How to use these records

Please note that the dates in this index are the earlier publication dates of the newspaper, and the date of death. This index was extracted from electronic transcripts provided by the News Herald newspaper available online at News Herald Obituaries.

Information you find in an obituary can often lead to additional genealogical records including birth, baptism, marriage, death, and funeral records; the social security death index, and more. Obituaries, especially the more recent ones, can be among the most revealing of all genealogical records. Ancestors of the deceased are often reported, as well as living and deceased spouses, siblings, and children. Current residences of surviving relatives are often reported, which may help you locate your cousins and maybe even get a lead on that elusive family bible.

As always, family researchers are reminded to seek out all available original records to confirm (or disprove) information provided in obituaries, because much of that information may be secondary, or hearsay, evidence. Factual statements reported in newspaper obituaries may contain errors, and misspellings are common. The transcripts are available free online.

If you are unable to download a copy of the announcement, you may contact the Bay County Public Library to request a copy. You must provide the surname of the individual and the date of the newspaper. You may call the Bay County Public Library at 850-522-2130 or email for assistance.

Abbreviations used in this index

• ( ) parenthesis = Maiden Name
• [ ] brackets = Compilers' Note/Input/Clarification
• aka = also known as
• b/o = brother of
• d/o = daughter of
• f/o = father of
• h/o = husband of
• m/o = mother of
• s/o = son of
• w/o = wife of
• LHRVF = Local History Room Vertical File - People - PC Pilot 1907-1916

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