in the various cemeteries,they have been really helpful and sent me list of names, plot number, age and service dates.With that info I have been able to place husbands and wives together and occasionally a young child into their family groups.
Well worth the effort.
Paul

Nudge

Hi Tracie,
Sorry for not replying sooner, been out all day!!

I found access in my local studies library. It did mean trawling through the local paper on microfiche but I did know the death date form BMD register, so only had to look through 3 months of newpapers. As David says you do go a bit screen blind!
Lucky for me though the obituary was on the 9th Feb and quite a large piece, but it was interesting to look at the other stories that were happening at the time.

You soon become absorbed

Best of luck
Sandra

My great-great-grandfather met a watery end when he fell into a canal catching water voles. I found his obituary the hard way, by visiting the British Library's newspaper archive in Colindale Avenus, North London and spending an hour or two searching through the local papers.

I notice the British Library is in the process of digitising its vast collection, but the online archive is only available to universities and colleges.

Can't wait to find other obituaries, maybe I will find an nusual tale like Sean's or a dastardly deed.

Rumour has it that one of my families relatives threw his wife down the stairs to marry his mistress!

Maybe her obituary will reveal some unsual facts about her death????

Does anyone have an unusual tale from the obituaries?

Thanks Sandra for your reply. I will have to arrange a trip into London I think. lol

Best wishes
Tracie.