What is: The Ryerson Index

The Ryerson Index to death notices and obituaries in Australian newspapers is pretty much what it says on the tin. It was started in 1998 by members of the Sydney Dead Persons Association so it is most complete for the Sydney and NSW papers, but they have volunteers working in other regions too.

This index will give you full name (as shown in the newspaper), age, date, type of notice, newspaper name and date, and other details which may include the location of death and/or where the person was from. It doesn't include the name of the person who inserted the notice or other family names so you'll need to go to the original notice for that.

Death of Alderman Davis.

Nowra Leader, 15th March 1918

Death has claimed another of the hardy pioneers who assisted to blaze the track, in the person of Alderman James Davis of South Shoalhaven. Early in December last, the deceased entered Lewisham Hospital for treatment, but an operation disclosed the fact that his complaint was beyond medical skill. Though he fully realised that he was fast, approaching the end of life's journey, he went about putting his worldly affairs in order with the same spirit that characterised the deceased through life. This work accomplished, and his vitality still further sapped by the malady from which he suffered, he was obliged to take to his bed some five weeks ago. Retaining his mental faculties, he gradually weakened and passed peacefully away on Sunday evening last, surrounded by the members of his family, at his residence, "Riverview," Numba.