Ohio Newspaper Obituaries (1845 - Current)

Before the internet, finding an obituary meant hours of searching through physical records or relying on word of mouth. Today, online databases make it easy to trace family histories with just a few clicks. The Ohio obituary collection stands out for its extensive coverage—spanning over 330 years and more than 13,000 newspapers. It bridges generations, uncovering connections that may have once been lost to time. Start your search today and explore your family’s legacy.

Why Use Our Obituary Database?:

• You can find out more about your family's history.
• You can connect with distant family members.
• You can learn about the lives of your ancestors.
• You get access to nearly 150 years of local history.

Simple Guide for Searching the Ohio Obituary Archive

Searching through the archives is simple and straightforward, whether you're just starting to explore your roots or you're adding details to a family tree you already have:

Simply enter the last name of that relative and click on the “Search” button to begin.

For more detailed searches, follow these steps:

• Step 1: Enter the first, middle, and last names to get more precise results.
• Step 2: Include a keyword, like a school or town, to narrow down your results.
• Step 3: Exclude certain keywords to filter out unrelated entries.
• Step 4: Adding a range of years can be useful since many people have the same name.
• Step 5: Change how the results are sorted—by best matches, newest, or oldest.

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

• Begin with recent relatives, then work your way back to the older ones.
• Try searching using initials, as older obituaries often used them instead of full names.
• If you're looking for information about a female relative, try searching under their married name.
• Check out for common misspellings, as names weren't always spelled correctly in older records.

Additional Resources to Consider:

• US newspaper archives
• Records of births and marriages
• Passenger lists
• Government publications
• Social Security Death Index
• Archives focusing on different cultural groups
  

Start with GenealogyBank to trace your family history and go back further in time than you have ever been. For more details, visit GenealogyBank Learning Center.