Child deaths

[cathyhudd]

Jane was very upset about the death of a child in her family. Sadly this is all too common. I have come across several inmates of Workhouses in my research and it always gets to me. I get very emotionally involved with the people I am researching which people who do not do this as a hobby don't understand!

[paulberyl]

Hi Cathy,

I know what you mean. I get very involved with my ancestors. My great grandfather's brother died in July 1852 aged 3 years old. A month later, in August 1852, his sister died aged 1 year old.

My great grandfather died aged 26 years old leaving his family in great poverty. His father (my great-great grandfather) ended up in the Birmingham Workhouse, where he subsequently died, his mother went to live with one of his brothers, his wife became a houskeeper and his son (my grandfather) was committed to an Industrial School. Very sad.

Paul

[zippy1]

Hi,
I too know what you mean. It's very hard not to get upset by the death of anyone in your family, let alone a child or children. My gggggrandad had twin sons in December 1834, very sadly, they were both buried on the 4th Jan 1835 (only 6 days old). It really struck a cord with me as my birthday is the 4th January, I have to admit I shed a tear in the records office when this information came to light. The same family then had a daughter in April 1842 and was sadly buried in September 1842 at only 5 months old. Being a mother myself I can't imagine what the death of your child/children would do to you.
Rachel

[RichardCrane]

Losing a child just after birth was something that nearly happened for my parents, and the child who almost died was...me! I was born with a heart condition and I couldn't breathe properly, so I had to stay in hospital for four months.

When Jane learned about Thomas Cunliffe's death, just at the age of three (during the Cotton Famine), it really brought tears to my eyes. Also, when Jane revealed to her family about the 'secret simblings', again she burst into tears, and again I felt like crying.

For me, Jane's feelings about the tragic death of Thomas Cunliffe are just like the feelings my parents felt when I nearly died.

Richard

[ksouthall]

Richard,
I agree that when young children die it is very sad. My granddad was born in 1895 and two of his siblings died in infancy. As no one in the family knew about them, I obtained both Birth and Death Certificates so that they can be included in the family tree and not be forgotten.
Both of his siblings were boys who were born prematuely. One lived for 16 hours and the other lived for 30 hours, as is mentioned on both death certificates.
Also, I hope you don't mind me being pedantic however the correct spelling is "sibling", there is no "m" in the word. Sorry to be so fussy, but I am a teacher so get carried away with correcting things.
Please feel free to let me know if I have made any spelling or grammar mistakes.
Katherine

[RichardCrane]

Thank you for reminding me that it is spelt - siblings!