by Michael John Neill
Our ancestors may have moved a great deal while they were alive. Fortunately they usually don't move after they are dead. Still in many cases it is difficult to even find this fixed target. Despite these problems, there are several approaches we can take to finding that buried ancestor.
The Death CertificateThe death certificate is an obvious place to look for a burial. The only problem is that in many cases our burial questions are from the era before death certificates.
The Obituary or Death NoticeObituaries are another excellent place to begin looking. Again the problem here is that in most cases our problems are in an era where these records are not of assistance.
Look at the ProbateDoes your ancestor's probate settlement indicate any payments that may provide clues as to his burial location? More recent estate accountings may spell out the name of the cemetery and go so far as to provide a precise location of interment. Earlier records, if they provide any information at all, may only go so far as to indicate a payment for a casket or digging a grave. Still it may be worth a look.
Look at the ResidenceChances are your ancestor is buried relatively close to where he or she died. This becomes truer as one's research extends back in time, because the transportation of dead bodies was less likely than it is today. Determine what cemeteries are located nearest to your ancestor's place of death. If the date and place of death are not known, use the ancestor's last known residence as the place to center your search for a burial location. Census records may provide this information, but other records providing residential details such as city directories and land records should also be utilized when available to better approximate the likely location of the death.
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