Death is a part of life, and sometimes it is important to find out how someone died. Whether for genealogy purposes, or to learn more about someone who has passed away, there are ways to find out how someone died for free online.
Searching the Web
When searching for how someone died, the first place to look is the internet. Many websites offer public records and information on deceased individuals. Search engines such as Google can be used to search for obituaries and articles related to the deceased. Social media sites are also useful for finding out how someone died, as people often post memorials and share information about the death of a loved one.
Utilizing Public Records
Public records can also be used to find out how someone died. Death certificates are available in most countries and can provide information on how someone died. Many countries have online databases that can be accessed for free. In the United States, the National Center for Health Statistics offers a free searchable database of death certificates. Other public records such as newspaper archives, cemetery records, and hospital records can also be used to find out how someone died.
Finding out how someone died is not always easy, but it can be done for free online. Through search engines, social media sites, and public records, it is possible to uncover information on how a loved one died.
In today’s digital age, there are a multitude of resources available online to easily discover information about a deceased person. Whether someone is an historian conducting research on a historical figure or an individual searching for an ancestor, there are several ways to find out how someone died for free online.
A great starting point is an Internet search and the first place to begin is a search engine like Google. Querying a name with additional keywords such as “obituary” or “death” is likely to lead to a plethora of webpages that offer insights into the life and death of the person. Additionally, searching for genealogical records can yield family trees and biographical information that may lead to the cause of death.
For those individuals with family who are no longer living, the Social Security Death Index is a reliable source of information. The index compiles records from the Social Security Act from 1936-2014, and includes the name, date of death and Social Security number of individual deceased persons. In addition, the index also includes other information such as birthdates and cause of death.
Cemeteries, funeral homes and obituaries also can provide a plethora of information. A local cemetery’s records typically will provide the date of death and, in some cases, the cause of death. Funeral homes also can provide more details on the deceased’s life, such as their religious affiliations, while obituaries tend to include additional information such as the date of death and cause of death.
While there are numerous resources available online to help someone find information about a deceased person and determine the cause of their death, additional research may be necessary. In many cases, a professional genealogist or archivist may be able to provide other relevant information, or to provide a comprehensive view of the deceased’s life.
Finding out how someone died for free online is a relatively easy task if the searches are conducted in the right places. With the appropriate resources and research, information about a deceased individual can easily be accessed.
