Preston Schilling Funeral Home Obituaries: The Missing Pieces
Preston Schilling Funeral Home Obituaries: The Missing Pieces – Finding Information When Records Are Incomplete
Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience, and accessing accurate and complete obituary information is crucial for grieving families and those seeking to connect with their heritage. While funeral homes like Preston Schilling strive to maintain comprehensive records, sometimes information can be incomplete or even missing. This post explores the challenges of finding missing pieces in Preston Schilling Funeral Home obituaries and offers strategies to help you in your search.
Why Obituaries Might Be Incomplete at Preston Schilling (or Any Funeral Home):
Several factors can contribute to incomplete obituaries at any funeral home, including Preston Schilling. These might include:
- Age of the record: Older records, particularly those predating widespread digital record-keeping, might be less complete due to less detailed information gathering practices of the past. Finding handwritten notes or faded documents can prove challenging.
- Family choices: The family arranging the funeral may choose not to include certain details, for privacy reasons or otherwise.
- Data entry errors: Human error during the initial data entry process can lead to inaccuracies or omissions.
- Record loss or damage: Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances like fires, floods, or simply aging documents can result in lost or damaged records.
Strategies for Finding Missing Information:
If you are struggling to find specific information in Preston Schilling Funeral Home obituaries, consider these steps:
- Contact Preston Schilling Funeral Home directly: The funeral home itself is your primary resource. Contact their staff – they may have additional records or be able to direct you to relevant resources. Be polite and specific in your request.
- Check online genealogy databases: Websites like Ancestry.com, Findagrave.com, and MyHeritage.com often contain supplementary information, including obituaries, death certificates, and family trees that can fill in gaps.
- Search local newspaper archives: Many newspapers published obituaries, sometimes with more detail than those found on funeral home websites. Check local libraries or online newspaper archives.
- Contact local historical societies or libraries: These organizations often maintain local records and can assist with genealogical research, offering valuable insights into community history, which might include details about your ancestor's life.
- Explore social media: Searching social media platforms like Facebook or family-specific genealogy groups can uncover connections and potentially lead to information not readily available elsewhere.
- Reach out to family members: Talking to older relatives who may have known the deceased or have access to family records can be invaluable.
Respecting Privacy:
Remember that while seeking information, it's essential to respect the privacy of the deceased and their family. Be mindful of the sensitive nature of your search and approach any contact with sensitivity and tact.
Finding missing pieces in Preston Schilling Funeral Home obituaries can be a challenging but rewarding endeavor. By using a methodical approach and utilizing the available resources, you can significantly increase your chances of uncovering the information you seek and build a more complete understanding of your family history. Remember, patience and persistence are key in genealogical research.