The index database has in excess of 9 million records compiled from more than 470 newspapers and other sources across Australia.
[4] The idea of an index was first suggested by John Graham, convenor of the Sydney Dead Persons Society, in 1998.
[5] The concept gained momentum the following year when another member of the society, Joyce Ryerson, revealed that she had a 14-year collection of death notices from The Sydney Morning Herald kept in her laundry.
[6] A team of volunteers worked three years to compile the index from this initial material.
It has just (2023) celebrated its 25th anniversary as a website, with three of the founding members (President John Graham, Secretary Pauline Kettle and Committee Member Peter Kettle) still heavily involved.