### Using the Online Search Tools The online database allows you to search for records using several different parameters: * **Name Search:** You can search using a first name, last name, or a partial name. This is particularly helpful if you are unsure of the exact spelling of a surname. * **Chronological Browsing:** If you do not know the exact spelling of a name but know the approximate time of death, you can browse listings chronologically by month and year. * **Alphabetical Filtering:** You can filter the database by selecting the first letter of the deceased person's last name to quickly narrow down the results. ### Information Available on Digital Memorial Pages Once you locate the correct listing, the individual's memorial page typically provides: * **The Full Obituary:** A detailed biography outlining the individual's life, surviving family members, career, and achievements. * **Service Details:** Specific dates, times, and locations for visitations, funeral services, and burial sites. * **Tribute Wall:** A space where friends and family share memories, condolences, and photos. * **Memorial Links:** Options to send flowers, plant memorial trees, or make donations in the individual's honor. ## How to Request Older or Archived Obituary Records Because online databases generally only host records from the late 1990s or early 2000s to the present, finding older historical obituaries requires alternative methods. If the record you need is not available on the website, you can utilize the following resources.
### Contacting the Funeral Home Directly For records that predate the digital archive, you can contact Oakes & Nichols directly. Because they have been in operation for over a century and a half, they maintain extensive physical archives. * **Address:** 320 West Seventh Street, Columbia, TN 38401 * **Phone:** (931) 388-2711 * **Best Practices:** When contacting the staff, be prepared to provide the full name of the deceased, the approximate year of death, and any known family connections. Keep in mind that staff resources may be limited, so allow ample time for a response to historical research requests. ### Utilizing the Maury County Archives If the funeral home's internal archives are unavailable, the Maury County Archives in Columbia, Tennessee, is an excellent secondary resource. The archives preserve historical county records, including local death records, funeral home registers, and historical newspapers. * You can visit the archives in person or submit a research request through their official website or by mail. * They maintain microfilm copies of historical Columbia newspapers, which often contain the published versions of Oakes & Nichols obituaries. ### Researching via the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) For deep genealogical research, the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville houses a vast collection of Tennessee obituaries, death certificates, and historical newspapers. You can order copies of obituaries online through the TSLA website by providing the name of the deceased, the county of death (Maury County), and the date of death. ## Tips for a Successful Obituary Search
To make your search as efficient as possible, keep the following tips in mind: * **Verify Spelling Variations:** Historical records often contain typographical errors or phonetic spellings. Try searching for variations of the last name. * **Identify Maiden Names:** When searching for female ancestors, search under both their married and maiden names. * **Cross-Reference with Death Indexes:** If you are unsure of the exact date of death, check the Tennessee Death Index (available on major genealogy websites) to narrow down the year before contacting Oakes & Nichols or local archives.
