Finding aid for the Boyd's Funeral Home Records

History of Boyd's Funeral Home

E. F. Boyd & Son Funeral Home, founded by Elmer Franklin Boyd (1878-1944) in 1905, is one of the oldest African American funeral homes in Cleveland, Ohio. Boyd learned the embalming trade at Clark's College of Embalming in Cincinnati and Meyer's Embalming School in Springfield. The business was initially located at 2604 East Central Avenue. The following year he took in a partner, Lewis J. Dean, but Dean left the business in 1911. The funeral home moved to 2276 E. 43rd in 1919, and to 2165 E. 89th St. in 1938. Elmer F. Boyd was also the founder of the Cleveland Funeral Directors Association, and was a leader in community affairs. Boyd's son, William F. Boyd (b.1915) joined the business in 1938, and that year the name of the funeral home changed to E. F Boyd & Son and the business moved to East 89th Street. After E. F. Boyd died in 1944, William F. Boyd headed the company, and subsequently expanded its operations. A branch location opened in 1972 at 15357 Euclid Avenue in East Cleveland. William F. Body headed the company until 1991, when his son William F. Boyd, II (b. 1941) took over, along with his siblings, the family business. A third funeral home located on 25900 Emery Rd., Warrensville Heights, opened in 1996. By 2004, this family-run business had nearly 30 full-time employees (including the fourth generation of Boyds) with its main branch remaining at the East 89th location. Many of the most prominent citizens, white and black, as well as an economic cross section of Cleveland's black community were buried by Boyd Funeral Home.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Elmer F. Boyd

Scope and Content

The Boyd's Funeral Home Records, 1906-1944, consist of funeral records (1906-1944), financial records (ca. 1919-1944), and clippings relating to Elmer F. Boyd. Most of the collection consists of photocopies.

This collection is of value to researchers seeking materials related to the history and business activities of Boyd Funeral Home. Researchers wishing to chart the impact of disease, poverty, war, and health issues on the death rates of the African American community in Cleveland, Ohio will find this material of particular use. Researchers will also gain information regarding the range of occupations within the African American community. Genealogists will find information on family history, the listing of parents' names, and birth and death dates of the deceased useful.

click here to view the searchable index to the funeral records contained in this collection

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 4908 E. F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home Records, Series II;
and the searchable index to the funeral records contained in this collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 3531 Boyd's Funeral Home Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift E. F. Boyd Funeral Home in 1971.

Detailed Description of The Collection