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Obituaries--A Valuable Resource

© Deanna Corbeil

I can't leave until I've read the obituaries! Have you developed the habit of eyeing the obituary page each morning to see if anyone you know has passed away? What is it about obituaries and death notices that fascinates us? Certainly most of us don’t have a morbid obsession with death. But where else can you find a succinctly written summary of someone’s life? Obituaries are a popular section of the newspaper because they are small celebrations of the individual. And because they often contain information you might not find elsewhere, the obituaries of your ancestors can be a valuable place to do family history research. In addition, they tell us much about the changing history of America.

While delving into your family’s history, you’ve probably come across some copies of old newspaper obituaries. Finding some obituaries, and reading the faded, yellowing newsprint is what initiated my journey into discovering my own family history. While growing up, I had only paid scant attention to the names I had heard mentioned by my grandparents (as is true of many youngsters!). But as a woman in my early 30s, I started reading the obituaries of many of these people. Suddenly, those names started coming to life.

According to Janice Hume, historian at Kansas State University, obituaries have had basically the same format since colonial times. In her book Obituaries in American Culture, Hume explains how obituaries are a public expression of our values as a culture, and how those values have changed over the years. They also help to illuminate Americans’ views of death.

19th Century Obituaries In the 1800s, obituaries tended to concentrate on an individual’s personal characteristics. A man might be described as honest, courageous, or faithful. For example, my great-great-grandfather’s 1889 obituary relates the following details:

• ”Another light gone out, another pioneer has passed away. . .He toiled and labored night and day, as did all old settlers in those days. . .A kind husband and loving father, a good citizen and willing neighbor. . .ever ready to lend a helping hand when needed.”

Nowhere in the entire obituary is there a mention made about how he made a living.

Women’s obituaries in the 1800s more often than not emphasized the relationships they had with others, especially men. An example of this is shown in my great-great-grandmother’s obituary:

• ”The daughter of Mr. . .Her father’s family consisted of.. . .She was married to. . .Her husband died in. . .She was united in marriage to her second husband. . .She was the last member of her father’s family.”