Tracing Your Ancestors Through Death Records

A Guide for Family Historians

Celia Heritage

• Publisher: Pen & Sword
• eBook ISBN:
  9781783376469
• Year: 2013

Family historian Celia Heritage shares an unorthodox approach to researching genealogy in Tracing Your Ancestors Through Death Records.
Of all family history sources, death records are probably the least used by researchers. They are, however, frequently the most revealing of records, giving a far greater insight into our ancestors' lives and personalities than those records created during their lifetime.
Celia Heritage leads readers through the various types of death records, showing how they can be found, read and interpreted and how to glean as much information as possible from them. In many cases, they can be used as a starting point for developing your family history research into other equally rewarding areas. This highly readable handbook is packed with useful information and helpful research advice. In addition, a thought-provoking final chapter looks into the repercussions of death its effects on the surviving members of the family and the fact that a premature death could sometimes affect the family for generations to come.
"There comes a time when you reach a dead end using the online services . . . at which point you need expert advice on how to proceed. Celia Heritage provides that expert advice, going above and beyond in helping you through the details of finding and examining your ancestors' death records. A vital resource for family historians." — Books Monthly

Table of contents

• Cover
• Family History from Pen & Sword
• Title Page
• Copyright
• Contents
• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction and Tips for Research
• Quick Reference: Abbreviations/websites
• Chapter 1 Death Certificates
• Chapter 2 Burial Records
• Chapter 3 Gravestones and Monumental Inscriptions
• Chapter 4 Inquest Records
• Chapter 5 Newspapers and Magazines as a Source for Death Records
• Chapter 6 Wills and Other Probate Documents
• Chapter 7 Miscellany
• Chapter 8 Repercussions of Death and Reading between the Lines
• Notes
• Appendix: Useful Addresses
• Bibliography
• Index