Finding information about local obituaries can be invaluable for honoring loved ones, genealogy research, or exploring Bloomington’s history.
Monroe County Public Library (MCPL): Indiana Room
The Indiana Room at the Monroe County Public Library offers a wealth of resources for finding obituary and local history information. Key resources include:
Monroe County Obituary Index (1824–2019)
- Covers most Bloomington newspapers from 1824 to 2019.
- Search Tips:
- Use as much of the name as you know (e.g., “Jim” finds “Jim” or “Jimmy”).
- Use
%as a wildcard (e.g., “Sm%th” returns “Smith” and “Smyth”).
- Order Records Online:
Search the Monroe County Obituary Index
Post-2019 Obituaries
- For obituaries after January 1, 2020, use:
Indiana Room Digital Resources
Historic Newspaper Archives
- Hoosier State Chronicles: Assorted Monroe County newspapers (1869–1932).
- The Smithville News: A small-town newspaper from 1897–1915 with indexed obituaries.
Additional Historical Resources
Monroe County (IN) Church Records Index 1818-1900
This index provides church-related historical records sorted by surname. It can be a valuable resource for genealogy and local history research.
Download the Monroe County (IN) Church Records Index 1818-1900 (PDF)
Coroner’s Reports
Explore more at the Indiana Room eLibrary.
Other Online Obituary Resources
Aggregated Listings
- Legacy.com: Obituaries from local funeral homes and newspapers.
- Echovita: Comprehensive obituary listings for Bloomington.
Local Funeral Homes
Find recent obituaries from local funeral homes:
How to Use These Resources
- Start with the Monroe County Obituary Index for historical records.
- Use The Herald-Times Obituaries Search or NewsBank for recent obituaries.
- Check funeral home websites for the most up-to-date information.