Genealogy Chat

Sylvia,

Yes, there are many errors on death certificates and in sum total you may not learn a lot that is new but instead of just adding names to a tree, as with other certificates, you can be at the start of an exciting investigation. For example I was unable to find the death of my gt-grandfather in London, where he had always lived. As I wanted to kill him off satisfactorily I applied, without much hope, for a death certificate in Stockport. It was him: he had become depressed by the death of his wife and by the execution of his brother (against whom he had been a witness) and had become addicted to gambling. He had taken the train to Liverpool, lost his money and had started walking back to London. In Stockport he threw himself from a height to his death. As you can imagine, this was well reported in the newspapers.

I have yet to chase up another ancestor who had "death caused by own carelessness". It certainly sounds intriguing.

Peter

Death certificates can be really informative.
I bought one for what I hoped was the widow of my great uncle, but as it was 'out of known area' I couldn't be sure.( 1950s)
What a revelation when it came.
The death was registered by her daughter. WHAT ?
They were known to not have had any children as they'd married rather later than most, ..in 1907.
Digging around in census and bmd revealed a more than probable illegitimate daughter born to Emma in 1893.

Women's certs usually name their husband, but men's don't name their wife unless she is the informant.

Gwyn

I find the death certificate to be the most useless of all certificates!!


why?


well, the only thing you can guarantee will be correct are the date of death, the cause of death, and the name of the informant!


Everything else is based on what the informant knew ...... which is often what she/he was told by the deceased.

So the name may be wrong

the age may be wrong

the marital status may be wrong, or incomplete (ie no name of spouse)

the informant may or may not be a relative


For example, my gg grandfather was married twice. His first wife died young, the informant is apparently a neighbour woman who was present at the death ......... even though James was still alive.



sylvia

Actually, Alex, I think Ericthered and I are both right, or both wrong! I was just looking at my death certificates. One for my gt. grandfather in 1894 doesn't give his wife's name, only the person reporting the death who wasn't related.
In the case of my gt. gt. grandmother in 1863 it gives her father's name (she wasn't married) as well as the person reporting the death.
Gt. grandfather in 1908 doesn't give wife's name but gives name of person reporting and says son of deceased.
Others in 1907 and 1914 give spouse's name.

Alex,

You don't have to apply for both: the first one might be the right one.

I always get death certificates as they are the most interesting and unpredictable. The circumstances of the death and perhaps the informant may surprise you.

Peter

That's interesting Ericthered, her husband William Nicholson was alive then in 1853 so this could give proof that I have the right person.

Thanks Alex

It should.........

Thank you Ericthered and Margaret.

I will have a look on fbmd

I was hoping to find out who her husband was but as you say it may not be on there.

Alex

If the death is of a woman who has been married, it will state that she is the wife - or widow - of (husband's name)

You get the date and place of death and the cause but you don't necessarily get any family member's names, only the name of the person reporting the death.

freebmd website has details of what is contained in certs..............

Introduction
Heading
Register Number
Date and Place of Death
Sex
Age
Occupation
Cause Of Death
Name and Surname of the Deceased
Informant's Details
Date of Registration
Registrar's Signature

I've never sent for a death certificate before and wondered what sort of information you could get from one?

I have two posibles with the same name in the same year, so don't really want to send for them both if you don't get much information.

Thanks Alex