ChicagoCookGenealogy

GENEALOGY LOOK-UPS

OBITUARIES AND INDEXES

 

Obituaries contain valuable inormation for the genealogist. You might find the married name of a female relative, even her marriage date. You might find children you never knew existed. Several generations can be tracked using this resource. 

Some libraries have created AREA indexes which are certainly worth looking at. Ancestry.com has indexes within the Historical Newpapers, Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times and the Obituary Collection databases. (Ancestry.com may be provided by your local library). Another Chicago area researcher has compiled a database of obituaries specific to the Oak Park area. I've provided a link below since she may not come up in a google search. You can Google search "online searchable death indexes" which will connect you to many obit sites that just might have what you need.  Obituaryarchive.com is another. Try these first, since they are free.   

Ancestry.com:(You must have a subscription or use your local library's subscription).

Chicago Sun-Times 1988-1995:  http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=5607

Chicago Tribune 1988-1997: http://www.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=7304

Historical Newspapers (Chicago Tribune Indexes and BMD notices for 1840' s-1985: 

http://content.ancestry.com/iexec/?htx+List&dbid=50000&offerid=0%3a7858%3a0

 

OAK PARK:http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~opindex/

OAK LAWN LIBRARY has indexed obituaries published in many south and southwest suburbs, 1985-current.  OBIT INDEX DATABASE:

Http://www.lib.oak-lawn.il.us/indexsearch.aspx?Sid=LH3

AHML has Arlington Heights BMD notices 1901 - 1920 AND an obit index 1901 - 1998 for Arlington Heights area. These are not online. See their site at:

 http://www.ahml.info/find_information/genealogy.asp?Topic=Genealogy%20and%Biography

If you do not find an index using the above sources, I can try utilizing my electronic subscriptions. Please be aware that not all obit sources are equal; some of the subscriptions contain obits not found elsewhere, and vice-versa! These subscription services are still loading data, and will be for years to come. I have had a very good success rate utilizing my "Super-Combo!  

Once an index has been found I can usually locate obituaries from the following newspapers:

CHICAGO TRIBUNE 1840'S-CURRENT. (SOME ISSUES ARE MISSING BUT AN ELECTRONIC MAY BE AVAILABLE).

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

DAILY SOUTHTOWN (BECAME SOUTHTOWN STAR 11/07)

SOUTHTOWN/STAR

STAR NEWSPAPERS (BECAME SOUTHTOWN/STAR 11/07)

Don't overlook the value of the smaller local papers. Many families could not afford to pay for obituaries; the south and southwest suburbs of Chicago contain many hospitals, some of which are major trauma centers. Local newspapers covered these deaths as a matter of public interest. If an obituary is found in a major paper, I discourage purchasing the local paper obituary. These are usually duplication. However, in some cases this may be the only resource available.

I can obtain obituaries from the following local newspapers:

OAK LAWN INDEPENDENT: 1985-CURRENT

REPORTER: 1985-CURRENT

 

 

 

If you want me to try and find an index for you and/or you wish to order an obituary, please use this link:

http://chicagocookgenealogy.googlepages.com/obituaryindexrequest

 

Good Luck and Happy Hunting!

June