Death Certificates.....

Scozzie · Post by **Scozzie** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:36 pm

I've already posted this, but in the wrong place!! [other posting now deleted - AndrewP]
My father died some years ago. He had not been in contact with any of his children (five of us!) for years. His choice. I eventually got a copy of his death certificate, and found most of the details on it were incorrect, including the names and birthdates of his children. What hope for future generations of researchers? No wonder we have problems finding ancestors!

Post by **AndrewP** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:59 pm

Hi Scozzie,

As the deceased is not available to give the correct information for his/her own death certificate, then the information is only as good as the informant gives on the day. If the informant is a distant relation, or no relation at all, then the information on the death certificate can be inaccurate, or even "not known".

Even when the information is given by a close relative, they can easily make a mistake as they have many other things to think about at that time.

All thebest,

Andrew Paterson

Scozzie · Post by **Scozzie** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:29 pm

Yes Andrew, I know that. The really frustrating part is that I told the Registrar of BMD that the information was wrong, and they did not want to change it! They couldn't/wouldn't tell me who had provided the information - it was not me or any of my brothers. My father had no other relatives in Australia.

WilmaM · Post by **WilmaM** » Thu Jul 28, 2005 2:26 pm

Scozzie wrote: They couldn't/wouldn't tell me who had provided the information - it was not me or any of my brothers. .

Does it not have the informant's name and relationship on the certificate ?

In Scotland that is on the certificate not just in the official records.

Post by **marilyn morning** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 12:52 am

Hi Scozzie

Did you happen to ask the Registrar, if an Amendment could be attached to your father's DC making reference to the inconsistency on the death certificate?

Regards
Marilyn

Scozzie · Post by **Scozzie** » Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:04 am

This happened a few years ago while I was living in Europe (maybe 1997). I needed the certificate to send to the British Ministry of Defense to get my father's army service records. If I kept a copy I lost it, or it's filed away somewhere "safe". I didn't contact the BDM Registrar again in Australia about the wrong information on the certificate.