In just a few days I am lucky enough to be taking the genealogy roadtrip of a lifetime! This year was always going to be exciting on the genealogical front. The first full year of my long-time hobby now being my profession, and a conference in Europe to attend. A floating conference, no less! However, it grew from there.
Conference #1
When I initially booked the ‘Unlock The Past’ Mediterranean genealogy cruise for late September I decided immediately that I would add a couple of extra weeks to my trip to spend some time poking around in the UK. I hadn’t decided whether to do it before or after the cruise though, so hadn’t booked the flights.
Conference #2
Then another conference in Europe came up – the MyHeritage conference in Amsterdam at the beginning of September. I had sorely wanted to go to their previous year’s conference in Oslo, and had watched some of it online, so I decided then and there I would attend this one. So, it was going to be a whole of September trip, bookended by two conferences.
Conference #3
THEN…before I could book the flights the announcement came out that Rootstech was taking place in London in October. Rootstech? The massive conference held annually in Salt Lake City that I had long dreamed of attending? In London?
Now I was torn. MyHeritage or Rootstech? September or October? Then it dawned on me. No longer did I have the constraints of a regular job. I was…drumroll…self-employed! I decided then and there that this was my year to indulge in ALL the conferences! They all had fantastic programs, and of course great opportunities to meet up with fellow genealogists from around the world. Before I could change my mind (or end up permanently in Europe as more and more conferences popped up!), I booked the flights.
Genealogy Roadtrip of a Lifetime
So now I have three major conferences across two months in Europe. I expect to learn much about refining research techniques, using new and previously untapped resources and researching in different places. I will spend some time in between each of these conferences visiting archives, libraries, and no doubt walking the streets of ancestral towns and villages in between. It feels like I’m a kid again, and it’s Christmas Eve.
I’m hoping to keep up to date with the blogging while I am away, and I will be bringing you nuggets of informational gold from the conferences (they are always great for finding out about new or untapped resources!). And possibly even some pictures…
This month there has been a genealogy roadshow around Australia like nothing seen before. For the first time, there has been a series of events solely focused on genetic genealogy. Given the rapid growth in this branch of genealogy over the past decade or so, this is a fantastic idea. Many people are very nervous when it comes to the science of genetics, especially when most genealogists are used to being focused on humanities skills for their research rather than science. And that’s where the DNA Downunder events come in.
Events are in the process of being held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney. The programs are different in each city. Each contains a full day of presentations from various experts – except for Sydney which has a 3 day ‘DNA to the Max’ event. The main speaker is Blaine Bettinger, one of the most well-known genealogists specializing in genetic genealogy on the planet.
DNA Downunder in Melbourne
Yesterday, I attended the Melbourne event. Blaine gave an introduction to DNA for those in the audience with no background in the subject. His other presentations looked at using DNA to solve mysteries from the 18th and 19th century, using third-party tools to help analyse DNA (such as Gedmatch and DNA Painter), the limitations of cousin matching and a case study from his own tree.
Blaine in action!
It was wonderful to hear how a DNA match led him to find an Australian connection. This led to him making use of our amazingly detailed Victorian death records and which now gives him the opportunity to visit an ancestral grave while here!
I was also extremely happy to hear that DNA Painter has released another fantastic tool which provides a range of charting options for your tree. This includes the ability to mark those relatives confirmed by genetic testing. This way you can make charts of not only your genealogical tree but your genetic tree too. Hopefully I will get a chance to check it out before I depart overseas in a week or so!
Louise Coakley, a well-known Australian genealogist with expertise in DNA presented on standards, ethics, risks and limitations when working with DNA (a crucial and very hot topic!), and verifying family lines. Apologies to Louise, I was too engrossed to take a photo!
The other two speakers for the Melbourne event were:
Michelle Patient, another Australian genetic genealogy expert, talking about pros and cons of the various companies offering genealogical DNA tests; and
Brad Argent from Ancestry talking about how to get the most from AncestryDNA results.
I missed both these speakers sadly as their talks were held concurrently in another room As their presentations were focussed more towards the beginners, I elected to attend the more advanced topics. I hear they were excellent though!
The day was exciting, interesting and very well organised. I hope to see more of this kind of event in the years to come. The attendance not only in Melbourne but all around the country so far has shown there is a huge demand for great quality speakers about modern genealogical techniques. Thank you to the organisers at Unlock the Past!
Abandoning genealogy research seems at best a little counter-intuitive, at worst downright crazy. But giving yourself some distance from a frustrating brick wall line can help you to knock it down.
So here’s the situation. It’s 2am. You have been going round in circles all night with a tricky ancestral line. You’ve tried every source you can think of. You are now randomly googling every variation of the ancestor’s surname you can think of, and you’re getting nowhere. You are at an impasse and your eyes are dropping out of your head. Is this productive? Chances are, you’re not going to find this ancestor tonight, and if you find a clue, you’re now so tired and so close to the problem that you risk missing it. So it really is time to call it quits and go to bed.
Extrapolate this situation to one lasting for several weeks, months or even years. Some of our ancestors really do test the limits of our research skills with their ability to hide from all who wish to document their existence!
What to do when the ancestors aren’t cooperating
My advice – abandoning genealogy research for a while can be extremely effective. Even if it’s just that one pesky family line.
Science backs this up. There appear to be multiple reasons why a distraction, even a short one, can help with problem-solving. The brain unconsciously continues to work on the problem in the background. Having a quiet mind helps connections to be made, but the effects of even brief distractions can be remarkable. The problems appear to be restructured during the process, allowing for new solutions to present themselves as fresh insight. AHA!!!
This wonderful ‘Eureka’ moment has happened to me several times since I took up genealogy. I’ll tuck away my notes on a branch, go pursue another one and suddenly one day I will see the answer clearly. Occasionally, when I’ve had a few resistant lines at once, I’ve taken a complete break from genealogy for a couple of weeks. It’s worked wonders.
But the thought of doing this makes me twitchy…
Don’t worry, it’s quite safe to do this. The great thing about genealogy is that your ancestors aren’t going anywhere. They’ll still be there when you get back. There will be no missed opportunities.
So try it today. Close your notebooks on the mysterious great-great-grandmother Vaughan (yes, I’m talking about YOU, Nora!). Walk away. Go do some work on the Morris family instead. Or watch a movie. See what crops up when you abandon genealogy research.
This week I’m focusing on the final resting place of our ancestors, their epitaph and other inscriptions on their headstone. Why is the information to be found at the gravesite so useful?
The headstone of Joshua Pearce of Earlham, Norfolk
What will you find on a headstone?
There are four main types of information on a headstone:
Names – usually the first and last name are provided, sometimes middle names, and quite often you will find (usually in inverted commas) any nickname they were known by.
Dates – these may be just the years of birth and death or the full birth and death dates.
Other family members – there are two ways family members may be mentioned on the headstone. They may also be buried in the same plot and have their own inscription, or they may be listed as, for example, ‘beloved husband of [name of widow]’.
Epitaphs – these are additional words inscribed on the headstone, chosen by the family. This may be an appropriate religious text or something personal about the deceased.
What’s special about the epitaph and memorial inscription?
The information on the headstone has generally come directly from the person paying for it. That is usually a family member. Therefore the information is personal. Please note that this doesn’t always mean it is 100% accurate. For example, sometimes the dates can be slightly off, or the middle names not quite right. The person giving the information was grieving at the time, so mistakes were made. Sometimes the mason would make a mistake when transcribing the requested information onto the stone. Therefore if you have several other sources for a birth year that disagree with the headstone do not presume the headstone outranks them in reliability.
The greatest value is in the information that may not be easily found in more formal documents. The details that make the name into a person. The words dedicated to them on the stone in their epitaph.
The headstone of Blanche Bowen, aged 12, of Neven, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Even when the epitaph is a simple religious verse, it can give an insight into the personality or outlook on life of the deceased ancestor. Their family chose that verse for a reason. If the epitaph is a statement or poem about them it gives an even clearer insight into them and their relationship with their family. Often touching, sometimes humorous, they provide a glimpse of the real person behind the dates.
My personal experience – I never would have known…
I was lucky enough to have a family with a vault in their local church. The parents had many children, most of whom did not live to adulthood. In fact, they tended to die so early that they had not even appeared in the baptism registers. They certainly didn’t live long enough to appear in censuses. The only record of their existence was the inscriptions on the vault. Oh and their names in the burial register, but I’d never have known they were children of this family as only their names were recorded.
One child that did reach adulthood married and set off to America on the Mormon trail, dying of cholera along the way. This was recorded on the vault, even though he was not buried there, but in an unmarked grave somewhere on the way to Utah. How would I have ever known this if it weren’t for the inscription on the vault?
Do I have to go to the burial site to read the epitaph, it’s 1000 miles from here?
Ideally, if you get the chance to visit the burial place of your ancestor I would recommend it. There is a real feeling of connection to stand at the foot of their grave and read the headstone in person. You will often also find that there are other connected families buried nearby. It’s always a bit of an adventure walking around a churchyard or cemetery, seeing who else is interred in the vicinity. However, it may not be practical or possible to visit in person.
Do not fear, there are plenty of resources available which may be able to help you. If all else fails, you can hire a professional in that local area to go find them and take photos for you!
Some sources for epitaphs and memorial inscriptions
Global
BillionGraves.com and FindAGrave.com are the two most well-known sites for finding your ancestors’ graves. Each has global though incomplete coverage. Billion Graves is GPS linked with both photos and transcriptions of the headstones. Find A Grave sometimes has photos of the grave and sometimes has biographical information provided. It is worth checking both sites for your ancestor. FindAGrave is owned by Ancestry so a search on Ancestry will also show if there is a FindAGrave entry. FindMyPast searches will find if an ancestor is in the BillionGraves database. Both sites are also indexed on FamilySearch.
Local
Many cemeteries (especially the larger ones) have online search facilities available. these will provide the location of the grave and in many cases the information on the headstone. If you know the area that your ancestor died in, try looking at the local cemetery websites.
Family history societies and genealogical societies often produce transcriptions of local churchyards and cemeteries. If you have several ancestors (or one really tricky one!) in a certain locality, it is well worth considering being a member of the local family history society. They have so much good information that is yet to make its way into the wider world and often at a substantial discount for members. Most of them have a presence on the web these days, and you should be able to purchase downloads or CD’s containing relevant data. For those with ancestors in the UK, the National Burial Index (NBI) may help you find the burial place of your ancestor. Search the NBI via FindMyPast.
Worth a try – epitaph collections!
In the ‘good old days’, people were very entertained by clever epitaphs, especially if they were witty. Several volumes were published and are now mostly out of copyright. This means you have a good chance of finding them at sites such as the Internet Archive, FamilySearch Digital Library, or Geneanet. This is a ‘potluck’ method rather than a targeted search. However, if you don’t find an ancestor’s epitaph amongst the offerings, you will certainly be entertained!
August 1st marks the beginning of National Family History Month in Australia. August is a bonanza month for anyone with an interest in genealogy (this means you, or you wouldn’t be reading this blog!). Family history events, activities, workshops and education sessions are available across the country and online. There are also bargains galore offered by providers of resources and services in the genealogy field.
National Family History Month is the brainchild of the Australasian Federation of Family History Organisations (AFFHO). But it’s not just family history societies who are holding events. Many state and local libraries, archives and other bodies are also getting involved. So wherever you are, around Australia or the world you should be able to access some of the exciting activities available.
As I write this blog there are 180 events listed on the National Family History Month website. Obviously, many of them will be in local communities – go to the website to find out what’s happening near you. However, I’ve picked out some that are more widely accessible (i.e. online!) to highlight in this blog.
Births, deaths and marriages
Marriage between (James) Augustine Hoy and May Beatrice Hindhaugh (Beard).
If you have ancestors in Victoria or New South Wales you are in luck this month. Time to check if any of your ancestors’ vital events are not yet sourced beyond an index entry and fill those gaps.
Victorian uncertified historical certificates are available here all month at a reduced price of $20, saving you $4.50 each.
For those seeking NSW ancestors, the cost of certificate transcriptions has been reduced from $20 to $18 here till August 11th and here for the whole month.
Webinars
The National Library of Australia is holding a free webinar on August 7th on their eResources. They will be specifically looking at how to access newspapers that aren’t available on Trove. More information can be found here.
The following week they are holding another free webinar covering search skills and techniques, called ‘Ask A Family History Librarian’. Bookings can be made here.
The National Library of Australia is running some great webinars this month!
Keeping abreast of events
You can keep up to date with changes and additions to the activity calendar either at the website or the Facebook page.
The genealogy world has been happily stunned this week by a massive drop in the price of post-1858 probate records and wills for the United Kingdom. When the UK Government’s Find A Will site was first launched a few years ago, wills were £ 5 and over the years that became £ 10. This week they have dropped back to only £ 1.50 each! I have heard that this may be a temporary price drop for only 12 months but have not seen the source of that information, so this may or may not be the case.
What Does This Mean For Family Historians?
In a nutshell, it means you have a golden opportunity to purchase probate records not just for all your direct ancestors, but also others in the broader family. If you recall from a recent blog post, wills can be a great way to find out who was in the extended family and how they were related to the willmaker. Often the quality of the relationships between family members was also revealed.
Finding the Probate Record
There are three ways to find the probate record details so that you can order it. There is a search facility on the site itself. This a simple surname and year search. Please note that year may not be the same as the year of death. Some estates were not settled till months or years later. The year they are asking for is the year of probate. There may also be difficulties finding the right records if the surname you are searching is common.
I recommend doing your searching at one of the other sites who have indexed these records. In most cases it will be much quicker. Once you’ve found the record, use the details to place your order at the Find A will site.
The two sites that I am aware of that have indexed the UK probate calendars are Ancestry and FindMyPast. You do not need subscriptions to do a simple search of the index.
FindMyPast holds the indexes from 1858-1959 at this stage. Its search page is slightly different in that it searches by keyword and first letter of surname. See image below.
FindMyPast Probate Calendar search page
I would advise trying one and if you don’t find your ancestor, try the other. They each use a different search algorithm so you may get lucky on the second search!
Enjoy this little windfall of genealogical joy. It may only last a year, so fill your information coffers while you can. Good luck and happy hunting!
I remember attending a genealogy conference and being shocked by a presentation by genealogist Judy Russell. She reminded us that family stories are lost within 3 generations if they are not passed down. It is true, think about it…what do you know of your great-grandparents’ lives? Unless you have had a story passed down to you by your grandparents or parents, there is probably nothing beyond the documents you have found through research.
As genealogists, we spend our time looking backwards. However we also need to look forwards, or all our work is for nothing. What will happen to your research when you are gone? Who will fill in your death date on the family tree?
There are a lot of positives around kids and genealogy. Firstly, it’s a fantastic way to spend time with them. Children are naturally curious, especially about things to do with themselves and their family. They can also offer a refreshing perspective on why things happened the way they did. Kids cut through all the social niceties and see the human nature around actions. They certainly know how to call a spade a spade, and can unwittingly help you to break down brick walls through their alternative perspectives! Out of the mouths of babes…
Research has shown that getting involved in the family’s history is good for kids’ emotional health too! They have better self-esteem, strength, resilience and sense of connection via the memories shared with them.
Get the kids interested in the family tree!
Therefore, children’s involvement in your family’s history ensures the legacy for the future while making memories in the present. It’s all about continuity!
How can you get the children to interact with the family history?
You may have noticed that one child has already taken an interest in the topic and ‘target’ them. However, my advice is to at least start with age-appropriate activities for all of them. You never know which child may suddenly get the bug depending on how engaging you can make the topic! Also, you don’t want to run the risk of children feeling left out, even if they will never be the family genealogist. If possible, catch them young. Get them used to hearing stories about how the family came to be where they are today, or how Uncle Jim saved someone from drowning.
Activity ideas:
There are lots of ways to keep the kids engaged with genealogy. Here are just a few:
Family photos spark interest for kids
Share photos and objects from your family’s past, and tell the stories that go with them.
Have them interview different family members and record their stories. Depending on their age, they could then write up one of the stories. Or they might draw a picture to give to that relative. This activity builds up connections and strengthens relationships between the generations.
Find out what they are studying at school and provide examples related to the topic from within the family tree. I did this with my son when he was studying World War I in primary school. His project included photos, medals and documents about his great-great-grandfather. It enhanced his learning, and he got a great mark. He still has that project and memories of an ancestor he never knew!
Take them on field trips. Destinations may include ancestral places, cemeteries, cultural festivals for your ethnicity, attractions set in a different era (e.g. Sovereign Hill). What kid doesn’t love a day out, and if you can tie it in with the family tree, all the better!
Make maps with them that show the places different branches of the family have lived over the centuries. Perhaps link the places with marker or ribbons to show the movement, and where each branch connected up.
There are many websites to help you find ideas too, here are just a few that may help you:
Last week we talked about why you might want to consider hiring a genealogist. This week, let’s look at some of the things you should take into account when choosing a professional genealogist to work with.
Get the Right Person For You
There are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a professional genealogist.
First and foremost must be their ability to demonstrate a high standard of genealogical research skill. If you’re paying good money, you want the results to be accurate and reliable. Anyone can call themselves a professional genealogist, it is not a phrase restricted to people who have sat a special exam.
Look for some qualifications (such as a related degree or diploma) or credentials. Credentials are often specific to a particular area of the world, which means the genealogist has to be a super specialist in that area! Your genealogist should be familiar with the Genealogical Proof Standard and be willing and able to provide research that meets this standard.
Look for extensive experience, the more the better. A good proportion of that experience should be in the area/subject matter of your research question. Someone familiar with local geography, history, customs and culture will be much more efficient with their research. If your ancestors were pioneers of the early Port Philip district, it’s better to hire someone familiar with the place and the records than to hire someone in the US for example. If you come from a line of Birmingham gunmakers and you want to do an occupational history of your family, it would be great to find someone familiar with both the gunmaking trade and Birmingham to help you with your research.
Choose a professional genealogist with good reviews. Word of mouth is an excellent indicator of quality of work.
Find someone who is willing to meet with you before beginning the project to discuss your needs. No project should begin without a mutually agreed research plan based on your objectives. They should be upfront about their fees and any other potential associated costs. You should also feel comfortable with them. Sometimes they may uncover sensitive information about your family.
Prepare to share
The sure way to have your costs blow out is to just tell the genealogist to start from scratch. Reinventing the wheel takes time, especially with more recent generations where public records are less accessible. No matter how self-conscious you may feel about the quality or amount of work that has been done so far, share it with your genealogist. They will be able to assess it much more quickly than beginning from scratch, saving you a ton of money! The genealogist will love you for it, because there is nothing worse than slaving over hot documents and writing up copious research notes to be told, “Oh we already knew that”. And you don’t want to be charged for that scenario!
How big is your budget and how do you want to spend it? It’s important to remember that your family history is never finished. You need to have a very clear idea of what you need the professional genealogist to do for you. Otherwise, you could end up asking for a little more and a little more until you’ve way exceeded what you planned to spend. Set your budget before you begin and stick to it. Make sure your genealogist is aware of where the ceiling is. As that ceiling approaches, they should let you know what they have left to do, and ask what takes precedence if the well runs dry!
There are usually two things you pay for with genealogical research:
Their time, knowledge and experience
Costs, for example, documents and if required, travel
Remember the genealogist is a professional. Do not expect a good genealogist to work for minimum wage. Anyone can do the job badly for peanuts (just take a look at some of the family trees on Ancestry!). A good genealogist is worth paying a decent rate for quality work. They will work faster and more efficiently than you expect due to practice, knowledge of where to look, and the ability to use context to point them in the right direction.
If your genealogist charges an hourly rate, specify how many hours you want to pay for. They will let you know if this is likely to be adequate to meet your research objective. Also ask if they offer a discounted rate for pre-payment or partial pre-payment. Many genealogists will happily do so for the piece of mind of not having to chase people for payment after the job is handed over. For example, if someone prepays me, I will discount by 40% for full pre-payment, and 20% for half pre-payment (in blocks of 10 hours).
Your outcome…
By the end of this process:
you have chosen an experienced professional genealogist with relevant qualifications and/or credentials, good reviews, and who is knowledgeable about your research area
you’ve decided exactly what you want from them and prepare them accordingly
you have agreed on a research plan and how to allocate your budget together
they will provide you with their findings and evidence in a report, with regular progress reports/research logs provided along the way for larger projects or between payments.
May you find amazing and intriguing stories with the help of your professional genealogist that you could never have found alone!
Stuck in your family tree? A professional genealogist can help you.
When might a professional genealogist be useful to you?
You’ve always wondered about where your family came from, you’ve watched every episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are?‘ from every country that produces the show, and you’re a ‘Long Lost Family‘ junkie. You’re a potential family historian. You’ve made a start on your family tree…or you’d like to…but there are things standing in your way. Sometimes it’s worth considering involving a professional genealogist.
You have the interest, but not the time.
We all struggle to prioritise our time these days, and with all the competing demands our hobbies often fall to the bottom of the list and become neglected (or never get started).
Use someone else’s time when you have none spare yourself!
Genealogy is a time-intensive exercise, and the less experienced you are, the longer it takes to find your way to and through all the records.
It may well be worth your while to outsource the family tree, or part of it, to a professional. This not only saves you time directly, but they are practised and efficient and likely to get the information and verify it in half the time of someone with less experience!
They can save you time by:
getting your tree started then providing you with recommendations on ‘where to go next’ with your research
analysing your work so far then providing you with recommendations on ‘where to go next’ with your research
if budget is no issue and you don’t mind missing out on the fun of doing any of it yourself, agree how far you want the tree to go and let them do it all!
finding your ancestor in a particular unindexed record you don’t have hours to trawl through
going to your family’s original hometown taking photographs of headstones and houses, and searching through all potential sources of information there.
You’ve hit a dead end
Can’t go any further? Someone can help you with that.
You’ve been working on your tree, and most lines are progressing well. But there’s just one branch that is messing with your head. Yes, it’s the ‘brick wall’ line. We all have (at least!) one. You’ve tried everything suggested here, but the wall remains firmly intact. Your other lines are getting neglected as a result.
What to do? Outsource the dead-end to a professional. A fresh pair of eyes who knows of sources you may not have tried, or who can at least eliminate some of the sources you haven’t had the time or resources to get to. You can get the wall knocked down AND be freed up to work on the rest of your tree!
A branch came from somewhere far away…
…and you don’t speak the language of the records, or don’t know what sources are available or how to get to them.
Galician immigrants, ca. 1911
This one is definitely a good reason to look for a local professional genealogist from that country. Even we professionals do this when we are outside our research comfort zones. My son has a family line from Germany. I have used Andrea Bentschneider‘s services when I need an expert in German resources local to Hamburg. It saves so much time and ultimately money (hey, I’d love to go to Germany to research but…)
You want to verify a family legend
Ever since you were a child, you’ve heard tales of how someone in your family tree was left on the steps of the local church as a foundling, or was transported as a convict, or ran off and joined the circus…can it be proved? Often, yes.
Get a professional to confirm Uncle Albert’s tall tales.
Getting a professional to dig into what may be some quite specialised record sets to find the answer can unearth some incredible stories. And even if the family legend isn’t quite right, usually there’s a germ of truth there. Often the real story is just as interesting.
Your DNA results are back…
…and you don’t have a clue what to do next! Analysing and using results from DNA tests uses quite different skill sets to traditional document-based genealogy and can be quite nerve-wracking for people at first, especially if they have no science background.
Have someone else unravel your DNA for you.
A professional genealogist with experience in genetic genealogy can be a great help in assisting you to unravel the match lists and find what you want to find.
You want to learn how to build your family tree
You may not actually want to hand over the fun of doing the tree to anyone else. You want to do it yourself but you’re not sure how to do it properly. Utilise the services of a professional to either assist you one-on-one, or you might find someone running group classes nearby (often in local libraries).
Learn from a professional so you can do it yourself.
They can help give you the research skills (including organising your research and citing your sources), point you to common resources (both general and local), advise on where to invest your genealogy subscription money for the best bang for your particular buck, and answer specific questions to may have. Then you can launch into your new hobby well-armed to build a strong and verified tree.
So there you have it. There are so many ways a professional genealogist may be able to help you kickstart, problem-solve or add depth to your family history. Can you think of any more? Comment below!
Next week, we’ll discuss what you should consider when selecting the right professional to work with, and how to get the best bang for your buck.
They died, and they didn’t really do anything after that, so why take an interest in how it happened? Well, it’s all part of their story. As we know, family history is all about the stories. The lives our ancestors led inevitably culminated in their death and their cause of death can be a major part of their story. They can also tell us a lot more about the circumstances of their life.
Some people like to know the causes of their ancestors’ deaths for their own personal medical history. It’s true this can be useful. However, it is difficult to get a feel for what ‘runs in the family’ when earlier generations died at a significantly younger age. Until the 20th century, most people didn’t have the ‘luxury’ of living long enough to develop lifestyle diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Genetic predisposition to disease is probably better determined by having a DNA test done. Then download your raw data and run the results through Promethease to discover your disease risks.
Changes in causes of death over time
Once we get back to the early 20th century and beyond, there are really two main causes of death:
Infection
no antibiotics
often poor sanitation
lack of access to clean water
the Industrial Revolution had led to crowded living conditions
vaccinations were not as widespread or sophisticated
According to the CDC, the top 3 causes of death in 1900 were pneumonia, tuberculosis (TB) and diarrhoea/enteritis.
Accidents
no workplace health and safety provisions in Victorian times and earlier (workers were expendable and easily replaced)
fast-moving machinery did not have guards or emergency stop buttons as they would today
explosions were not infrequent
As the Industrial Revolution progressed, new machinery did not always mix well with human failings. A member of my family tree well known for his clumsiness managed to die after being run over by Stevenson’s Rocket. Therefore he became the first person to die in a railway accident! Not just a story, but a whole book has come out of that tale…
Workers in the fuse factory Woolwich Arsenal
Where can you find the causes of death for your ancestors?
The most reliable source of the cause of death is the death certificate. It is also the most accessible and formal source containing the doctor’s direct diagnosis. The contents of death certificates vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, and some contain more useful information than others. However, they all contain the cause of death where it is known. Sometimes the death certificate will point you to an inquest. If the inquest files survive for your ancestor’s case, these can be fascinating. They will not only give a fuller description of the cause of death but often the circumstances surrounding it. Therefore I heartily recommend tracking them down. Of course inquests were the exception rather than the rule and only done when the death was unusual or suspicious.
Other potential sources of causes of death include burial registers and occasionally memorial inscriptions. These causes are supplied by a family member, so may not be as accurate as the death certificate (or a less technical term or a euphemism may be used).
Newspapers can also be a useful source of details around a death. Was your ancestor was well known in the community? Look for an obituary. Was there a link between your ancestor and an epidemic (for example, the ‘Spanish flu’ of 1918) or an event (such as the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, a factory explosion or a mine collapse)? Your ancestor may or may not be mentioned by name in the newspaper coverage of these incidents, but at the very least you get some further background about what happened.
Old medical terminology (Wait…this cause of death is something I’ve never heard of…)
Here is a list of some of the more common archaic names for diseases you might find, along with the modern name you may be more familiar with.
Ague – Malaria
Apoplexy – Stroke
Bilious fever – Typhoid fever
Brain fever – Meningitis
Breakbone – Dengue fever
Bright’s Disease – Kidney disease
Camp fever – Typhus
Childbed fever – Puerperal fever
Chincough – Whooping Cough
Confinement – Puerperal fever
Consumption – Tuberculosis
Decline – Tuberculosis
Dropsy – Oedema (swelling), usually from congestive heart failure or kidney disease
Dropsy of brain – Encephalitis
Enteric fever – Typhoid fever
Falling sickness – Epilepsy
French Pox – Syphilis
General paralysis – Tertiary syphilis
Inanition – Starvation
Infantile paralysis – Polio
King’s Evil– Tuberculosis of lymph glands
Le Grippe – Influenza
Lockjaw – Tetanus
Lung fever – Pneumonia
Marasmus – Malnutrition
Mortification – Gangrene
Natural decay – Old age
Phthisis – Tuberculosis
Pott’s Disease– Tuberculosis of spine
Purpura – Puerperal fever
Putrid fever – Diptheria
Quinsy – Tonsillitis
Scrofula– Tuberculosis of lymph glands
Softening of the brain – Dementia
The Grip – Influenza
The Pox – Smallpox (usually)
Winter fever – Pneumonia
Doctor avoiding catching the plague by wearing a mask filled with herbs and carrying a stick to avoid touching the patient and keep the family away from him!
What is the most unusual cause of death you’ve found in your family tree? Comment below!
