Death Record Finder - Finding an Ancestor in Death Records and Substitutes

Most genealogists search death records such as Cemetery records, Obituaries and Vital Stats (Death Registrations or Certificates). If we don't find our ancestor in one of those death records, we're stuck! Where to search next? The ADF (Ancestor Death Finder) can help.

What happens when a loved one dies? What events take place around the death of a family member? What kind of death record paper trail is created on the death of an individual? The answers to these questions will lead you to other sources of death records and hopefully end that brick-wall.

When an ancestor dies, many records of that death might be created. Let's talk about records kept before an ancestor death and those created after a death.

Was your ancestor ill before death? Look for records of your ancestor in health care records before death
* Hospital Records & Receipts
* Doctor's Bill & Receipts
* Druggist, Pharmacy and Store Bills & Receipts

Your Ancestor Dies - what happens now? Depending on the type of death (accident, suicide, murder) an inquest might be held. A coroner's report might be filed. There may be a newspaper account of the death. There will be a doctor certificate of death and possibly registration of the death.Look for death records in
* Coroner's inquest
* Court records
* Newspaper accounts
* Doctor's certificate of death
* Church Record of Death
* Death Registration in Vital Stats

Friends and relatives have to be notified so look for death records in
* Funeral Cards
* Obituary
* Death Notices

Continue reading this Deatch Recorder Finder article for more tips and suggestsions on finding Death Records for an ancestor