How to Find Old Obituaries When There Is No Death Certificate

1. Search for "Cards of Thanks"

 In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it was customary for a grieving family to take out a small, paid classified ad thanking the community, doctors, and neighbors for their help during an ancestor's final illness.

• The Strategy: Search the newspaper archives for the phrase "Card of Thanks" combined with your family's last name.

• The Breakthrough: These notices were often published a week or two after the death. Even if the newspaper didn't run a formal obituary, a "Card of Thanks" proves the timeline of the death and often lists the names of surviving children who signed the notice.

2. Look for Lodge and Fraternal Resolutions

Millions of ancestors belonged to fraternal organizations like the Freemasons, the Odd Fellows, or the Woodmen of the World. When a member died, the lodge would frequently publish a formal "Resolution of Respect" in the local paper.

• The Strategy: Search the local newspaper for your ancestor's surname alongside terms like "resolution," "lodge," "brother," or "respect."

• The Breakthrough: These resolutions often bypass the standard obituary page entirely, appearing in the "Local News" or "Society" columns. They confirm the ancestor's death date and provide incredible insight into their social standing and community involvement.

3. Search for the Husband's Name (for Female Ancestors)

Finding obituaries for women in the 1800s and early 1900s can be incredibly frustrating due to historical naming conventions.

• The Strategy: Instead of searching for "Mary Smith," search for "Mrs. John Smith" or simply "wife of John Smith."

• The Breakthrough: Women's first names were frequently omitted from newspaper headlines. An obituary might simply read, “The beloved wife of local blacksmith Thomas Miller passed away yesterday.” Searching by the husband’s name, or searching the address where they lived using our Census & Population Collections, can unlock these hidden notices.

4. Expand Your Search Radius

Ancestors didn't always die in the town where they spent their lives. They may have passed away at a regional hospital, a state institution, or while living with a daughter in a neighboring county during their final years.

• The Strategy: If you cannot find an obituary in their hometown paper, search the newspapers of surrounding counties, or the town where their adult children lived.

• The Breakthrough: It was very common for an obituary to be published in the town where the ancestor died, with a note stating, "Remains were shipped back to [Hometown] for burial."