Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know if a Nun's death would be registered in her birth name. I have been trying to trace a family member for sometime who has completely disappeared. The Little Sisters convent in Greenock keeps cropping up for other members of her family and I wondered if she could have been a Nun. A 2nd cousin(found here a few weeks ago), has contacted the Convent and they can't give out any info. What do you think?

I would have thought her death would have been registered as Sister X ot Mother X. She would have been married to G_d in the eyes of the convent and nolonger the person she was before, hence they would change her name. For example Jane Smith could become Sister Bridget and Mary Jones could become Mother Elizabeth. The same would apply for monks.

Thanks Lunar, You're probably right. I'm clutching at straws now. She's driving me round the bend as is the convent connection. But I won't be beaten. I'll find her someday. Probably in another world.

Not so sure - because looking at the 1901 census for Burnley for my missing Annie Norman came across a Josephine Norman at the Sisters of Mercy Convent. This could be my Annie's sister/cousin which might explain her presence in the town from Ireland. Also remember at school a nun's real name being used for something (what I can't remember now good 40 years ago)!!

Hi Nuns deaths are registered in their birth names Tom

Night Watch (love your name by the way) I went to a church of England convent boarding school and this could be different to catholic belives....but.....Our Sisters kept thier real names for official uses. Hope this helps. Gerri x

Julie, Tom and Gerri, Many thanks for your replies. Although Lunar's reply made sense, I couldn't see why nun's etc would be different from everyone else. It is the law after all. I think I'll have another bash at tracing her death under her birth name. Many Thanks, Christine. P.S. Glad you liked the name Gerri. As I am in the U.S., I am only on the site when most of you are tucked up in bed.