Finding today’s obituaries in the Cleveland Plain Dealer can be a valuable resource for those seeking information about recent deaths in the Cleveland area. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to access current and historical obituary information, including death notices and obituary articles, through various online and offline resources.
Understanding the Difference: Death Notices vs. Obituary Articles
Before delving into the resources, it’s important to understand the distinction between death notices and obituary articles:
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Death Notices: These are brief announcements of death, typically placed by family members or funeral homes. They often contain basic information about the deceased, such as name, date of death, and funeral arrangements. Because they are paid placements, they might not include detailed biographical information.
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Obituary Articles (News Obituaries): These are more comprehensive articles written by journalists, offering a biographical sketch of the deceased’s life and accomplishments. They undergo editorial review and are considered news content.
Finding Today’s Obituaries in the Cleveland Plain Dealer
For the most recent obituaries, the primary source is the Plain Dealer’s online obituary section: https://obits.cleveland.com/obituaries/cleveland/. This website provides up-to-date information on recent deaths and often includes both death notices and full obituary articles. Many funeral homes also post extended death notices on their websites, providing an additional avenue for finding recent information.
Accessing Historical Obituary Information
The Cleveland Public Library offers extensive resources for accessing historical obituary data:
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1976 to Present: The Library maintains an index of death notices and obituary articles from the Cleveland Press (1976-June 1982) and the Plain Dealer (1976-2014): https://cpl.org/newsindex/. This index can help you locate specific obituaries, and you can request copies through the library. The online Plain Dealer database (http://ezp2.cpl.org/login?url=http://infoweb.newsbank.com/?db=CPDB) provides full-text access to obituary articles published since 1991.
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1833, 1847-1848, 1850-1975: The Cleveland Necrology File (https://cpl.org/newsindex/) is a searchable database containing the full text of death notices from this period. It allows searches by name or keyword, facilitating the retrieval of historical death notices. For obituary articles from this period, contacting the Library’s Center for Local & Global History ([email protected]) is recommended.
Utilizing Ohio Death Certificates (1908-1953)
The Cleveland Public Library also holds a microfilm collection of Ohio Death Certificates from 1908 to 1953, offering valuable details such as cause of death, place of burial, and family information. These records can be viewed and copied at the library.
Locating a Date of Death
If the date of death is unknown, several resources can help:
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Ohio Death Certificate Index: http://resources.ohiohistory.org/death/
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Microfilm indexes to Death Certificates (1908-1953): Available at the Center for Local & Global History at the Main Library.
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Family Search: https://www.familysearch.org/search/ Offers free access to death certificate transcriptions at the Cleveland Public Library Main Branch.
Conclusion
Locating “today’s obituaries Cleveland Plain Dealer” and historical death records involves utilizing various resources provided by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cleveland Public Library. Understanding the distinction between death notices and obituaries, and knowing where to find each type of record, significantly streamlines the search process. By using the resources outlined in this guide, you can effectively access the information you need.
