Actually there is a 'free' entry point - but it does not have the various search features as the paid side. Also the birth index is available again without the search features and one has to page through - So if you do SMITH and there are hundres of pages...... ----- Original Message ----- From: "the cohens" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:45 PM Subject: Re: [CALOSANG] OBIT Historical obituaries are pretty hard to find at best, and even worse without a date and location for the death. For the first deaths you asked about, around or just after 1920, you can register at VitalSearch for free and search the California Death Indices for 1920-1929 and the other for 1930-39 to see if you can find the date and county. http://www.vitalsearch-ca.com/gen/ca/_vitals/cadeathm.htm For your 1963 death in California, check the index at: http://vitals.rootsweb.com/ca/death/search.cgi