The Hocutt-Ellington Memorial Library in Clayton has introduced an online obituary index aimed at simplifying family history research. The tool allows users to search local death notices, providing details such as names, ages, burial sites, and occasionally spouses. This digital resource draws on funeral records, historical collections, and the library’s own files gathered over the past year.
Library Associate Pam Taylor explained the impact of this new service: “Before, finding an obituary meant digging through newspapers, courthouse records, or even family Bibles. Now, with just a few clicks, researchers can access a wealth of information from the comfort of home. It is a real time saver for anyone exploring family history.”
The index includes contributions from sources like the John Barnes Collection, the Virginia Satterfield Collection, and Hodges Funeral Home records dating back to the 1950s and 1960s. The compilation process took more than a year as staff organized these materials into an accessible format.
Taylor noted that development will continue: “Our obituary index is a living project. It continues to grow as we add new obituaries and previously uncollected records, giving researchers more opportunities to discover family connections.”
This effort reflects broader trends in genealogy interest fueled by DNA testing services and ancestry websites. Residents interested in using the obituary index or other local history resources can visit claytonlibrarync.org under the Local History Collection section.
