A death record documents the end of a life and may suggest birth or family information. Biographical details may come from an informant with limited knowledge.
The method, step by step
- Distinguish death, notification, registration and burial. Copy each stated date; nearby dates are not interchangeable.
- Identify the informant and the stated relationship. Record reported age, birthplace and parents separately; seek an earlier source for confirmation.
- Check address, spouse and occupation against the last known record. Death in a hospital or another place does not establish residence there.
- If age is the only clue, estimate a birth period rather than an exact date. Add burial or estate records as separate cross-checks where available.
Record in your research log
- Death
- registration
- informant
- age
- named relatives
- uncertainty.
Frequently asked questions
Does age at death give an exact birth date?
No. It provides an estimate to compare with an earlier record. Age may be rounded or supplied by an uninformed person; keep a range and cite the source.
Sources & references
- FranceArchives ↗ (Resource review date : )
- General Register Office ↗ (Resource review date : )
- National Archives and Records Administration ↗ (Resource review date : )