Locating obituaries for loved ones can be a challenging and emotional process. This guide will help you navigate the resources available for finding obituaries published in the Herald Statesman of Yonkers, NY, and other helpful avenues.
The Herald Statesman and its Online Presence
The Herald Statesman was a prominent newspaper serving Yonkers, NY, for many years. While it no longer exists in its print form, its legacy lives on. Unfortunately, accessing a comprehensive online archive of its obituaries can be difficult. Many older obituaries may not have been digitized. However, some online resources might contain obituaries that were published in the Herald Statesman, albeit potentially incompletely. Searching online using the name of the deceased and "Yonkers obituary" or "Herald Statesman obituary" may yield results from other online archives or news aggregators that may have preserved some of these records.
Alternative Resources for Yonkers Obituaries
If your search through the Herald Statesman's online remnants proves fruitless, several other valuable resources can assist your search:
1. Legacy.com and Other Online Obituary Sites
Websites like Legacy.com are comprehensive databases aggregating obituaries from various sources across the country, often including those from smaller newspapers and local funeral homes. Searching these sites with the deceased's name and location (Yonkers, NY) is a highly effective strategy. Similar sites, such as Findagrave.com (which focuses more on cemetery records but often includes linked obituary information), can also prove beneficial.
2. Funeral Homes in Yonkers, NY
Funeral homes often maintain online records of the services they've conducted. Contacting funeral homes in Yonkers directly—either via phone or their websites—can be a fruitful avenue. They may have records of obituaries, even if those obituaries were not widely published in newspapers.
3. Local Libraries and Historical Societies
Local libraries and historical societies in Yonkers often maintain archives of local newspapers, including the Herald Statesman. While accessing these archives might involve some legwork, it offers the best chance of finding older obituaries not available online. They can be a goldmine of information for those researching family history.
4. Westchester County Clerk's Office
While not specifically an obituary resource, the Westchester County Clerk's office maintains records of death certificates. Obtaining a copy of a death certificate can provide valuable information, sometimes including the name of the funeral home which may lead you to an online obituary.
Tips for a Successful Search
- Be precise: Use the full name of the deceased, including middle names or initials.
- Include dates: Knowing the approximate date of death greatly narrows your search.
- Consider variations in spelling: Check for variations in spelling of names.
- Be patient and persistent: Finding obituaries can take time and effort. Don't give up easily!
Conclusion: Honoring Memories Through Research
Finding obituaries is more than just a search; it's a way to honor the memory of loved ones and connect with family history. By utilizing the various resources outlined above, you increase your chances of success in your search for Herald Statesman obituaries and other records, allowing you to remember and celebrate the lives of those who have passed. Remember to be patient and persistent – the information you seek is out there.
