Genealogy Chat

I haven't seen the cert, just a file note from someone else saying all this, but I'm very tempted to order the cert just to see what it says! His poor old wife, incidently, was left short of cash all her life! Oooh, scandal! Lisa

The one legged guy who died without hurt reminded me of the Irish phrase, "He died in the best of health". My Dad always amuses me when asked what someone has died from, always replies "Lack of breath". Its a wonder no one cert has come up with that yet.

Sounds like my husband, whenever anyone asks what someone died of, he always replies "lack of oxygen to the brain". Diarrhoea for 24 days? I think I'd want to die after that! Carole

I have a female ancestor who was found dead in an alley and was believed to have been murdered but the death certificate says "heart attack brought on by extreme fear or extreme excitement" so I'm afraid I shall never know whether she died happy or sad!!!!! Chrissie

I have two - "Drowned, Fell down a well" but the best I have says simply "Old Age"

One of my ancestors died of "Softening of the Brain". Does that mean he was a bit soft in the head and is it hereditary? Another one's death certificate was more specific. He died "At about 2 o'clock in the afternoon of Monday 2nd November 1845 at Watlington Town Hall of an Appoplexy". Nothing to do with the consumption of a liquid lunch I presume?

Chincough is something they must have had up north! When I was growing up in Hull back in the dark ages if you sat on a cold doorstep or on the pavement you were always told "you'll get cincough. Never did find out what it was".

chincough was a term for whooping cough. have got a book of causes of death and old medical terms - oh and one of early occupations

My mum used to say that too - it used to worry me silly if I had sat on a cold step or wall! The other thing was, "dont make that face, itll stay like that if the wind changes". Now funnily enough I read an article a few years back in which it was said that extreme cold could damage the facial nerves and leave your face in a set expression. Some of these old wives tales do have substance, dont they. Dare say some of our poor ancestors ended up freezing cold with their faces set forever in a grimace.

Marion, LOL its cruel to laugh isnt it....LOL> Pat x

found out my gt grandad drowned in a sheep dip funnily enough hes the one everybody remembers, strange what you have to do to be remembered keith

Oh, how about "suffocated in a cart full of feathers" "drank boiling water from a kettle" "fell in ditch and refused to get out". All these I spotted on ONE page of deaths from a parish near me..... On the totally opposite side of the coin, how about the poor parish priest in Isle of Man, who doggedly recorded a page and a half of burial services, one after the other ..."Known to God..a human leg" "known to God..three human toes" etc etc, I was almost sick! This same lovely, lovely man, who was parish priest for about 29 years, never once recorded an illegitimate birth, instead, where the father's name should go, he wrote "known to God". My cynical brother said, good job he didnt write "God Knows"

Marion Haha haha!

Ive just read right through this thread and seen the bit about gravestones. My brother SWEARS he has seen these two: Told You I was Ill and on the stone of a maiden lady, Returned Unopened. Keep em coming, Im in hysterics here.

I wonder what he was doing in a cart full of feathers and Blimey, Marjorie, drinking boiling water and refusing to get out of ditches, bet strangers kept well clear of that village. Yes, like you say, the dramatic deaths are remembered in the family. I had a great great uncle who dived into the Thames and drowned tangled in weeds. Everyone in the family brings it up every time you tell them you are doing the family tree. We will all have to bear that in mind when our time is coming up. Bet the poor devil with the runs doesnt get remembered that well.

Lyla, You should be proud to have your name as creator of this thread, its been a great source of amusement, and sometimes we all need amusement. Our poor Ancestors, little did they know we would be having light relief at their expense!!! better at their expense than ours.... Just wanted to thank you Lyla and ask what would be next!!! Love Pat x

Do you know I nearly didnt post it because I thought the subject matter might upset a few people! Glad I did and very proud!

Angela, my mother in law was from Hull. She always used to say "You'll get king cough" if our kids sat on a cold step or went out without a coat. We're amazed to find it really existed as chincough! We thought it was just her own saying. Anne

Are you sure she wasnt just truncating an expletive???

One of my husbands rellies died of Cancer of the tongue.... being accellorated by falling downstairs !!! :~ G xxx