Genealogy Chat

Hi,

I see from the records put online recently that my great great great gransfather (Henry William Champ) died in the Newington Workhouse in May 1894 aged 62. Can anybody tell me why it is that I am unable to find a death certifcate for him ?

Thanks, Chris

Hi Chris, have had a good search... but not found anything...except that I noticed on the images it says in some cases under 'where buried' the place eg Newington...and under some the rather dismissive sounding 'Taken Out'...
I don't know if this is significant in any way?

Hi,

I believe that most people who died in the workhouse were buried in the workhouses own burial ground but that the family of the deceased were able to claim the body if they so wished for burial elsewhere. I expect that is what the term "taken out" is referring to. A body that has been claimed by the family for burial outside of the workhouse.

The fact that someone died in a workhouse should not affect the registration of the death though. The death should still have been registered. Have you tried contacting the register office that covers the area in which your ancestor died? They may be able to shed some light on it for you.

Good luck,
Caz

Hello Chris I also can't find a death certificate for my great/grandfather who died between 1889-1891 he was not in a workhouse but I do beleive now after 7 years that some deaths were not recorded as his is not the only one i can't find
Margaret