When ancestory.com just isn't cutting it?

Question

I'm trying to find my GGG-grandmother's death record. I found census' on her up until 1920, but that's as far as she shows up in the census. I know she died in 1931, but I can't seem to find any record of her after 1920 and I've checked everywhere: Vitals, archives, ancestory.com (and other online sites) WA DC, and local churches, funeral homes, libraries, etc. all with no luck...

So, if you have any ideas or any way to help, please let me know.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

You could try asking someone at Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness, it's a site of volunteers who do tons of legwork to find out genealogical information for people.  It's free, but you might be asked to pay for things like gas, photocopies, etc, but not for time.  

Good luck.

Answer 2

Some ideas.. the obvious one (if she actually died in 1931) is the 1930 census. Reasons for NOT finding that... she might have been living with relatives/children (if aged); she may have been in an old folks home; her name can be garbled; and she may have simply been missed in the count. It is not as complete as we'd like to think.

The next obvious place is cemetery.  I'd usually look first, where hubby is buried, next option is near one of the kids. I'd be surprised for no death certificate.. the question is, what state?

Ancestry (and other sites) can be great. They are NOT as all inclusive as persons think. MANY records are not, and may never be, online.  One key example in my mind is property records/ deeds. IF she owned her home until her death, it has to be in a probate file somewhere. I don't know of any alternative except going to that county.. if you know what it is.

If you do have a known or suspected county... you may want to subscribe to that county list. Network. Especially try and see if there is a local expert subbed to the list, or someone who knows the local expert. Network some more. To be totally honest.. ask first WHAT THE RESOURCES are, who to write to.. if there is someone on list who is there, they will often speak up.

By the way.. what is your source for the death date, to begin with? That could suggest a way to follow up.

If you want, drop me a note through my profile (include name and locality, please) and I'll see if I can think of something else.