Obituaries

[Gatsby1960]

Hello.

Could anyone tell me if obituaries were published in newspapers back in 1889?

I'm looking for an obituary for a Johanna (Johannah, Joanna) Coffey for 11th August 1889.

Johanna lived in Glencar Co. Kerry...but may have been in Cahersiveen at the time of her death.

Thanks in advance.

[aghadowey]

There might be a death notice** but not an obituary giving a summary of the person's life unless they were someone like gentry, clergy, a politician or well-known businessman.

** If there is a death notice it might read something like this- "COFFEY- 11 August 1889, at the residence of her husband, Johanna." or "COFFEEY- On 11 August 1889, Johanna, relict of the late Joseph Coffey, aged 74 years."
If the family were not very well educated (illiterate or semi-illiterate) they would be less likely to send a notice into the paper.Also, if the person died on say a Friday and the local weekly paper came out in Thursday-Saturday they might not have bothered as any announcement would have appeared well after the funeral.

Not sure of the custom in Kerry but in Ulster it was quite common at this time to have black-bordered announcement cards printed then hand-distributed amongst relatives, friends and neighbours inviting them to the funeral.

[Gatsby1960]

Thanks for your reply aghadowey.

Yes, I should have said Death Notice.

I don't know what local papers were around in 1889, or if the Notice would have been put in a National newspaper.

I'll keep searching....thanks again.

[annclare]

I don't know what local papers were around in 1889, or if the Notice would have been put in a National newspaper.

Hope this links works - list of Kerry newspapers held in the National Library.
http://www.nli.ie/en/catalogues-and-databases-printed-newspapers.aspx

annclare

[Gatsby1960]

Thanks for that, annclare. I'll have a look.