Genealogy Chat

Hello, Can anyone tell what information there is on a death certificate? Does it give the maiden name of the wife or any immediate family? thanks Lucia:)

No it will not give the maiden name of wife. Useful stuff you MIGHT get is occupation of the deceased, their age and the name of the person who registered the death who could be a relative. Also the address where they died. If it is a child who died the 'occupation' box will say the name of the father (or the mother if a single family) Anne

Thanks Ann, I was hoping to find a maiden name as I can't find the marriage. If it is a death certificate for a married woman, would it have a maiden name? Lucia

No I'm afraid the ones I have just say 'wife of.....'. Anne

thanks for your help Lucia:)

Hi Lucia, Have you asked for help in trying to locate your 'missing' marriage? Everyone is VERY helpful on GC :) What are the details? Sioux

Hi Sioux, I was trying to find the marriage of John Gorbold to Mary in the early 1800's in Bethnal Green. I have tried looking on Familysearch, but I can't find anything. Do you think if had a look in parish records for the birth of their child, I would find the maiden name of the mother, as it doesn't give the maiden name on familysearch? thanks Lucia

In reference to mother's maiden name on death certificate. I'm have no idea how it works in the UK, however, here in the States, there is a "short form" and a "long form" version of both birth and death certificates. When sending for these forms, that is not something that the vital statistic office advises you of or nor is it something that is common knowledge apparently. I found out the hard way and had to pay for both short and long form!) You're pretty much left to the whim of the person retrieving the form for you as to whether or not they send short or long form version....unless you know to ask for the long form which includes more information, including mother's maiden name. Short form does not include this information. Could there be a short and long form used in the UK? Just a thought.... Judy

Lucia -- Pallot's marriage index covers that period and is supposed to be good for the London area. It's on Ancestry. I'm not currently subscribed, but somebody out there could have a quick look?

Hi Robin, thanks for the advice, I have already asked someone to look and they didn't find anything. Do you know if this marriage index is complete? Lucia

Just for the record, Scottish death certificates do have the maiden name of deceased married females and would also have her mothers maiden name. Death certificates of married males would not state the wifes maiden name. Regards Margaret

Thanks for that margaret, I do have some scottish ancestors, I need to find out about. Lucia:)

Hi Lucia I have five death certs for males in Scotland and they all state their wives maiden names Regards Shona

Thanks Shona, What other details do Scottish death certificates have? Lucia:)

Hi Lucia The ones I have from Scotland have name and profession, whether married etc. Under this on the ones I have is written the name of their spouse or widow. When and where died,age, name and surname and profesion of father, name and maiden name of mother, cause of death and signature of informant and address if out of the house in which the death occurred as well as date and registrar etc. I have found them a good source of info, especially with addresses and informants when they are related. Sometimes the wifes maiden name has helped me confirm that I hae the correct person. My three great great uncles stated their fathers name was William on their marriage certs and Jeremiah was on their death certs. The wifes maiden name in these cases was a big help to me Regards Shona

This is a very good website and will tell you what you can except to find on certificates. http://home.clara.net/dixons/Certificates/births.htm Steve

Thanks Shona, I want to find my ggrandfather, and I am finding it a bit difficult, because I think he was illegitimate and adopted. Getting a death certificate, would help a lot. If he was adopted, would the certificate have his real parents or adopted parents? Lucia:)

thanks Steven, have bookmarked this site. Lucia:)