Almost from its beginning, members of the Kansas Genealogical Society clipped obituaries from newspapers, pasted them into notebooks and donated them to The Society. Over the years, we have acquired many thousands of obituaries in this way and continue to collect selected obituaries. A project started in 2003 to create an index to these obituaries is now nearing completion, notwithstanding the ongoing collection. The numbers, we believe, are astounding. The number of records is approaching 700,000. This is estimated to include approximately 350,000 individuals.
About The Obituary Collections
There was no particular plan involved in the collection of obituaries. Each person chose their area of interest and produced books according to their own preferences and procedures so the various books are quite varied in their construction. For example, many of the collections did not record the name of the newspaper nor the date the obituary was published. Most collections cover a particular period of time and a particular area. The collections are from many localities in the state of Kansas but are by no means all inclusive for the state. In addition, we have some special collections covering an area and a time period in northeastern Colorado, western Missouri, and some other states. It is interesting to note that the collections take on a national and, in some cases, an international aspect. Many obituaries pertain to former residents of the area covered by the newspaper but who died elsewhere, some in foreign lands. As with all obituaries, they range from simple death notices to lengthy and profuse eulogies.
Introduction to the 1870-1999 Obituary database
Click on the links below to see listings of the obituaries between 1870 & 1999, organized by last name.
Introduction to the 2000-2006 Obituary database
Click on the links below to see listings of the obituaries between 2000 & 2006, organized by last name.
|
|
Introduction to Other States Obituary database
Click on the links below to see listings of the obituaries between 2000 & 2006, organized by last name.
|
|
To order a copy of the complete obituary, complete this form and return it with payment to:
Kansas Genealogical Society
P O Box 103
Dodge City, Kansas 67801-0103
For an explanation of the County Codes in the index, click here.