Obituaries offer a glimpse into the lives of individuals and their families, providing valuable information for historical research and genealogy. They’re primary sources that can help you uncover important details about your ancestors.
Given its historical significance, Selma, Alabama, is a particularly rich source of obituary information. This guide will show you how to access, search, and understand Selma al obituaries, helping you piece together your family’s history.
Accessing Selma, Alabama Obituaries Online
If you’re looking for Selma, Alabama, obituaries, there are several online resources that may be useful.
GenealogyBank and Digitized Newspaper Archives
GenealogyBank has digitized more than 330 years of obituaries from Selma, Alabama, newspapers, making it easy to search online. This provides a pretty comprehensive archive if you’re doing research.
GenealogyBank says its online database contains more than 95% of the obituaries you won’t find anywhere else, which makes its collection particularly valuable.
Other Online Resources
You might also find what you’re looking for at these online locations:
- US Newspapers Archives
- Government Publications
- Social Security Death Index
- US Cultural Archives
Legacy.com is another potential source, although you may have to go through some security steps to access the information.
Effective Search Strategies for Selma Obituaries
Hunting for obituaries online can be tricky, but here are a few ways to improve your odds.
Basic and advanced search techniques
Start with the simplest search possible: the last name. Type it in and click “Search.”
If that doesn’t work, try a more advanced approach. Include a first name, middle name or initial, and last name. Add keywords like a town or neighborhood. If you’re getting too many hits, try excluding certain keywords.
Use a date range, even if you don’t know the exact year of death.
Tips for overcoming search challenges
Try working backward from known ancestors to narrow your search and identify relatives who might have lived in Selma.
If you don’t know someone’s full name, search by initials.
If you’re looking for a female relative, try searching by her husband’s name, especially if you don’t know her maiden name.
Always check for common misspellings of the names you’re searching for.
Understanding and Verifying Obituary Information
Keep in mind that older records may contain mistakes. You might spot errors in spelling, dates, and other details.
To ensure accuracy, verify all information using multiple sources. Cross-reference the details you find in obituaries with other genealogical records.
It also helps to know the difference between obituaries and death notices. Death notices often contain information about funerals and burial locations.
Finally, fact-check records using multiple GenealogyBank collections.
Putting It All Together
Selma obituaries are a great way to learn about your ancestors, their families, and how they lived their lives. You’ll want to search carefully and double-check the information you find.
By combining online resources with tried-and-true research techniques, you can get a more complete picture of your family’s history.