Death is weird. One minute you're arguing over who left the milk out, and the next, you're trying to figure out how to condense seventy years of a human life into a three-hundred-word paragraph. If you've spent any time in Scioto County, you know that the portsmouth oh daily times obits are basically the town's morning roll call. It’s how we keep track of the neighbors we lost, the coaches who taught us to swing a bat, and the quiet grandmothers who made the best buckeyes in the tri-state area.
Honestly, in a world of Facebook posts and fleeting "rest in peace" tweets, there is something solid about seeing a name in the Daily Times. It feels official. It feels like a permanent record of a life lived right here on the banks of the Ohio River. But let’s be real: finding these records or figuring out how to post one yourself isn't always as straightforward as it used to be.
Where to Find Portsmouth OH Daily Times Obits Today
The way we read the news has shifted, and the "obits" moved right along with it. You aren’t just stuck waiting for the paper boy to toss a bundle onto your porch anymore. If you're looking for someone specific, you basically have two main paths: the digital archives and the physical library.
Most people start online. The Portsmouth Daily Times partners with Legacy.com, which is pretty much the industry standard now. You can jump on there and search by name, date, or even just browse the most recent listings from the last few days. It's convenient, sure. You can leave a digital candle or a note in the guestbook, which is a nice touch for family members who moved away to Columbus or Cincinnati and can't make it back for the service.
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But what if you're doing genealogy? That's a different beast. If you're hunting for a relative from the 1940s, the digital search bars might let you down. This is where the Scioto County Public Library becomes your best friend. They have an incredible local history digital collection. They’ve actually indexed these things by year and surname. Sometimes a name pops up twice—once for a short death notice and again for the full obituary. It’s tedious work, but it’s the only way to find those "elusive ancestors" GenealogyBank and other pros always talk about.
The Real Cost of Saying Goodbye
Let's talk money, because nobody likes a surprise bill when they're grieving. Placing an obituary in the Daily Times isn't free. Prices usually start around $98, but that’s the base rate. Most people end up paying more because, well, we have a lot to say.
The paper typically charges by the line. If you want to include a photo—and you should, because everyone wants to remember that specific smile—that adds to the total. You’re looking at a process where you email the text to the obit desk, they send you a proof, and then you pay before it hits the press. It’s a bit of a back-and-forth, but it ensures you don't have a typo in your uncle’s middle name.
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Why the Local Obit Still Beats Social Media
You might wonder why anyone bothers paying for a newspaper listing when they can just post on a community Facebook group for free. Kinda simple, actually. A Facebook post disappears into the "feed" within twelve hours. An entry in the portsmouth oh daily times obits is archived. It's indexed. It becomes part of the history of Portsmouth, Ohio.
Years from now, someone's great-grandkid is going to be sitting at a computer (or whatever we're using in 2050) looking for their roots. They aren't going to find a "story" that expired in 24 hours. They’re going to find that archived newspaper record. It’s about being part of the community’s collective memory.
Common Mistakes People Make
I’ve seen a lot of these over the years. People get overwhelmed and forget the basics. Here’s the "keep it simple" list of what actually needs to be in there:
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- Full Name and Nicknames: If everyone knew him as "Boog," put that in there.
- Service Details: Dates, times, and locations. Be specific. If it’s at Ralph F. Scott or Brant’s, make sure the address is clear for out-of-towners.
- Verification: The paper won't just take your word for it. They usually need to verify the passing with the funeral home or see a death certificate. It’s a safety measure so nobody pulls a "Mark Twain" and reads about their own death while eating breakfast.
- Donation Info: If you want people to give to the Sierra’s Haven or a local church instead of flowers, put that link right at the bottom.
Tips for Researching Older Records
If you’re digging through the archives, keep your mind open about spellings. Honestly, the old typesetters made mistakes. A "Smyth" might be a "Smith." A "Jonathon" might be a "Jonathan." Also, back in the day, women were often listed only by their husband's name—like "Mrs. Robert Jones." It’s frustrating, but the Scioto County library folks have worked hard to cross-reference these to find maiden names whenever possible.
When searching the portsmouth oh daily times obits for historical purposes:
- Search by initials. Sometimes that's all they used.
- Look for the day after. If someone died on a Tuesday, the obit might not show up until Thursday.
- Check the surrounding towns. Sometimes people lived in New Boston or Wheelersburg but were listed in the main Portsmouth paper.
Finding Peace in the Pages
At the end of the day, these listings are more than just text on a screen or ink on a page. They’re a tribute. Whether you’re looking for a long-lost cousin or trying to honor a parent, the Daily Times remains the heartbeat of Scioto County's history. It’s a tough thing to write, and an even tougher thing to read sometimes, but it’s a vital part of how we say goodbye in this corner of Ohio.
Next Steps for Readers:
- For Recent Notices: Visit the Portsmouth Daily Times Legacy page to see today's newest listings.
- For Genealogy Research: Head to the Scioto County Public Library Digital Collection to search their indexed PDF archives of the Daily Times dating back decades.
- To Submit a Notice: Contact the obituary department via email or call (888) 823-8554 to get a price quote and proof before publication.