Boston Herald (Boston, Massachusetts) Newspaper Archives (1848 - 2018)

The Boston Herald obituary collection is an excellent resource for anyone starting genealogy research in Massachusetts. Learning how to navigate these archives unlocks a vast trove of information preserved in newspapers across the country.

Why Explore Local Obituaries in the Boston Herald Obituary Archives?

• Discover new branches of your family tree.
• Connect with family members you haven’t met.
• Learn the stories of your ancestors.
• Access nearly 150 years of local history.

Interestingly, 95% of the records on GenealogyBank can’t be found anywhere else online.

How to Search Boston Herald Obituary Archives

Start by entering your relative’s last name and clicking the "Search" button. This is a great first step in learning more about your family history.

For a more detailed search, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Enter your relative’s first and last names. Adding a middle name can narrow your results.
• Step 2: Add keywords like a town or school to make your search more specific.
• Step 3: Exclude certain words to filter out unrelated results.
• Step 4: Set a range of years to help with common names.
• Step 5: Sort the results by best matches, newest, or oldest entries.

Here are some strategies to help you find the right information:

• Start with recent ancestors and work your way back.
• Search by initials, as older obituaries often used initials instead of full names.
• For female relatives, try searching under their married name.
• Consider common misspellings, as names weren’t always spelled correctly in older records.

Other Useful Collections to Explore:

• U.S. newspaper archives
• Birth and marriage records
• Passenger lists
• Government publications
• Social Security Death Index
• Cultural heritage archives for various ethnic groups

Start your search with GenealogyBank to trace your family history further than ever before. For more tips, visit the GenealogyBank Learning Center.