If $X$ is a curve with a nodal singularity at $x$, it's referred to [here][1] and [here][2] that its dualising sheaf is
$$\omega_X \ = \ \pi_*(\Omega_{X}(p_1+\cdots+p_n)').$$
Here, $\pi:X\to X'$ is the normalisation and $\Omega_{X}(p_1+\cdots+p_n)'$ are the forms $\theta$ which have at worst simple poles at $\pi^{-1}(x)=\{p_1,...,p_n\}$, satisfying
$$\sum_i \text{Res}_{p_i}\theta\ = \ 0 .$$

 1. What is the proof that this is the dualising sheaf? I can't find a reference, even in the complex-analytic case.
 2. What happens when $X$ has other types of singularities (and what is the proof)? For instance, working complex-analytically, what if $X$ is locally
$$(z-\alpha_1w)\cdots(z-\alpha_nw)\ = 0 \ ?$$

  [1]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/317/dualizing-sheaf-on-singular-curves
  [2]: https://mathoverflow.net/questions/58559/dualizing-sheaf-of-a-nodal-curve