Finding a specific story in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner obituaries can feel like trying to track a caribou in a whiteout if you don’t know where to look. Honestly, people expect a quick Google search to solve everything. It doesn't. Not always. Because the News-Miner has been the "Voice of Interior Alaska" since 1903, the records are scattered across a century of microfilm, digital paywalls, and third-party archives.
If you're looking for a recent passing from this week, you’re probably in luck. But if you’re digging for a great-uncle who worked the gold mines in the 40s? That's a different beast entirely.
Where the records actually live
Most folks start at the News-Miner’s own website. It makes sense. But here is the kicker: their internal online archive usually only goes back to 2001. If you need something older than that, clicking around the modern site is just going to frustrate you.
For the modern stuff, the paper partners with Legacy.com. It’s pretty standard. You get the guestbook, the photos, and the ability to share the link on Facebook. It’s convenient. But for the "deep history" of the Interior, you have to pivot.
🔗 Read more: The Faces Leopard Eating Meme: Why People Still Love Watching Regret in Real Time
The Library Secret
If you have a Fairbanks North Star Borough (FNSB) library card, you’ve basically got a golden ticket. You can access NewsBank through the library’s portal. It’s a bit of a trek through the menus—usually under "Learning" then "News"—but it lets you search the News-Miner for free.
University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) students and faculty have it even better. The Rasmuson Library has direct journal links. For everyone else, the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library is still a physical destination worth considering if you're local. They house the actual microfilm. There is something haunting and beautiful about cranking through those old reels and seeing the hand-set type from 1910.
Searching the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner obituaries: Tips from the pros
Don’t just type a name and hit enter. You'll get 5,000 results for "Smith."
💡 You might also like: Whos Winning The Election Rn Polls: The January 2026 Reality Check
- Try Initials: Back in the day, the News-Miner often used "J.W. Henderson" instead of "John William." If the full name fails, go short.
- The "Mrs." Trap: For a long time, women were frequently identified by their husband's name. You might find her under "Mrs. Robert Miller" rather than "Sarah Miller." It’s annoying, but it’s how the records were kept.
- Common Misspellings: Transcription errors are rampant. If "Smyth" doesn't show up, try "Smith." If "Finnegan" is missing, try "Finnigan."
How to actually place an obituary
Maybe you aren't searching; maybe you're the one writing. It’s a heavy task.
The News-Miner starts their pricing around $35, but that’s for a very basic notice. Most families want a photo and a story, which adds up. You’ll usually deal with the "Obit Desk" or submit through the Legacy platform.
What you need to include:
- Full Name and Nicknames: If everyone knew him as "Shorty," put that in there. It helps friends recognize the notice.
- Dates: Be precise. Check the year twice.
- The Alaska Connection: This is the Interior. Mentioning if they were a "Sourdough" or how many years they spent in Fairbanks matters to the community.
- Service Details: This is the practical bit. Date, time, and whether it’s at Chapel of Chimes or a local church.
The Paywall Problem
Let’s be real—local journalism is struggling. The News-Miner often puts their content behind a paywall. If you find a link to a Fairbanks Daily News-Miner obituary but can't read it, you have a few options.
📖 Related: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
You can buy a day pass. It’s a few bucks. Or, you can use GenealogyBank or Ancestry.com. These sites have indexed huge chunks of the News-Miner archives. Ancestry specifically has a searchable text version for 1941–1977. It isn't perfect—the "Optical Character Recognition" (OCR) sometimes misreads a 'G' for a 'C'—but it’s better than nothing.
Why this paper matters
The News-Miner isn't just a business. It’s a record of survival. In the 1920s, they actually delivered papers to remote mining camps by plane. Think about that. When you read an obituary from that era, you aren't just reading a death notice; you're reading about the people who built the infrastructure of the North.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
- For recent deaths (last 24 hours): Check the "Today's Obituaries" section on the News-Miner website or Legacy.com.
- For the last 20 years: Use your FNSB library card to log into NewsBank.
- For the 1900s–1980s: Visit the UAF Rasmuson Library or use a paid subscription to GenealogyBank.
- Before you pay: Always check the "Chronicling America" project by the Library of Congress. They have some Alaska papers digitized for free, though coverage for the News-Miner can be spotty depending on the year.
If you’re writing an obit, send it in as early as possible. The paper needs time to verify the death with the funeral home or the coroner. They won't just print whatever comes in via email for security reasons. Stick to the facts, keep the adjectives meaningful but brief, and remember that this record will eventually be the microfilm someone else is searching 50 years from now.