Once you navigate to the "Obituaries" or "All Obituaries" section of the website, you will find several tools to help narrow down your search. ### Searching by Name The primary search tool is a text-based search bar. You can enter the first name, last name, or both to filter the listings. * **Partial Name Search:** If you are unsure of the exact spelling of a name, you can enter the first few letters. The system will generate matches that begin with those letters, which is highly useful for names with multiple spelling variations. * **Maiden Names:** Keep in mind that some obituaries may list a woman by her married name, while others include her maiden name in parentheses. If your initial search fails, try searching using only the last name. ### Browsing Chronologically by Month If you do not know the exact spelling of the deceased's name but know approximately when they passed away, you can use the chronological browse feature. This tool allows you to select a specific month and year to view all obituaries published during that timeframe. This is particularly helpful for finding services that occurred within the last few years. ### Filtering Alphabetically For those who prefer to browse visually, the website offers an alphabetical filter. By selecting a letter from the A–Z menu, the database will display only the individuals whose last names begin with that letter. This method is highly effective when you want to scan through a specific family name group.
## Information Found on the Memorial Pages Once you locate the correct listing and click on the individual's name, you will be directed to their dedicated memorial page. These pages serve as a digital tribute and typically contain several key pieces of information: * **The Full Obituary:** A detailed biography written by the family, outlining the individual’s life achievements, career, hobbies, and surviving family members. * **Service Details:** Specific dates, times, and locations for visitations, funeral services, and burial ceremonies. This section often includes maps and driving directions to the church, chapel, or cemetery. * **The Tribute Wall:** An interactive guestbook where friends and family can post condolences, share personal memories, and upload photos of the deceased. * **Flower and Gift Ordering:** Direct links to local florists, allowing users to send flowers, plants, or sympathy cards directly to the funeral home or the family's residence. * **Memorial Donations:** Information on whether the family prefers memorial contributions to be made to specific charities or organizations in lieu of flowers. ## Tips for Finding Older or Historical Obituaries
While the online search tool on the Blanchard St. Denis website is excellent for recent records, online databases often have limitations. Digital archives typically only go back to the early 2000s, when funeral homes began adopting digital platforms. If you are looking for an obituary from the 20th century or earlier, you may need to use alternative resources. ### Local Library Archives The Natchitoches Parish Library is an excellent resource for historical research. The library maintains microfilm archives of local newspapers, such as *The Natchitoches Times*, which historically published local obituary notices. Library staff can often assist researchers in locating older newspaper clippings if you can provide an approximate date of death. ### Online Genealogical Databases Websites like Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and Ancestry.com frequently index historical obituaries and cemetery records from the Natchitoches area. Many volunteers transcribe older obituaries from Blanchard St. Denis services and upload them to these platforms, making them searchable for the public. ### Contacting the Funeral Home Directly If your online search yields no results and you believe the service was handled by Blanchard St. Denis, you can contact the funeral home directly. Their administrative staff maintains physical records that predate the internet. When contacting them, be prepared to provide as much detail as possible, including the individual's full name, approximate year of death, and your relationship to the deceased.
