Q. How do I find an obituary in the local newspaper?

We have most years for the Austin American-Statesman in two online databases and all years on microfilm at the Austin History Center. Below are details for finding obituaries based on when someone passed away:

For deaths from 1989–Present:

1. Go to the Austin American-Statesman in NewsBank and click Access Now. If prompted, log in using your Library Card number.
2. Click on the Advanced Search link.
3. In the first box, enter the person's full name in quotation marks.
4. In the second box, enter a date range using the custom date examples as a formatting guide. If you know the date of death, your date range can start there and end the next month. If you do not know the date, estimate as best you can. Using full years is okay, e.g. 2000 - 2002.
   
5. Click Search. If you do not find the obituary, change your search by deleting the person's middle name, or try using only their middle initial. Lastly, remove the quotation marks and search for only the first and last name.   

For deaths from 1871–1978:

1. Go to the Austin American-Statesman (Historical) and click Access Now.
2. If prompted, log in using your Library Card number and PIN/password.
3. Click Advanced Search. 
   
4. Enter the person's full name in quotation marks in the first search box.
5. Next to Publication Date, choose a date range. Ideally, start with the date of death plus the next month or estimate it as best you can.
6. In the Document type box, select Obituary.
7. Click Search. If you do not find the obituary, change your search by deleting the person's middle name, or try using only their middle initial. 

For deaths from 1979–1988 and ones you cannot find in the databases:

Unfortunately, we do not have online access for this date range. Additionally, obituaries from other years that appeared in the original newspaper are sometimes excluded from the databases.

However, we have the Austin American-Statesman on microfilm at the Austin History Center. If the death you're searching for occurred from 1979 through 1988 or if you are unable to find it in one of the databases for any year, you can:

• View the microfilm on your own for free in person at the Austin History Center.
• Request that an Austin History Center staff search for you for a fee. 

Please see the Austin History Center Reference Services for instructions on how to submit a paid research request for an obituary.