Finding a specific name in the Meriden Record Journal obituaries today isn't always as simple as opening a fresh newspaper or hitting a single website. Things have changed. If you’re looking for someone from the Meriden, Wallingford, or Southington area, you've probably noticed that the digital shift has made things both easier and, weirdly, a bit more fragmented.
Honestly, the way we track local passings in Central Connecticut has been overhauled. In late 2023, the Record-Journal—which had been family-owned since just after the Civil War—was sold to Hearst Connecticut Media Group. That’s a huge deal. It means the "local" paper is now part of a massive network that includes the New Haven Register and the Connecticut Post.
Because of that, where you find your information depends on whether you're looking for a formal notice, a full life story, or just a quick check on service times.
Where to find Meriden Record Journal obituaries today
If you need the most recent listings for January 13, 2026, your first stop is usually the digital portal. The Record-Journal partners with Legacy.com to host its obituary database. This is basically the industry standard now, but it means you’re navigating a high-traffic site.
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Today's listings include several local residents who made a real impact on the community. For instance, Fernne F. LeMay and Rose-Marie C. Murtagh are among those recently remembered. You’ll also find notices for William F. Scott and Albert James Nash.
The names change daily.
One thing people often miss: the "print" date versus the "death" date. Sometimes an obituary doesn't appear for several days—or even a week—after a person passes away. This happens because families need time to gather photos and write the text, or they’re waiting for specific funeral arrangements to be finalized at local spots like John J. Ferry & Sons or Beecher & Bennett.
Recent Names in the Record-Journal
For today, January 13, 2026, here are some of the individuals being remembered in the local area:
- Fernne F. LeMay
- Rose-Marie C. Murtagh
- Albert James Nash
- Anthony P. Novicelli
- William F. Scott
- Angel Soto
Yesterday’s listings (January 12) included Ramonita Hernandez-Medina and Robert Manthay. If you missed a day, don't sweat it. The online archive is pretty robust and goes back decades.
The Hearst Factor: Why things look different
When Hearst took over, they integrated the Record-Journal into the CT Insider ecosystem. If you go to the old website, you might get redirected. Don’t let that throw you off.
The Record-Journal still maintains its local identity, but the digital backbone is now much larger. This is actually a plus for searchability. Because the paper is part of a statewide group, an obituary published in Meriden is now more likely to be seen by someone in Stamford or Bridgeport who might have known the deceased.
How to search the archives properly
If you’re doing genealogy or looking for someone from a few months back, a simple Google search for Meriden Record Journal obituaries today might bring up too much clutter.
Instead, try these specific tactics:
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- Use the "Advanced Search" on Legacy: Don't just type the name. Filter by "Meriden, CT" and set a date range. This prevents you from seeing 500 people with the same name from California or Texas.
- Check the Funeral Home Site Directly: Sometimes the newspaper notice is short to save money, but the funeral home website (like Wallingford Memorial) will have the full-length story and a massive photo gallery for free.
- The Library of Congress/Chronicling America: If you're looking for stuff from the 1800s, this is the place. The Record-Journal started as "The Weekly Visitor" in 1867.
How much does it cost to place an obit?
This is the part no one wants to talk about until they have to. It's expensive. In 2026, the Record-Journal typically charges based on the length of the notice.
A basic notice might start around $50 per inch, plus an extra $53 for a photo. If you want a long, detailed story with multiple photos, you could easily be looking at $300 to $600. Some people choose a "death notice" instead—which is just the bare facts (name, date, service info)—to keep costs down.
Why local obituaries still matter
In an era of Facebook and Instagram, you might think the newspaper obituary is a relic. It's not. For many in Meriden and Wallingford, the Record-Journal is the official "record of life."
It’s about the details. Like Virginia "Ginger" Marie Alwang, whose recent obituary mentioned her love for the Hunter Women's Golf Group and her time on the Meriden Library Board. Those little details—the fact that she sang in the Meriden Community Chorus—don't always make it into a social media post.
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The obituary serves as a permanent historical document. It’s a piece of the city's story.
Actionable steps for finding what you need
- Bookmark the direct Legacy portal: It’s faster than navigating through the news homepage.
- Search by keywords, not just names: If you can't remember a last name, try searching for the high school they went to (like "Platt High" or "Maloney") alongside the word "obituary."
- Sign the Guestbook: If you find a friend’s notice, leave a comment. Families actually read those months later when the initial shock of the loss has faded, and it means a lot to them.
- Check the "In Memoriam" section: Around anniversaries, families often post short "Thinking of you" notices that won't appear in the main obituary search.
If you’re looking for a specific person today, start with the names listed above. If they aren't there, check back tomorrow morning around 7:00 AM, as that's when the digital database typically refreshes with the latest print edition data.