index journal obit

Grana Motel

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25-12-2024

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Obituaries in scholarly journals are less common than in newspapers, but they can be valuable resources for researchers in various fields, especially history, biography, and literary studies. Locating these obituaries requires a different approach than simply searching a newspaper archive. This guide will help you effectively navigate indexes and databases to find journal obituaries.

Understanding the Challenges of Finding Journal Obituaries

Unlike newspaper obituaries, which are usually compiled in easily searchable archives, journal obituaries might be tucked away within larger articles, book reviews, or even as brief mentions. They aren't always indexed under a consistent heading like "obituary" or "death notice." This makes using traditional search strategies less effective.

Key Strategies for Locating Journal Obituaries

1. Leverage Specialized Databases:

• JSTOR: A comprehensive digital library containing millions of scholarly articles and primary sources. Search for the individual's name, along with terms like "in memoriam," "obituary," or "death." Experiment with different search combinations.
• Project MUSE: Similar to JSTOR, Project MUSE hosts a vast collection of humanities and social sciences journals. Employ the same search strategies mentioned for JSTOR.
• ProQuest: A massive database covering a broad range of academic disciplines. Use advanced search options to refine your results by date range and publication.
• Other discipline-specific databases: Depending on the field of the deceased, consider exploring databases focused on that area. For example, a medical professional's obituary might be found in a medical journal database.

2. Employ Targeted Keyword Searches:

While searching for "obituary" might yield limited results, try more specific keywords:

• Individual's Name + "in memoriam": Many journals use this phrase to honor deceased individuals.
• Individual's Name + "tribute": Similar to "in memoriam," this term frequently accompanies articles remembering notable figures.
• Individual's Name + Journal Name: If you know the journal the obituary might appear in, include it in your search.
• Individual's Name + Field of Study: This strategy helps narrow your search when working with a specific discipline.

3. Check Journal Indexes and Table of Contents:

Many journals have online indexes or searchable table of contents. Browse these directly to see if an obituary is listed. This is particularly useful if you know the journal and approximate publication date.

4. Use Advanced Search Operators:

Refine your searches using Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) and wildcard characters (*). For example: "Jane Doe" AND ("obituary" OR "in memoriam")

5. Explore Biographical Dictionaries and Encyclopedias:

While not always containing full obituaries, these resources frequently provide brief biographical details and sometimes mention the publication of a more extensive obituary in a particular journal.

6. Consult Bibliographies and Footnotes:

If you find a related article mentioning the deceased individual, check its bibliography or footnotes. These might point to a journal article containing an obituary or relevant biographical information.

Example Search Scenarios:

Scenario 1: Finding an obituary for a historian named Dr. Eleanor Vance.

• Search terms: "Eleanor Vance" AND ("obituary" OR "in memoriam" OR "death") within JSTOR and Project MUSE.
• Refine the search by adding keywords related to her field: "Eleanor Vance" AND ("history" OR "medieval studies") AND ("obituary" OR "in memoriam").

Scenario 2: Locating a memorial article for a renowned physicist, Professor Albert Einstein.

• Search terms: "Albert Einstein" AND ("in memoriam" OR "tribute" OR "memorial") within ProQuest and discipline-specific physics databases.

Beyond the Index: What to Expect

Remember that journal obituaries may vary in length and format. Some might be short notices, while others could be substantial biographical essays. Be prepared to examine several results to find what you need.

This comprehensive guide should significantly improve your success in locating obituaries within the indexes of journal articles. Remember to be patient and persistent—the reward of finding valuable historical information is well worth the effort.