January 14, 2015 By Steve Anderson of FamilySearch
Some may think that indexing hundreds, or even thousands of obituaries might become a bit tedious at times. After all, obituaries are just news clips about a bunch of dead people, right? Maybe not.
It appears that a lot of our indexers are having a great time indexing obituaries. With each new batch, you will most likely come across some interesting stories. Each obituary often contains some fascinating tidbits of information about someone’s life. Many are fascinating stories. Some are heart wrenching and . . .
tug at the heart strings. Some indexers even get to index the obituary of someone well known and famous . . . or infamous.
Below are some comments that a few of our indexers have submitted to the FamilySearch Indexing Facebook page. Take a minute to read some of the comments and see what I mean. You will enjoy them. Then, when you come across an obituary that makes you smile, cry or say to yourself, “Oh, my goodness!” share it with us and let us be amazed, too.
Below are some comments that a few of our indexers have submitted to the FamilySearch Indexing Facebook page. Take a minute to read some of the comments and see what I mean. You will enjoy them. Then, when you come across an obituary that makes you smile, cry or say to yourself, “Oh, my goodness!” share it with us and let us be amazed, too.
Christine C.—I indexed John Surratt’s obit – he was John Wilkes Booth associate and accused in the assassination of President Lincoln. His mother was executed for her part in the conspiracy. Surratt escaped but was eventually captured and brought to trial – but was released after a mistrial.
Kelly M.—I ran across Pretty Boy Floyd…!
Claire B.—I indexed President Carter’s brother Billy.
Becky C.—I indexed a young man who died in the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
Connie S.—Lillies are my favorite flowers and I indexed the obituary of the man who made it possible for me to grow them in my garden. Thank you!
Rodney P.—I indexed my Grandfather Ernest Raymond Smith and his brother Elmer, this brought tears. My Grandfather died before my mother was raised so I never got to meet my Grandfather, this made him come to life for. Thanks to Family Search.
Janell V.—I actually just indexed my first famous person, Gene Clark, founding member of The Byrds. So I went and looked him up on Wikipedia, kind of a sad story…
Amanda S.—I just indexed Gordon Macrae from Oklahoma. He played Curly. For me to get him is amazing as I absolutely love the film! To be honest I have kept hold of this until it went red.
Darlene G.— I was indexing BC Canada death records. Sadly a young man had died tragically after falling into a grain silo. A few records later I indexed another death of a young man, same last name, turns out he had died trying to save his little brother in that same grain silo. So sad.
Karlene B.—I indexed one of the Three Stooges.
Search more than 4.3 million obituaries that have already been indexed. They are organized by state, newspaper title, and year.” Use of the indexes are free.