Genealogy Chat

Can you please tell me when you order a death certificate does it tell you how the person dies, my husbands grandfather died quite young the family always believed he died in an accident at work, but when talking to another member of the family they said he died of cancer, so before I go ordering the certificate I just wanted to make sure of what it will tell me

Lynne

It will tell you what is on the death certificate.

Thank you both for your replies

Lynne x

I have a death cert in 1913 which was an accident at work.No details given.Coroner signed the cert

Another one in 1864 gave cause of death diptheria 12 days pneumonia 4 days.

Another works accident in 1854 said injuries to head and face caused by explosion of gun powder lived 17 days.

It seems to depend on the doctor as to what details are given

I have one in 1909 for my maternal grt grandad says died from injuries when a 9 tonne boiler fell on him in Surrey Docks place of death Seamans Hospital Poplar London. poor man was 52
The Coroner is the informant.

if it was due to an accident the coroner is usually the informant, family members are not involved when registering thedeath in such circumstances.

The cause of death column might have several details or just a few, often a newspaper report into an accident can be found in the local papers (the local reference library usually hold those).

Glen

I have one death certificate that simply states "old age" as the reason whereas another is extremely detailed and lists 4 different causes. As has already been said, it depends on the doctor and, of course, whether the deceased had any long-term illnesses that contributed to their death. Incidentally, Column No.7 on the certificate gives useful details about the person submitting the info. and I have often found this to provide yet another link in my research.