How can I find out if an ancestor remarried?

Question:I would really like to know if an ancestor of mine remarried after she was widowed as I couldn't find a death record for her in her known marital name. How do I go about researching that. Still new to genealogy so just not sure where to start. Thanks in advance of any help.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I would really like to know if an ancestor of mine remarried after she was widowed as I couldn't find a death record for her in her known marital name. How do I go about researching that. Still new to genealogy so just not sure where to start. Thanks in advance of any help.

That you couldn't find a death record (assuming you are looking online) isn't that unusual - under any name. While a lot is available it is nowhere near exhaustive.

If you could give this ancestors name, date of birth, (maybe parents - or a child if the child is also deceased), where they were born/lived, etc. maybe some of the more experienced people here could help.

But this is one of the toughest problems in genealogy - following a woman through marriage (and surname change) or backing up from a married woman whose maiden name is not known.

Make sure you search both with her maiden name and with the surname of her first husband. Often a woman who was widowed would keep the husband's surname (especially if there were children) right up to the second marriage (if there was one). Some though reverted back to their birth surname.

It really is a tough task, but does feel good when you crack it.

I think your best plan of action is to search through the marriage index for your grans name, I would look first of all for her former married name. If that fails I would then search using her maiden name. I think that's the only way you can find out if she remarried.
If you would like any help with the search I would be quite happy to help out, I have global collection membership with the ancestry's, you can email me at mamsgel1956@yahoo.co.uk
Hope this helps.

Sometimes death records were held in churches or sent to state archives. One way to find out is to talk to older relatives or look for obituaries of family members. Those obituaries will tell you more about the family relationships. Also, if you have an idea where she is buried you could check local funeral homes. They have a wealth of information. Good luck.