Massachusetts Newspaper Obituaries (1824 - Current)

How to Search for Massachusetts Obituaries

To begin, we recommend entering the last name of the person you're looking for and clicking the "Search" button. This easy step helps you begin your journey into your family's past.

If you have more details, use them to refine your research with these steps:

• Step 1: Type in the full name to find exact matches or similar obituaries.
• Step 2: Add keywords like a hometown or school to narrow your search.
• Step 3: Exclude certain words to avoid results from unwanted locations or topics.
• Step 4: Define a specific time range if you know when the person lived.
• Step 5: Choose how you want the results sorted—by the oldest, newest, or most relevant matches.

Top Tips for Getting The Best Search Results

Finding the right ancestor, especially if they had a common name, can be tricky. Here are some extra tips to help you get the right information:

• Start with what you know about recent ancestors to track down the correct obituary.
• Search using initials—older obituaries often used them instead of full names.
• Include spouses' names, especially when searching for female ancestors.
• Use a broad date range and minimal name information to uncover entries that might have been spelled or heard incorrectly.

Once you've enjoyed discovering your family history, there are other resources you can use to confirm and expand your findings, such as:

• U.S. Newspaper Archives
• Records of births, marriages, and deaths
• Lists of passengers on ships
• Records from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds

For more help with your genealogical research, check out the GenealogyBank Learning Center. Start building your family tree with us today and find out more about where you come from.