Death - historical searches
Since 1538 each parish in England has kept a register of burials
which have taken place in the parish. Although many of the earliest
registers have not survived, registers are an important source of
information prior to civil registration in 1837.
Church records
Local Studies collections contain church records not only for
the established church but also non conformist churches. The Local
Studies centre at Touchstones Rochdale also has the St Catherine's
House Index on microfilm.
Newspapers
Newspapers often carry Obituary notices. Each Local Studies
Library holds microfilmed copies of local newspapers for their
area. These includes: The Rochdale Observer 1856 onwards, Heywood
Advertiser 1850 onwards, Middleton Guardian as well as various
other local newspapers.
The Newspaper Index, part of the Library Service's Web Catalogue
is a searchable database of over 70,000 of the newspaper articles
held in the Local Studies Libraries. This may help you identify the
newspaper(s) you need to consult in the Library. There are two easy
ways of finding reports of deaths in the Newspaper Index:
- At the welcome page, search for "death" (omitting the quotation
marks) and the surname, eg "death smith" or
- Go to the "Power Search," and type the name you are looking for
next to the box marked Newspaper Word Search; click on the word
"death" in the Limits List and then click the "Go" button.
The
Newpaper Index welcome page
Newspaper Index Power Search