I was transcribing obituaries for Find A Grave recently and was once again reminded of all the hidden genealogy gems they contain. How many can you find?
From page 7 of the March 11, 1892 edition of the Chicago Daily News;
“QUINLAN-March 10, 1892, BRIDGET, the beloved daughter of Patrick and the late Bridget Quinlan, aged 16 years. Funeral Saturday, at 9:30 from her father’s residence, 78 Edgar-st., to Annunciation church, where high mass will be celebrated; thence to N.W.R.R. depot by cars to Calvary cemetery.”
“SCOTT-At his residence, 259 S. May-st., March 11, JAMES, beloved husband of Ellen Scott (nee Nugent), member of Court Col. Mulligan, No. 86, I.O.F., aged 42 years. Funeral Sunday, at 9 a.m., from above address, to St. Patrick’s church, thence by carriages to Calvary cemetery.”
“TUCKER-March 9, 1892, at 46[?]3 State-st., JOHN J., beloved son of James and Kittie Tucker (nee O’Conner). Funeral Friday, March 11, at 9 a.m., by carriages to Calvary cemetery.”
“WELCH-March 10, 1892, MAGGIE WELCH (nee Cagney), beloved wife of Timothy Welch and daughter of Catherine and the late Richard Cagney. Funeral Sunday, March 13, 1892, at 9 a.m., from her late residence, 310 Henry-st., to the Jesuit church, thence to Calvary via C.M. & S.P. R.R.”
“WELLS-SILAS EDWARD, beloved son of James and Lulu Wells, aged 1 year and 4 months. Funeral from parents’ residence, 3139 Parnell-av., Friday, March 11, at 10 a.m., by carriages to Calvary.”
Here’s my Top 10 List of clues (okay, 14 – it was a treasure trove!) from the obituaries above. Do you see any others?
- Existence (entire lives lived between census records)
- Last residence
- Parents’ names and addresses
- Parents’ mortality (child of the late …)
- Age at time of death (use to estimate year of birth)
- Religion
- Specific church affiliation
- Economic status (train car or carriage)
- Name of spouse
- In-laws’ given names and/or surname
- Surname of maternal grandparents
- Club memberships
- Place of burial
- Political affiliation (i.e. choice of newspaper)
where2look4ancestors 