Hello Everyone,
I have uploaded a copy of the WPA Death Index (1882-1920) to the web site.
You'll find it by clicking on either the "Adams Co." button or the
"Research" button.
You should know that I have tried to keep the web version as an exact copy
of the index in the Decatur Public Library and the Health Department. There
are, however, errors in the A-M section due to the scanning process that
have not yet been corrected. But I thought that even with those errors, the
index would be helpful. I'll get those corrected as soon as I can. The N-Z
section has been proof read and should reflect the original.
There are errors in the original index, due to transcription errors when the
index was created (poor or illegible handwriting in the original documents
was most often the cause). Also, you should not use the PicoSearch index to
try to search for two reasons. First, the death index is not searchable yet
because of the number of documents on the web site. Second, because I've
kept the original spelling as in the index (I have no way of verifying each
and every name) you could get false reports. For example the name Runyon is
also spelled Runion and Smitley is also spelled Smitly.
To find someone, go to the specific section of the alphabet, and then scan
through that section.
You should not cite this index as a source for the documentation of your
research, as it is not a primary document. But use it as a tool to find the
original source documents (click on the Research button to find out how to
request a death certificate or other vital records). Note, too, that many
deaths, particularly in the early years, were not reported and will not
appear in the index or in the County death records. For example, my
g-g-grandfather John Singleton died in 1888 (from his tombstone in Alpha
Cemetery) but there is no record of his death, nor is there an obituary, as
the newspapers from that year were destroyed in a fire.
Good luck and good research. Later to come, the birth and marriages indexes.
Tim Singleton, tsingleton(a)iclub.org
Volunteer INGenWeb Coordinator
Adams Co. -
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inadams
Randolph Co. -
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inrandol/