For articles and obituaries appearing in the Register Guard, use the search tips listed below.
If you would prefer to have library staff search for you, send the following information to LibraryAskUs@ci.eugene.or.us or call 541-682-5450. Articles will be sent by email.
When searching microfilm for obituaries, start the search on the date of death and search about 7 days after the date of death.
Obituaries can appear in different areas of the newspaper. Usually they are found in the City Region (local news) section but can also be found in the classified section or appear as paid notices.
| Remember that... |
The Register Guard is the main source for obituaries submitted for deaths in Eugene and some smaller towns in Lane County. Obituaries are optional newspaper articles requested by friends and family. There is no law that requires that an obituary be placed. An obituary must be submitted to a paper, it doesn't happen automatically; many folks, especially in early times, never had obituaries. |
| How do I find the date of death? |
Search names in the online Register-Guard Index (years 1963 through 2003). Search last name first: e.g., Smith, Richard D., to obtain the date that the obituary/death notice appeared in the newspaper. In the library, search the Oregon Death Index through Ancestry.com for years 1903 through 1998 or use library microform of the Oregon Death Index for years 1903 through 2006 (additional years added annually). |
| How do I find and print a full-text obituary online? |
For full text articles/obituaries from 11/14/2001 to current search the Library’s online Register-Guard database (Infotrac). For full text articles/obituaries from 1867 to current search www.registerguard.com: select Google News Archives. |
| How do I get a copy of the original newspaper page? How do I use microfilm at the Library? |
The Downtown Library has the local newspapers on microfilm from 07/13/1867 (The Guard) to current (The Register-Guard). The Downtown Library has microfilm reader/printers. Prints are 10 cents each. When searching microfilm for obituaries, start the search on the date of death and about 7 days following it. Obituaries can appear in different areas of the newspaper. Usually they are found in the City Region (local news) section but also can be found in the classified section or appear as paid notices. |
Searching for an obituary outside of Lane County?