GENEALOGY 104

 USING AN OBITUARY 

The obit above for John McDermott dated June 19, 1909 from the Scranton Times of Pennsylvania is an encyclopedia of this man's life!!!

Here's how to use all that information when researching your own family tree. Let's take it piece by piece.

He was one of the earliest settlers of Scranton Pa. and worked for the railroad specifically the Bloom Division of the Lackawanna Railroad.

At this point, you already can consult historical books about the Bloom Division of the Lackawanna Railroad and Mr. McDermott becomes more than a name. You can research his life in full color! He helped BUILD the railroad through Pennsylvania!

You also know that he was old. Getting his death certificate now that you know he died on June 19, 1909 will be a cinch.

His death certificate will tell you his parents names, where he was born, where his parents were born, what he died from, what relative was the informant, how old he was and where he was buried.

He died at his home on Hampton Street.

Now you know where he lived. Going to the 1909 Scranton Directory will tell you the exact address. His children are listed below in the obit. While McDermott was a fairly common Irish name, knowing his street and his children's names will leave little doubt as to who is who when you open to the McDermott page in that directory. Then using the directories from before and after 1909 you can trace the entire family's movements through time.

His wife died four years ago.

You know that his wife died about 1905. Now you can find her death certificate and obituary.

He is survived by his children Anna, John, William, Thomas, Joseph, Frank and Mary.

WOW! You just found his whole family. You also know there is no need to look for any death certificates for any of them prior to June 19, 1909. You also know the daughters are not married otherwise they would be listed under their married names.

The funeral is at St. Patrick's church and he is buried in Cathedral Cemetery.

So you know he and his family belonged to St. Patrick's Parish. Therefore, the church would have records of all baptisms and marriages pertaining to his children.

AND...most importantly you know where he, his family, possibly his ancestors and siblings are buried and where his children most likely would be buried also. Finding the headstones will give you dates. Obtaining the grave record will tell you everyone buried with him and when-even people you many not have even known about. The grave record will also tell you who owned the plot and their address and how many years that person cared for the grave.

This is just one example of an obituary. Other obits may tell you if his children lived in another city or even mention things such as "Mr. McDermott was a native of County Limerick, Ireland."

When searching for an obituary in New Jersey, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago or Los Angeles WE at FCBoutique can help you. Please check out our auctions for obituaries here on EBAY and please go to our EBAY "ME" Page for more info about us and our services!!

Happy Hunting!