[or-roots] 1898 obit possibliity

[Trisha Neal]

Whether an obituary is published for free or for a fee depends upon the
newspaper--and sometimes the mortuary.  There are still small, hometown
newspapers here in Oregon and elsewhere who do not charge to publish an
obituary as long as the family understands that it may be edited for length
and sometimes wording.  If the family insists on the length and leaving the
words as is, then the paper will usually refer them to the display
advertising person where the obituary will be run as display advertising.
 
In addition, many mortuaries furnish the information to the newspapers
rather than the family. Many people may not know, but some of the mortuaries
add this "service" to the cost of the funeral.  I know one that charges
$100.00 to fax the information.  
 
Newspapers, unfortunately, tend to look at that blank page as "real estate"
and every column inch is valuable property.  I have been researching a group
of women in Minneapolis and I hate to tell how many of them have only had a
death notice announcing where the funeral would be. If I'm lucky, I have had
a few survivors listed.  Unless you are "newsworthy" you don't always rate a
write up.
 
I have been doing lookups here on the coast. I recently helped a woman from
Colorado with an obit lookup from 1903 and a photo of the woman's grave in
Coquille. I about fell off my chair when I saw her obituary! It was 17
inches long!  Hurray for small town newspapers!  
 
Trish
Coos Bay, Oregon
 
 
 
 

  _____  

From: or-roots-admin at sosinet.sos.state.or.us
[mailto:or-roots-admin at sosinet.sos.state.or.us] On Behalf Of
LSchiendel at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2005 10:04 PM
To: or-roots at sosinet.sos.state.or.us
Subject: Re: [or-roots] 1898 obit possibliity


Well, maybe in your town in Oregon obits are free.  Here in Olympia that is
not the case.
A couple of years ago, for one that was in the medium range I paid $200
plus.  Ouch
 
Lillian 
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