Genealogy Chat

Hi My late grandmother often told me that her parents died when she was very young, but would not elaborate further. I now she was an orphan at an early age and have always assumed that her parents died around about the same time as each other. My grandmother was born in 1917 so I'm assuming that her parents died in the 1920's or early 1930's. Does anyone know whether there was an epidemic, perhaps inluenza or similar during these periods. Unfortunately my grandmother declined to discuss her past very much, therefore I have no idea about when or how her parents died. I may be making a stab in the dark, but thought it may be worh asking. Thanks Nicola

Big flu epidemic in 1918/19 killed more people than the first world war. Anne

Yes Annes right Nicola, Started in 1918 and carried on into the 20's and thirties's. If you Google, you will find as much info on this as you need. Lin xx

TB was also a big killer at the time. To know for sure obtain their death certs. Rachel

Thanks for your replies. I've found one entry on Ancestry (the free search one) which looks like it could fit. It would've been my nan's mother. If it is she died when my nan would've been about 2. How sad. I can't find her dad though. Perhaps they didn't die at the same time after all.

I've got a recollection that there were also epidemics of scarlet fever and the like, brought in through the ports.

DIPTHERIA. Giant - and I mean G I A N T posters everywhere.

Nicola, If you haven't already got it, get gran's birth cert to give the names of her parents - this should help you to identify their deaths. Perhaps her father was killed in the war? Jay

Yes definitely diphtheria was one. My Mum was born in 1917 too and although I don't know the year, I do know she contracted diphtheria and was very seriously ill. Jan xx