Recently, I gave a workshop on how to write a genealogy friendly obituary. We chose a fictional character as the deceased. The workshop involved the pertinent information every obituary should contain.

As an example, I used my grandmother’s obituary. Primadine Appleby, a strong-willed family lady lived a full 97 years, but you wouldn’t know that from her short obituary. Seventy-five years from now, the genealogist finding her obituary will be left with several questions. Who were her parents? Where was she born? Did she have any siblings?


Key Information for the Genealogy Friendly Obituary

1. Full name - Spell out the name instead of using initials. For women, state their maiden name.

2. Age at death - This is important if the date of birth is not given.

3. Date of death - It has only been the last decade or so that obituaries have contained this vital information.

4. Place of birth - A further search of the birth place may uncover family headstones and church records, and will narrow the search in census records.

5. Both Parents’ Names - There may have been three John MacDonalds in Dartmouth. If parents are listed as Mr. and Mrs. John MacDonald, the correct family is unclear. Include the mother’s maiden name.

NOTE: Often the parents that raised the child, are not the birth parents. I believe there is room in an obituary for both, birth parents (if known) and adopted parents, to be stated as such. Of course, this depends on individual choice.

6. Full names of spouse(s) (and the order they were married) - It is easier to find records if the proper surnames are known.   

7. Names of children - Researchers look for descendants to extend the tree limbs, and hopefully contact if they are still living.

8. Life’s employment - Include this for both men and women. Knowing someone worked in Halifax for ten years can lead to further records.

9. Place of burial - Locating the grave may lead to further information inscribed on the stone. Other family members may also be buried in the same cemetery.

Included can be a few sentences to sum up the life of the deceased. This can be difficult for some, but here is what I would say about my grandmother, “Primadine was a housekeeper, nurse, gardener, seamstress, baker, cook and farmhand. She had a kind heart and is fondly remembered by many members of the community.”

There are other things that can be added, such as a picture, a detailed life history and a list of accomplishments, but the items noted above will please most genealogists.

Try to weed out long-time family myths. In my father’s obituary, it was stated (and we honestly believed) he lied about his age to get into the army. However, if you do the math, he was 17 when the Second World War began, the ripe age for enlisting.

Obituaries should be written before visiting the funeral home. Because of the emotional strain, sometimes information is mistakenly excluded or given.

When I think of obituaries, I don’t think of today’s readers, but the researcher 100 years from now piecing together the family she has never met.

Today’s obituaries are announcements; tomorrow they are history.