Bostonglobe Obits
A Beginner's Guide to Navigating BostonGlobe Obits: Remembering Lives, Finding Information
The Boston Globe obituaries, or "Bostonglobe Obits," are more than just announcements of death. They are a rich archive of life stories, a window into Boston’s history, and a valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and anyone seeking to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones. This guide will walk you through the basics of understanding and using Bostonglobe Obits, avoiding common pitfalls, and extracting the information you need.
What are Bostonglobe Obits?
Simply put, Bostonglobe Obits are death notices published in *The Boston Globe* newspaper and its online platforms. They provide a summary of a person's life, including key details like their name, date of death, place of death, age, occupation, family members, and funeral arrangements. More elaborate obituaries often include biographical information, highlighting accomplishments, hobbies, and personal qualities.
Why Use Bostonglobe Obits?
There are several reasons why you might want to access Bostonglobe Obits:
- Genealogical Research: Obits are a goldmine for family history research. They often list family members (parents, siblings, spouses, children, grandchildren), providing crucial links in your family tree.
- Historical Context: Obits offer glimpses into the past. They can reveal details about social trends, community involvement, and the lives of ordinary people who contributed to Boston's story.
- Remembering Loved Ones: Obits serve as lasting tributes to deceased individuals. They provide a space to share memories, express condolences, and celebrate a life well-lived.
- Finding Information About Funeral Services: Obits typically include details about funeral arrangements, such as the date, time, and location of the service.
- Discovering Connections: You might find connections to people you know or are researching through the family members listed in obituaries.
- Obituary: A written notice of a person's death, usually published in a newspaper or online.
- Death Notice: A shorter, more basic announcement of a death, often paid for by the family.
- Funeral Home: The establishment that handles funeral arrangements and often assists with writing and submitting obituaries.
- In Memoriam: A paid announcement published on the anniversary of a death, often expressing remembrance and love.
- Archive: A collection of historical records, in this case, past obituaries.
- Indexing: The process of creating an index to help users find specific information within a large collection of data, like obituaries.
- Start with the Basics: Begin with the person's full name and estimated date of death.
- Use Variations of the Name: Try different spellings of the name, including nicknames or middle names. For example, search for "Robert Smith," "Bob Smith," and "Rob Smith."
- Date Ranges: If you don't know the exact date of death, use a range of dates. Start with a broad range and narrow it down as needed.
- Keywords: Add keywords like "Boston," "Cambridge," or the person's occupation to refine your search.
- Boolean Operators: Some search engines allow you to use Boolean operators like "AND," "OR," and "NOT" to combine search terms. For example, "Smith AND Boston" would search for obituaries that mention both "Smith" and "Boston."
- Wildcards: Use wildcards like "*" or "?" to represent unknown characters in a name. For example, "Smit*" might find "Smith," "Smyth," or "Smitty."
- Check for Misspellings: Typos can happen. Try searching for common misspellings of the name.
- Consider Maiden Names: If searching for a woman, try searching for her maiden name as well.
- Subscription Costs: Be aware that accessing older obituaries online often requires a subscription to *The Boston Globe* or a genealogy website.
- Incomplete Indexing: Not all obituaries are indexed perfectly. Some names might be misspelled or omitted from the index. This means a negative search result doesn't guarantee the absence of an obituary.
- Limited Information: Death notices are often very brief and may not contain much biographical information.
- Privacy Concerns: Be mindful of the privacy of living individuals mentioned in obituaries.
- Assumptions: Don't assume that everyone who lived in Boston had an obituary published in *The Boston Globe*.
- Scenario 1: Finding an Obituary for John Doe, who died around 1995.
- Scenario 2: Researching the Smith Family in Boston in the early 20th century.
Key Concepts and Terminology
Before diving in, let's clarify some key terms:
Accessing Bostonglobe Obits
There are a few ways to access Bostonglobe Obits:
1. The Boston Globe Website: The official website (bostonglobe.com) has a dedicated obituaries section. You can search for obituaries by name, date, or keywords. Note that accessing older obituaries (typically pre-1980) might require a subscription.
2. Genealogy Websites: Websites like Ancestry.com and GenealogyBank.com often have indexed collections of Bostonglobe Obits. Accessing these records usually requires a paid subscription to the genealogy website.
3. Libraries: Many libraries, particularly in the Boston area, have physical archives of *The Boston Globe* or microfilm/digital copies that you can access for free. The Boston Public Library is a particularly valuable resource.
Searching Effectively: Tips and Tricks
Searching Bostonglobe Obits can be tricky. Here are some tips to improve your search results:
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Practical Examples
Let's consider a few hypothetical scenarios:
* Start by searching "John Doe" in the Bostonglobe Obits section on the *Boston Globe* website, using a date range of 1990-2000.
* If no results appear, try variations like "John A. Doe" or "Jack Doe."
* If still no luck, try adding keywords like "Boston" or "Cambridge" to narrow the search.
* If you know his occupation, add that as a keyword (e.g., "John Doe teacher").
* Consider checking genealogy websites or visiting the Boston Public Library if the online search is unsuccessful.
* Start by searching for "Smith" in the Bostonglobe Obits section, using a date range of 1900-1950.
* Browse the results to identify potential family members.
* Look for common surnames and locations mentioned in the obituaries to establish connections.
* Use the information found in the obituaries to search for other records, such as census data or birth/marriage certificates.
Conclusion
Bostonglobe Obits are a valuable resource for anyone interested in genealogy, history, or simply remembering loved ones. By understanding the key concepts, employing effective search strategies, and avoiding common pitfalls, you can unlock a wealth of information and gain a deeper appreciation for the lives and stories of those who shaped Boston's history. Remember to be patient, persistent, and respectful as you navigate this rich archive of human experience. Good luck with your search!
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