have you tried the London Gazette; it's free. You may not get the actual obit, but if his lawyer was seeking debtors/creditors in relation to monies that may have been owing, there would have been an entry with details including his d.o.d. It is worth trying from about 5yrs after his death. Also for other business related mentions, it is worth seeking mentions of him during his adult life. http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/search good luck Fionnghal > I'm searching for any obituary or death notice for James Mackenzie ROBERTS, a surveyor and architect who was lodging at 7 Edward Street, Newington, Surrey when he died on 30 March 1890. His home was at Dedham, Essex and he was buried there (well, actually, at the neighbouring parish of Brantham, Suffolk), but no local Essex or Suffolk newspaper seems to have carried any obit........