Find an Ancestor: How to Search Online Death Records

Researching one's past can be a long process. Before a person can learn information about their ancestor's, it is important to gather pertinent information such as names and locations of relatives. For the most part, it is easy to learn the names of our great-grandparents, and perhaps our great-great grandparents. Online death records are great for searching our ancestral roots. If looking for a death record, there are plenty of helpful websites. Each death record provides information such as the ancestor's name, place of birth, place of death, etc. Thus, if looking to trace your family history, death records offer more than enough information.

Surname Archive: This online death record index categorizes deaths by surname or last name. This website is not an official death record index. Rather, deaths included within the index are posted by visitors. Sometimes, site visitors add a parent or grandparent's death certificate information. If attempting to research your ancestral past and locate missing relatives, posting a death record with Surname Archive is perfect. This way, your deceased relative's information is searchable. In turn, lost family members can find the record. To begin a search with this online death index, visit http://surnamearchive.com. Next, choose the link, "Search the Death Index Record." The following webpage consist of two options. You may either search death records, or add your own death records. If searching for an ancestor's death record, choose the first option. Enter a last name, date of death, burial location, or location of death, and submit the request. Browse search results until a matching death record is found.

Family Death Records: Another useful website for searching online death indexes is Family Death Records. This website provides a search link for each individual state. To benefit from the search, it helps to know the person's location of death. To start a search, visit http://www.familydeathrecords.com. Next, choose an appropriate state. The next webpage will provide a list of potential search databases. For example, you may search cemetery records, the Social Security death index, or the Death Index. Choose a database and request a search. Provide the deceased relative's first and last name. A few online indexes do not include all death records. Therefore, finding a matching death record may require a search of more than one index.

Social Security Death Index: The Social Security death index is the best online search tool. If the deceased person had a Social Security number, their death is recorded within the index. To begin a quick search, visit http://www.vitalrec.com. This website provides information on various United States vital records. Next, choose the link, "Social Security Death Index." Conduct a free online search by completing the necessary search fields. Required fields include first and last name. If possible, provide a Social Security number and issuing state. You may also take advantage of an advanced search option. Providing additional information such as date of birth, death location, city, and state will narrow down the search results tremendously.

Find a Grave: This website offers additional search links for person's trying to locate a death record. This site is useful for finding an ancestor's grave, or a famous grave. To begin a search, visit http://www.findagrave.com. Under the heading, "Find a Grave," choose a search option. For example, you may conduct a search of 13 million grave records, cemetery records, a surname index, or the Social Security death index. Once a search link is chosen, complete the search fields, and submit the online request. There is even an option that allows visitors to add a burial or death record.