Obituaries

OBITUARIES are just really wonderful sources of genealogical data. I have found in my own experience, that the older they are--the more information they contain. Some of the older ones appear to be more of a biography then an obituary. Obituaries are great resources providing you are willing to read and figure a few things. However, unfortunately they can in some ways be in error in certain areas. I feel that the gleaned info that is correct--far outweighs any discrepancies.The most common errors I have found have been in the naming of a sibling. Most important and valuable,you will find an obituary many times in years prior to the advent of the death certificate. So in some ways it is the only available source for those time frames. If any of you have ever sat in a library/courthouse searching microfilm for an obituary, then you know just how frustrating it can be. The older papers just stuck them anywhere..no particular section.