Genealogy Forum UK

I've found a possible marriage for one of my ancestors, and have also discovered a death which would tie in with what I've got so far.

I did a check of the birth records for the period between the time they were married and the death of the person I think it is. The last registered birth where the child's surname and mothers surname match what I have is registered in the same quarter as the woman I think my ancestor married.

If I were to order a copy of her death certificate, would it tell me if she died during childbirth?

Also, the death is registered in 1935 and my knowledge of the time is limited. Does anyone know if it was still common for women to die in labour at that time?

Part of me hopes that I haven't found a relative, as if I have my ancestor was left to look after 6 children when his wife died, with the eldest being 10 years old.

Hi Brickwalls, I think the cert would definitely give an indication if she died during childbirth. It would definitely give cause of death and it should be easy to interperet any medical terms used from the 1930's. I would say yes, it would be still be a cause of death for many women in the 1930'S although considerably fewer than 50 years earlier.

I found this graph http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/72/1/241S/F1

It looks as though the maternal mortality rate did not start to fall until about 1935! I only looked quickly through the article that goes with the graph, Rochdale seems to have have a particularly bad place to have a baby in the early 1930's

Thanks Carol and Gardener, looks like I'd be best ordering the certificate. Even though I'm not entirely sure I want to.

I might have discovered today that one of my relatives died during childbirth, and another died at just 3 years old.

That would be very sad for all the children but not that uncommon it would seem from the graph. I think you will have to satisfy your curiosity. Very interesting graph- I wonder why there seemed such a sharp increase around 1885 to 1890. The rest of it seems to be a steady reduction mostly.

I've just ordered the certificate from the GRO, so I should have it by Friday.

It is interesting to see the graph, and the sharp rise in 1885 does seem strange. Apparently though, the reason for the fall was to do with a better understanding of post-natal infections and anti-biotics. Also, the registration of cause of death wasn't mandatory until 1870,

Can this be archived now Brickwalls?
Jo

It can indeed.

Ok thankyou.
Pick your feet up while I hoover!
It can come back anytime you wish, just shout.
Jo