Tennessee Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

Which of the following is a free resource to check if a person has died?

1. Death Master Files

2. Genealogy Banks

3. FamilySearch

4. American Ancestors

The correct answer is: FamilySearch

The correct choice is FamilySearch, as it is a widely recognized and free resource specifically designed to help users research genealogical records, including information about deaths. FamilySearch provides access to a vast collection of records that can assist in determining whether a person has passed away, including indexes of death certificates, obituaries, and cemetery records. Its extensive database is free for the public to use, making it an accessible option for those looking to verify a person's death. In contrast, the Death Master Files typically require a paid subscription for full access and are more specialized in nature, primarily used for specific legal or financial purposes rather than broad genealogical searches. Genealogy Banks often involve subscription fees for comprehensive access to their archival material, and while they can provide death records, they are not universally free. American Ancestors primarily focuses on genealogical research pertinent to New England and may involve fees for access to detailed records, which makes it less suited as a free resource for checking a person’s death status.