Local History & Genealogy

Your place to discover your history.

Get the Help You Need

Visit Main Library in person. No appointment necessary to browse our collection.

  • For a one hour in-person consultation with one of our staff members, please  book an appointment.
 

Prefer help from home?

  • Reserve an Expert to get online, one-on-one help with genealogy, local history or house history questions.

Request an Obituary

We provide access to the largest and most comprehensive collection of recent U.S. obituaries available online. Order up to six free obituaries per month. 

REQUEST OBITUARY

Instructions

  1. Search Columbus Dispatch Digital for obituaries from 1871 to the present.
  2. Can’t find what you need? Submit a request using the form below.
    Individuals may submit up to 6 obituary requests per month. Most obituary replies will be sent within 48 hours. Obituary requests are accepted but not processed on Sundays, major holidays, or Unexpected Closing days. Obituaries will be delivered by email or mail. Emailed obituaries are free and viewable with free software from Adobe.
  1. No email? Franklin County residents without access to email should visit any CML location or call (614) 645-2275 for information.

Obituary Request

"*" indicates required fields

Instructions
  1. Search Columbus Dispatch Digital for obituaries from 1871 to the present.
  2. Can’t find what you need? Submit a request using the form below. Individuals may submit up to 6 obituary requests per month. Most obituary replies will be sent within 48 hours. Obituary requests are accepted but not processed on Sundays, major holidays, or Unexpected Closing days. Obituaries will be delivered by email or mail. Emailed obituaries are free and viewable with free software from Adobe.
  3. No email? Franklin County residents without access to email should visit any CML location or call (614) 645-2275 for information.
Your Name*
Please take a moment to double-check the email address you typed. If the email address is incorrect, you will NOT receive a confirmation of your request.
Name of Deceased Person*

Please supply the date of death. Please check the Columbus News Index to locate this information. If you do not know the date of death, give an approximate date and explain in the notes field. You may also email library staff at history@columbuslibrary.org for research help.

Date of Obituary
Date of Death

The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

Request obituary

Have a question? Email us.

ASK A QUESTION

Local History & Genealogy

My History

Access Central Ohio’s Digital History
Explore thousands of photos, documents, maps and yearbooks.

MY HISTORY

Help Preserve Ohio’s History
We’re looking for photos that tell the stories of central Ohio.

UPLOAD PHOTOS

We’ll Scan Your Items
Set up a time to bring them in for us to scan or if you want to donate them.

EMAIL US

Local History & Genealogy - OLD

Attend Our Virtual Programs

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE EXHIBITS

EXPLORE NOW

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Search by Category

Local History

Genealogy & Obituaries

African American Local History & Genealogy

Guides & Resources

Sign up for emails about topics that interest you.

SIGN UP NOW

Before Your Visit

Review these details before you head to Main Library.

READ MORE

During & After Your Visit

Read over to see what to expect.

READ MORE

Collection Guide

Here’s what you need to know about our collections.

READ MORE

Donate to Local History & Genealogy

GIVE NOW