Listed are indexes and databases designed to help users research California death notices.
Like this site? Hit the +1 button
California obituary records can be a very useful source of information for your genealogy records or for other family tracking reasons. There are ways to research obituaries online and in person. Usually, the best approach for maximum success is to utilize both methods.
By searching online for state obituaries, you can find places that offer this information for the state usually divided by counties. For that reason, it is a good idea to be able to narrow down your search to one or just a handful of counties in California. If you conduct a search using old newspapers, keep in mind that in some places obituaries were only published once a week. In fact, in some smaller or more rural areas, obituaries are still only included on a weekly basis.
If you have the date of death and the correct area but are not finding the obituary you need, try looking for a week up to a month after the date of death. The more information you have as you begin your death records search, the more likely you are to find what you are looking for. Having the county is really important to cutting down the amount of time a search takes, and eliminates some of the frustration.
California has a long, rich history and there is a great deal of data that can be found. For example, an online obituary search for Los Angeles provides one with death information that dates back to at least 1869. You can also use online resources to hunt down contact information for offline locations. Because California is such a large state, it can be a little difficult to search through so much data to find what you need.
Libraries are a valuable source of information about burials and deaths. Having the county helps so that you can locate where it is you should be searching in person. If you can travel to areas in California, contact the library first. For some counties in California, and other states as well, certain records may be housed in one branch or scattered throughout branches within the county. Narrow down your offline search by calling or emailing a library prior to your trip.
If you do not live in or near the county, or in the state of California at all, see if you can enlist the help of a friend who does. Also, do some research to see if you can find a genealogists volunteer site to retrieve data for you.
Be organized and gather as much information before hand as possible. Combining online and offline methods of searching can help improve your chances of finding what you need. Since California is a massive state, finding your state obituary records can be a bit more time consuming, intensive and frustrating. Be patient and you will have a much better chance of finding the California obituary records you are hunting for.
California is a massive state that has many different places to look for these kinds of records. You can start your search for California obituaries with the Newspaper Abstracts website. Simply choose to search California and a large number of listings will be right at your fingertips.
The Ventura County Historical Society has listings online you can search that span 1916 to 1996. This database covers listings that were published in this area in four different newspapers. The Exploring Northeastern California History Society offers access to Lassen County listings through their website. This database has cobbled together over 100 years of area listings and is free to use. The Santa Cruz Public Library System has a database of their own that covers listings from as far back as 1896.
Since this is where Hollywood is located, there is a massive celebrity database located in the Los Angeles Public Library that you can also access online. There are also huge databases you can search for San Francisco County, Solano County, Trinity County and Ventura County online. Finding California obituary records is a simple process as long as you have an idea where the person you are looking for lived or where they were when they passed away.
Listed are indexes and databases designed to help users research California death notices.
There are many different ways to use the Mountain View city website from California to search for an obituary that you would like to find. You can use seeking options such as name, date, and even keywords to locate the right file. Choose the right result from the list and you'll be provided with the related information such as when and where it was printed and how it is currently stored.
When California death notices from the region of Palmdale is required, the library should be a first place to look. The online database has registered and indexed documents from 1983 onward and allows for many different searching options. Seeking by first or last name, or the date of the death or obituary allow for increased odds of success.
The city of Glendale, California, provides a tremendous resource online for discovering and receiving copies of obituaries. Up to three searches can be requested at one time, with additional queries available for five dollars apiece. A complete database is available from 1986 onward, with an extensive incomplete indexing of files from 1881 to 1985.
Below is a list of California newspaper obituaries to aid in genealogical research.
The Huntington Beach Independent, covering news for Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, is a weekly publication focusing on local and community events. Obituaries are listed under "Classifieds" on the toolbar. From there, you will see current obituaries and death notices, as well as previous ones. These are updated each Thursday.
The LA Times, one of the largest metropolitan newspapers in the country, is constantly updated online. The Times posts obituaries on notable figures and residents. For residents, you will find biographical and funeral information, virtual guest books, and photos for the current and previous days. You may also search paid obituaries.
Obituaries printed in the Sacramento Bee are based on community interest and are written by Bee staff. Local luminaries are featured based on service, accomplishments, and other items considered news worthy. Decedents may be nominated for a news obituary, or families may opt to purchase a death notice or remembrance ad.
Reporting on news from the region and around the world, the San Francisco Chronicle publishes celebrity or news-worthy obituaries as well as paid obituaries submitted by family members. These are listed chronologically and also contain virtual guest books readers may sign and a memorial website they may contribute photos and memories to.
Deaths of notable figures are reported on by the Mercury News. Families may purchase paid obituaries for residents, which contain life and funeral information, as well as access to a virtual guest book and memorial site. Readers may access current obituaries, as well as search those up to one week old.
The Santa Barbara Independent is published weekly but continually updated online. The Independent provides news coverage, as well as arts and entertainment features. Death notices are published for free, and for a small fee, families can choose an extended obituary with more detailed information. Readers may view current obituaries are search from 2007-2009.
Public Records
Court Records
Criminal Records
Birth Records
Death Records
Marriage Records
Divorce Records
Genealogy Records