Columbus Dispatch Obituaries: A Comprehensive Guide to Finding Death Notices

The Columbus Dispatch is a daily newspaper published in Columbus, Ohio. It is the largest newspaper in the state and the 33rd largest in the United States. The Dispatch has been publishing obituaries for over 150 years, and its archives are a valuable resource for genealogists and historians.

How to Find Obituaries in The Columbus Dispatch

There are several ways to find obituaries in The Columbus Dispatch.

• Online: The Dispatch's website has a searchable database of obituaries dating back to 1996. To search the database, visit www.dispatch.com/obituaries.
• In print: The Dispatch publishes obituaries in its print edition every day. Obituaries are typically published in the "Local & State" section of the newspaper.
• At the library: The Columbus Metropolitan Library has a collection of The Dispatch's obituaries dating back to the 1800s. Obituaries can be accessed at the library's main branch or at any of its branch locations.

Tips for Searching for Obituaries

When searching for obituaries, it is important to use as much information as possible. This includes the name of the deceased, the date of death, and the city or town where the death occurred.

If you are searching for an obituary from a specific date, you can use the Dispatch's online search tool to narrow your search by date range. You can also search by keyword, such as the name of the deceased's spouse, parent, or child.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When searching for obituaries, it is important to avoid making common mistakes. These mistakes include:

• Searching too broadly: If you search for a common name, such as "John Smith," you will likely get a lot of unrelated results. To narrow your search, use more specific information, such as the deceased's date of birth or place of death.
• Searching too narrowly: If you search for a very specific name, such as "John Smith III," you may not find any results. To broaden your search, try using a more general name, such as "John Smith" or "J. Smith."
• Not using quotation marks: If you are searching for a phrase, such as "John Smith Jr.," be sure to put the phrase in quotation marks. This will ensure that the search engine looks for the exact phrase.

Why Obituaries Matter

Obituaries are important for a number of reasons. They provide information about the life and death of a person, and they can be a source of comfort to the deceased's family and friends. Obituaries can also be used for genealogical research.

Benefits of Reading Obituaries

There are many benefits to reading obituaries. These benefits include:

• Learning about the lives of others: Obituaries can provide a glimpse into the lives of people from all walks of life. You can learn about their accomplishments, their relationships, and their passions.
• Finding out about your family history: Obituaries can be a valuable resource for genealogists. They can provide information about your ancestors' birthdates, death dates, and places of residence.
• Connecting with others: Obituaries can help you connect with other people who have lost loved ones. You can share your memories of the deceased and offer support to each other.

Tips for Writing an Obituary

If you are writing an obituary, there are a few things you should keep in mind. These tips include:

• Be accurate: Obituaries should be accurate and factual. This includes the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, and place of death.
• Be respectful: Obituaries should be respectful of the deceased and their family. Avoid using offensive language or making negative comments.
• Be concise: Obituaries should be concise and to the point. Include only the most important information about the deceased's life and death.
• Proofread carefully: Before submitting your obituary, proofread it carefully for errors. Make sure that all of the information is correct and that the obituary is written in a respectful tone.

Step-by-Step Approach to Writing an Obituary

Here is a step-by-step approach to writing an obituary:

1. Gather information: Collect all of the necessary information about the deceased, including their name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation.
2. Write the first draft: Write a rough draft of the obituary. Include the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, place of death, and occupation.
3. Proofread the obituary: Carefully proofread the obituary for errors. Make sure that all of the information is correct and that the obituary is written in a respectful tone.
4. Submit the obituary: Submit the obituary to the newspaper or funeral home.

Helpful Resources

There are a number of helpful resources available to help you find and write obituaries. These resources include:

• The Obituary Writers Association: The Obituary Writers Association is a professional organization for obituary writers. The association offers a number of resources to help obituary writers, including a code of ethics and a style guide.
• The National Funeral Directors Association: The National Funeral Directors Association is a professional organization for funeral directors. The association offers a number of resources to help funeral directors, including a guide to writing obituaries.
• The Funeral Consumers Alliance: The Funeral Consumers Alliance is a non-profit organization that provides information and support to consumers about funeral planning. The alliance offers a number of resources to help consumers write obituaries, including a sample obituary template.

Tables

Table 1: The Columbus Dispatch Obituaries

Table 2: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for Obituaries

Table 3: Benefits of Reading Obituaries