Finding a specific notice in the obituaries Delaware State News used to be as simple as picking up the morning paper off your driveway in Dover. But honestly, things have changed. If you’re looking for a loved one or doing genealogy research in 2026, you've probably realized that the "State News" doesn't look like it used to. It's basically shifted its identity, and if you don't know where to click, you'll end up staring at a 404 error page or an outdated archive.
The Delaware State News is the flagship of Independent Newsmedia, and today, its digital heart beats at Bay to Bay News. It’s the same team, but the platform is broader. People often get frustrated because they search for the old name and miss the current listings. Whether you’re trying to find a service time for a friend who passed away in Milford or you're digging into Kent County history, you need the right roadmap.
Why Obituaries Delaware State News Still Matter
Local news is shrinking everywhere. You’ve seen it. National chains buy up small-town papers and gut the staff. But the obituaries Delaware State News carries remain a vital record because this paper is owned by a non-profit trust. They aren't just "content"; they are the primary historical record for Central and Southern Delaware.
When someone passes in Dover, Smyrna, or Harrington, this is where the story lives. Unlike social media posts that disappear into an algorithm, these notices are indexed, archived, and preserved. They serve two main groups of people:
- The Bereaved: Those who need to know where the viewing is at Torbert Funeral Chapel or when the service at Pippin Funeral Home starts.
- The Researchers: Genealogists who realize that a 1950s obituary is often the only place to find a mother's maiden name or a list of surviving siblings who moved "out West."
The Digital Shift: From Paper to Bay to Bay
In July 2022, the paper made a massive shift. They cut back on print days to fight rising paper costs and moved heavily into the digital space. Now, if you want the most recent obituaries Delaware State News offers, you’re looking at the Bay to Bay News portal.
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It’s actually kinda more convenient once you get used to it. You don't have to wait for Tuesday's delivery to see a notice from Sunday. The digital listings are updated constantly. If you're looking for a name like Sandra Nason or Carol Tucker—both of whom had notices recently in January 2026—you’ll find them under the "Daily State News" section of the site.
How to Search the Archives Like a Pro
Don't just type a name into Google and hope for the best. Use the site's internal search.
- Use the Exact Name: Middle initials matter in Delaware.
- Check the Town: Sometimes a person lived in Camden but the notice is listed under Dover because that’s where the funeral home is located.
- Legacy.com Integration: Most of these obits are mirrored on Legacy. This is great because it allows you to sign a digital guestbook. It’s a small way to show support when you can’t make the drive down Route 1.
What It Costs to Place a Notice
Let's talk money, because honestly, it’s expensive to die. Placing obituaries Delaware State News typically starts around $55 for a basic digital listing, but the price climbs quickly if you want it in the physical print edition.
Most people don't realize that newspapers charge by the line or the inch. If you write a three-page biography of your grandfather's love for crabbing and the Phillies, you're going to pay a few hundred dollars.
Expert Tip: Work with your funeral director. Homes like Spicer-Mullikin or Parsell often have direct portals to the newspaper. They can help you format the text to save money while still keeping the "human" parts of the story.
Common Misconceptions About Local Obits
People think everything is online forever for free. It’s not. While the current obituaries Delaware State News listings are easy to find, older records (pre-2000) often require a trip to the Delaware State Archives in Dover.
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Another big one? That the newspaper writes the obituary. Nope. The family or the funeral home provides the text. If there’s a typo in the survivor’s list, it usually came from the draft provided to the paper. Always, always double-check the spelling of "nieces" and "nephews" before hitting send.
Finding Old Records (The Genealogy Hack)
If you are looking for a relative who passed away in the 1970s, the Bay to Bay website won't help you much. You need the microfilm. The Wilmington Public Library and the University of Delaware have extensive newspaper archives on film.
If you aren't local, you can sometimes pay a small fee ($5 or so) to have a librarian search for a specific name if you have the exact date of death. It’s a slow process, but for many, it’s the only way to bridge the gap in their family tree.
Step-by-Step: How to Find Someone Today
If you need to find a notice right now, follow this sequence:
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- Visit BaytoBayNews.com: Navigate to the "Obituaries" tab.
- Filter by Region: The site covers the whole Delmarva area, so make sure you're looking at the "Daily State News" (Dover/Kent) section.
- Check Legacy.com: Search for the name plus "Delaware State News" to find the interactive memorial page.
- Verify with the Funeral Home: If the name isn't showing up yet, go directly to the website of the local funeral home. They often post the obituary a full day before it hits the newspaper.
Actionable Next Steps:
If you are planning a notice, keep your draft under 200 words to manage costs while ensuring the funeral time and location are bolded. For researchers, bookmark the Delaware State Archives "Digital Archives" page; they have indexed many older death records that can help you find the exact date needed to request a newspaper search. If you are looking for a current notice, check the site daily around 10:00 AM, as that's when most new entries are processed and pushed live.