Use other sources

Think beyond the obvious

Mind Maps, as illustrated, are great to get you thinking beyond the obvious.

Looking Beyond the Death Certificate

When researching an ancestor’s death, the first place most people look is the death certificate. While this is often the best starting point, it is not always available. Records may be missing, incorrectly transcribed, or hidden due to spelling variations. For this reason, it is important to think more broadly and consider alternative sources.

Using a simple mind map can help you explore additional possibilities and avoid becoming stuck when a record cannot be located.

Cemetery and Burial Records

Headstones can provide valuable information, including dates, ages, and sometimes the names of other family members buried nearby. Even if you cannot visit the cemetery in person, many records are available online.

Larger metropolitan cemetery trusts often publish burial and cremation registers on their websites. Online databases such as Find a Grave include many cemeteries worldwide. However, cremation records are sometimes only available through the cemetery’s official website, particularly when ashes have been scattered rather than interred in a marked grave.

Funeral Notices and Obituaries

In the past, death and funeral notices were primarily published in newspapers. Today, many funeral directors publish notices directly on their own websites.

The Australian website My Tributes is a useful starting point for locating recent and historical death and funeral notices. Libraries also hold physical newspaper collections that may contain notices not yet digitised.

The National Library of Australia’s digital archive Trove provides access to many historical newspapers. Keep in mind that smaller regional newspapers may not yet be digitised, so local library research may still be necessary.

Wills and Probate Records

Wills and probate files can provide far more than a date of death. They often list spouses, children, addresses, occupations, and details about property and personal belongings. These records can help confirm family relationships and provide valuable insight into an ancestor’s life circumstances.

Coronial and Inquest Records

If a death was sudden, accidental, or unexplained, a coronial inquest may have been held. While these records can sometimes be confronting to read, they often contain detailed information about the circumstances of death and may include witness statements.

Expanding Your Search

If you cannot find a death certificate, ask yourself:

• Where was the person likely buried or cremated?

• Was a funeral notice published?

• Did they leave a will?

• Could an inquest have been conducted?

• When do they disappear from electoral rolls or directories?

Thinking creatively and exploring multiple sources increases your chances of success.

Try Creating Your Own Mind Map

Place your ancestor’s name in the centre of a page and write “Death Information” as your main topic. Then create branches for:

• Civil registration

• Cemetery records

• Funeral notices

• Probate

• Church records

• Newspaper reports

Add as many ideas as you can under each branch. This simple exercise often reveals sources you may not have considered.

Remember, genealogy research is rarely about finding just one record. It is about gathering evidence from multiple sources to build a complete and accurate picture.