How to Find Information on Someone Who Died

Finding information on the deceased can fill in your family tree.

The loss of a loved one or a respected figure often leaves an abundance of questions. Frequently, these questions concern the deceased's life, from the basics of his or her birth to more complex, personal queries on his thoughts and opinions. The search for information may seem daunting, but by consulting public records, speaking to friends and families, and networking with city institutions, you can build a portrait of the life and times of the departed.

Instructions

1. Read the obituary published by the paper in which the subject passed away to gain vital statistics that will guide your search for information. Obituaries often contain the deceased's dates of birth and death; names of spouses, siblings, children and parents; and organizations to which the departed belonged. This information will be essential as you search genealogical websites and organizations, and can help you start your database of contacts who knew the deceased and can give you information. A simple Internet search of the name of the deceased will often lead you to recent news articles, including obituaries.

2. Speak to members of the deceased family, as well as former friends, co-workers and community members. This will allow you to collect information that you won't find in newspaper clips or online. Things such as the deceased favorite colors, foods, places to visit, ways to pass the time and special memories will help you develop a more fully-realized profile of his life.

3. Subscribe to a genealogy website that will give you access to thousands of census lists, birth and death certificates, and (in some cases) photographs and other important documents. Sites such as Ancestry.com and Genealogy.com often require a paid membership, but you can also access the documents through a free trial. If you are looking for information on a very specific person, a free trial may give you all the time you need. The USGenWeb Project is another excellent resource, and is free to any user, although its archives are far more limited.

4. Contact the city or town hall of the deceased. Many cities and towns have archives and historical societies and they can supplement the information you've gathered. Obtaining birth, marriage and death certificate copies often costs a nominal fee, but these documents can clear up questions as to the important dates in the deceased's life. If you are researching someone who passed away in the past 200 years, city halls and archives may have information on the deceased's address and other records that you will not find online. The easiest way to contact these resources is through their website; city or town halls often have pages with their contact information.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep a detailed file with all of your findings in a safe, easy-to-access spot in your home. If you save Internet files, make sure to back these files up often, and to print copies in case of emergency.

References

• Ancestry.com
• Genealogy.com
• USGenWeb Project

Resources

• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy by Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls