Funeral cards are an overlooked free genealogical resource. They often contain Birth and Death years and are a substitute for birth and death records (Vital Records). Now they are not a true substitute for vital records but it's a good place to start! To find out what are true Vital Records see Genealogy Without Sources is Mythology
Unfortunately these death records are scattered and there has not been a repository for funeral cards until now. I'm trying to create the best funeral card database on the net. If you have death records such as funeral cards, please give them a home by submitting them to Ancestors At Rest.
Funeral Card Charles Chetham 1873 - 1889, Auburn New York
This is an original Cabinet sized Photo of the funeral scene for Charles Chetham, Died 3/25/1889 at Auburn NY at 16 yrs old.
![Funeral Card Charles Chetham 1873 - 1889, Auburn New York](../graphics/chetham-funeral-death.jpg)
Brian's Notes: This isn't the usual Funeral or Memorial Card, it's more of a Memorial Photo probably taken as part of Charles' Funeral services. I had a good look around and found the following information on Charles and his family:
Found in the 1880 census for
7th Ward, Auburn, Cayuga, New York
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
Joshua C. CHETHAM Self M Male W 37 CAN Scythe Polisher ENG CAN
Addie M. CHETHAM Wife M Female W 29 NY Keeping House NY NY
Birdella CHETHAM Dau S Female W 11 NY At School CAN NY
Hattie L. CHETHAM Dau S Female W 9 NY At School CAN NY
Charles R. CHETHAM Son S Male W 7 NY At School CAN NY
Lucinda COWELL MotherL W Female W 65 NY Keeping House VT NY
Source Information:
Family History Library Film 1254813
NA Film Number T9-0813
Page Number 336A
Is this your family?
Charles R., Joshua (his father), Adeline M (his father), and Hattie L. Chetham are all buried in Fort Hill Cemetery, Auburn New York. View their birth and death information plus exact grave location
I also found Joshua Chetham, Scythe Polisher, in the 1900 Directory for Auburn New York, living with Harriet L. and Raymond E. (Street and number given)
Also found Raymond E. Chetham buried in Soule Cemetery Sennett Section Raymond's WW1 information is also found here
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I also found Lucinda Cowell, who I guess must be Addie M's mother, buried in Soule Cemetery - Auburn Section, Town of Sennett New York LUCINDA E. COWELL 1815-1904 L.E.C. If she is your ancestor, you will need to check this out because she's buried with another family, I don't know how they fit with her
Where Can I Find More Funeral Cards?
Try
Genealogy Today Lots of unique one of a kind genealogy databases.
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Ancestry Free Trial Ancestry has more genealogy records than any site on the net and they often have free trials and special promotions.
Online Searchable Death Indexes
Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates on Ancestry
Other Online Searchable Records
We're all anxious to find our ancestors - and find them fast! These records may help you find a brick-wall ancestor easily and from the comfort of your computer chair.
Try a
Ancestry Free Trial Ancestry has more genealogy records than any site on the net and they often have free trials and special promotions.
Genealogy Today Lots of unique one of a kind genealogy databases
Share Your Death Records
If you have a transcription or a photo of death records (cemetery listings, funeral cards, death cards, coffin plates, church records etc) help build this database by submitting your death records ***You must delete the word REMOVE in my email address before sending to me or it won't work. So the real address is ancestorsatrest followed by the @ then the last bit gmail.com Sorry but spammers make this roundabout method of emailing necessary!***
This Death Records Database is an ongoing project and I have many more funeral cards to add so check back often.