We are going to see if it will copy into this email.
AN ANCESTORS DEATH - A TIME OF "REAPING"
Notes from the meeting by Curt Witcher , Manager of
the Allen County Genealogy Department on Wednesday,
November 3, 1999 At the Eckhart Public Library
As a true Historical Researcher, we must be
DETECTIVES, ANALYZE, utilize METHODOLOGY and always
asking WHY?
The most record generating event in a person's life is
their death.
After the emotional period of a death has occurred, we
need the methodology to analyze the records left to
us. Be observant to details.
a. At death-the Body, Undertaker/burial
b. Soul- Church or spiritual services.
c. Personal Property/Real Property records.
At time of death, the first record is the obituary or
death notice. Know the difference between a notice of
death and the obituary. The death notice usually
states name of individual, date of death and possibly
the place of death.* The obituary gives more details,
where the individual was born, spouse, where death
occurred, siblings, children, church affiliation, etc.
Think through the statements in the records.
Question WHY?, WHY?, WHY? Be a good detective. Each
detail in an obituary can be a source of more records
such as cemetery records, church records, funeral
records and marriage records.
If a person was born in another area or lived in
another area, check the papers for that area for a
death notice or obituary. Small town newspapers may
have more of a history on the individual and the
family.
What was the religious affiliation. Check for church
records, religious newspapers or religious magazines
for the period.
What professional groups did they belong to? Check
records of all groups and private organizations.
Check with Libraries and Historical Groups for
information about the groups and organizations.
Analyze the Obituary it can be a springboard to small
town papers that are a rich source of genealogical
data.
The BODY- Check burial customs of that period. Was
it before the time of undertakers? If so, check
hardware store records, or other business records.
Material needed to be purchased to make a box for
burial.
Undertaker records. Know the difference between
burial records and Funeral Records. The burial
records are the cost incurred (Business records). If
not a prepaid funeral, they were records of payments
for burial from the estate or people who are still
living. The Funeral records show date of birth, date
of death, informant, lot number, Pall Barers (usually
relatives or friends), and may show where individual
was born, and possible personal information.
If searching in an area out of your locality, check
The National Yellow Book of Funeral Directors (if not
in your local library, check with your local funeral
home for the names of out of town funeral parlors).
Funeral Home Directors can be one of your most helpful
sources of information, you'll find about 85% of them
will be willing to assist you. Remember, most funeral
homes are willing to assist, they want your future
business.
Other records to check: casket company records,
Monument company records, Funeral Home Register,
Memorial cards, Permits for burial, Always asking
Why in analyzing these records.
The Soul What was the Church affiliation? Why did
they use the service of the Priest or Minister? Was
there more than one person officiating at the service?
If so, WHY? Question everything and analyze. Play
detective.
Check the records of the church. Some churches have
detailed records showing if the individual transferred
from another area, or transferred to another church,
baptism records, marriage records, etc. There are
some churches where records are sparse, This depends
on the church officer.
Cemeteries. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION important to
check tombstone location. Where are they buried, why
buried there? Other relatives in the area? Close
friends?
Check the cemetery (tombstone) records and the sexton
(business) records.
On old tombstones, before monument makers, the stone
carver may have carved his name on the lower part of
the stone, Look carefully at the tombstone front and
back for clues, if there are symbols or art work, ask
WHY and analyze. Some monument makers puts out a
temporary monument, if so, check for possible clues.
One must have an inquisitive mind to be a good
historical researcher.
CIVIL Records-Find out when death records were first
required in the state, then focus on towns. They may
have recorded deaths before the state. Death
registration was first required in Indiana in 1882. A
source often overlooked, prior to official death
records is the publication of the annual reports of
the town. This is especially true in small towns
where they often recorded who was born, married or
died during the year.
Wills and Probate records are essential tools of the
researcher. Wills may give clues to the living
relatives, disposal of assets, type of assets, clues
to the individual's life style, etc. Ask yourself
WHY on each part of the record. Analyze, tear it
apart, and do not read over important details.
When a courthouse makes the statement, Oh that was
destroyed in the fire of such and such a time check
for other records. If the will was destroyed, check
for probate, if they were destroyed check for land
records, keep looking and asking yourself How can I
find this information in another area.
If you go to a cemetery and find flowers or other
articles that have been left at a gravesite, that's a
clue that there are probably descendents still in the
area. It will help to know the information hierarchy
in an area. The local library will have published
information. The local historical society may have
unpublished material.
Use each record as a springboard to another record.
Never say NEVER. Be a good detective, analyze and ask
WHY
Notes were taken and compiled by Ruth Camarata and
Lucy Funk
*On the DeKalb GenWeb Page, we will be adding death
Notices in a separate file from the Obituaries for the
1860-1869 era. This will be online in the near
future.
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