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Question about a death certificate

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Colette

Colette Report 9 Mar 2006 11:51

Today i received the death certificate for my gggg grandfather who died 1840 age 50. Now let me apologise in advance for what may seem a really stupid question but would that be his general decline (at the age of 50???)or does it mean there was no noticible reason for his death and a physician had no answer and this was written. Cheers Colette

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 9 Mar 2006 11:54

well 50 then was a good age bearing in mind the poor living conditions a lot lived in.I would say that the man didnt have a specific illness,just passed away naturally

Researching:
Surname Fahse. Germany. Essex .South East London My avatar is one of our wedding photos of 1957

Heather

Heather Report 9 Mar 2006 11:57

Bit feeble on the part of the doctor wasnt it! I had guys living to their 90s in that time range, I would have thought a 50 year old would merit a bit more info!

Glen In Tinsel Knickers

Glen In Tinsel Knickers Report 9 Mar 2006 11:57

Are you saying general decline was given as the cause of death? In the 1840's 50 years of age would be considered to be around or possibly above average life expectancy. Often a doctor was only consulted to confirm the death,the deceased may not have seen a doctor due to any illness with fatal consequences. Glen

Colette

Colette Report 9 Mar 2006 12:03

Thanks for the replies, i was hoping for a something a bit juicier than the one word, which could mean a lot of things. May have to send for another certificate now to make up for that one, hah !!!! Colette

Colette

Colette Report 9 Mar 2006 12:07

More apologies to all, missed out the most important piece of info on first message. the death column just said DECLINE, i wonder i got any replies with only half a message apologies, going away now to learn how to post properly..........

Carole

Carole Report 9 Mar 2006 12:23

It really gives an indication of the quality of life expectancy. I had 'rheumatism' on one of the certs i have. Another one was 'brain disease' It might be quite fun to make a collection of conditions causing death! Best wishes Carole

Researching:
I should like to make this last subscription payment to be my final.

Merry

Merry Report 9 Mar 2006 12:26

I thought decline (in someone not too old) was sometimes used as a euphamism for phthisis (pulmonary TB)....but I may be wrong about that??? Merry

Chrispynoodle

Chrispynoodle Report 9 Mar 2006 13:01

One of my rellies died of 'diarrhoea - 10 weeks'. Blimey. think that still runs in the family!!! Chris

Heather

Heather Report 9 Mar 2006 13:02

Carole - I cant believe you have never seen our amusing deaths thread! Ill see if I can bump it up.

Dizzy Lizzy 205090

Dizzy Lizzy 205090 Report 9 Mar 2006 13:06

From http://www.paul_smith.doctors.org.uk/ArchaicMedicalTerms.htm Decline: Used as a specific term to mean Tuberculosis May, of course, have the usual meaning too Liz