Genealogy Chat

I'm double checking alot of info I have been given on here from other members with records from the NBI. Quite often the date I have been given as a death date is matching my ancestors burial dates. I'm wondering whether it was common for people to be buried the same day of death pre 1850? Or is it more likely those who have shared the info with me have entered a burial date as a death date, (not neccesarily because they are sloppy but because of GR's restrictive layout I suspect). Any thoughts?

I agree with Reggie - I have very rarely seen death dates entered in a PR, just the burial service date. With the odd exception if the deceased was noteworthy in some way. I occasionally get a death date from a monumental inscription - that is, where I havent got a death cert. So most of my 'death dates' in my tree, are burial dates. OC

Parish records would be unlikely to have death dates........only burials. And civil registration didn't start until 1837......... Reg

Any idea what the usual time between a death and a burial was in those days? The only definite I have is a relative who died Dec 4 and was buried 13th in 1853, so just over a week in his case. I'm guessing though it may have been unusual in his case, he died fairly young.

Richard Quite unusual - 2,3,4 days seems to be the norm with mine - although most of mine died where they lived, so no transporting of bodies needed. No refrigeration in those days, either.... OC

Ok, thanks for the replies guys. I think I will just note down the month rather than 'guestimate' in that case!