I wrote about the death certificates of my grandmothers and great-grandmothers. Now it’s time for the men. This is part of my project of cross-cutting through my genealogy research to look at things from a different angle to find out what I am missing. Once again, I discovered I had very few death certificates and had to order some!
The grandfather I knew and loved was my mother’s father. He owned a gas station most of his working life. He was passionate about his vegetable garden and loved math and accounting. Most importantly, I learned most of my family stories from him, was given most of the antique family photos from him, and inherited his great long-term memory. He’s the grandparent (whose branch) I physically resemble the most, as well. The trait that I share with him that is very unusual is that we have/had amazing early childhood memories. He remembered so much about his eye injury and the afterwards, although it happened when he was three. I have two memories that go back to before age two, as well as a vivid slightly longish memory that happened when I was 2 3/4. Those are for sure, but there are others that I believe were very very early. My memories from before I was four (say 3 1/2 and 3 3/4) are quite complex.
I’ve actually written a lot about Grandpa on this blog, including sharing a series of posts based on an interview of my grandfather by a social worker (including the above link about my grandfather’s eye injury). He was born in Kalamazoo 31 October 1908. He died 13 April 2000, also in Kalamazoo.
Notice that his death certificate states the cause of death as cirrhosis. But, whoa. He never drank alcohol, so why does it say this? He had a rare hereditary disease, it turned out, that causes a form of cirrhosis. I believe it is called Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (family: correct me if I’m wrong, please). Luckily, although he didn’t know about the disease, he lived a very healthy lifestyle and lived to be 91.5 years old!
I never knew my other grandfather, but I do have his death certificate. He lived to be 90 (we’re on a roll here!) and died of arteriosclerotic heart disease. I am not posting his death certificate, although I do have it.
Then, of my four great-grandfathers, I have the death certificates of three. The one I don’t have is my paternal grandfather’s father because I don’t even know if he immigrated from Alsace to the United States or not–and have not found a death record of any kind as of yet. (I have confidence that eventually I will find it).
Adrian’s father, also called Adrian, died at age 58 in Kalamazoo on 19 December 1929 of “uremia, Chr. Inst. Nephritis.” Chronic Interstitial, I would guess. He was born in Goes, Zeeland, Netherlands on 3 January 1871. My grandparents used to tell me he died of kidney disease (yes), and that they believed it was exacerbated by the way he ate. He used to starve himself during the day (while at his store working) and then come home and eat a dinner plate-sized steak. Who knows if that is what really caused his kidney disease.
Next up is Charles Mulder. This is the man I knew and loved as my Great-Grandpa. He died at age 82 of a “Cerebral Vascular Accident” or Stroke on 27 April 1967. He was born 6 March 1885 in Goes, Zeeland, Netherlands.
Then I can thank Ann Donnelly from Found Cousins Genealogy Service for noticing my frustration in a Facebook group and helping me out with my great-grandfather Frank Klein’s death certificate. I was having the hardest time because his record was on Family Search, but I couldn’t figure out how to get to the actual document that way. I even visited the local Family History Center, and the assistant director told me I would have to order it by mail (and a fee). But Ann found it online using her amazing talents and sent it to me.
Frank is another one who died of Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease. With those two and a stroke, that’s 3 out of 5 died of heart disease, I guess. Frank passed away on 30 August 1944 in the nursing home where he was living. He was born Franz Klein in Budesheim, Landkreis Mainz-Bingen, Germany on 31 July 1861. The death certificate reads Bingen because Budesheim was a village so close to Bingen that the family used to just say “Bingen.”
I am working on the 2x and 3x greats, but I think the Budesheim ancestors are going to be tough, just as they are with the women. The records do not seem to be available online at this point.
Great post! I never knew either one of my grandfathers in person. Thank goodness for family stories, death certificates and other records to give me a small peek into their lives.
Thank you! I was so surprised to see that I knew as much as I did WITHOUT most of the death certificates, but of course they can confirm or deny certain things. And sometimes cause confusion ;). But in general they are a blessing!
I really like your idea of going back and cleaning up, looking for missed records. From your past mention I started doing the same thing. Waiting on 4 records and anxious to see what they will reveal. Enjoyed the post Luanne. Thanks for the great idea. Sharon
You’re welcome haha! I was so surprised to see all I was missing. I had arrived at the info in other ways, but hadn’t confirmed with the certificates!
I often go back and recheck too. It’s amazing what we find when we perform additional sweeps. congrats on your new discoveries.
That’s a good way to think of it: “additional sweeps.” Yes, I need to keep doing it. Thanks, Ann Marie!
Doesn’t Zuidweg mean Southway? Does that have any bearing on family history?
Yes, ma’am. It sure does. It’s been suggested that the name originally came from people who came to the Netherlands at the time of the Inquisition, but I think it’s more likely that a Zuidweg originally came from a southern province. And apparently while there aren’t many in this country that aren’t related in some distant form to me, there are a lot in Holland itself.
Nephritis can be cause by too little potassium or too much calcium in your diet. It can also be cause by chronic dehydration. It is entirely possible that your grandfather’s eating habits could have been a factor. If he was alone in the store he may not have been able to eat or drink while he was there since he wouldn’t have been able to leave. Holding your urine can cause it to back up and that also causes problems.
(I had to spend a week in the hospital when I became seriously dehydrated on a road trip. I don’t like to drink sodas and was too cheap to pay $1 for a bottle of tap water! And I, of all people should know better than that. Some people aren’t too bright!)
Oh, that sounds like a very serious stay–a week! I’m glad you recovered ok (at least it sounds like you did).
It is possible that he was alone too often in the store. And I’m sure he liked coming home and relaxing with his meal.
Thanks for the helpful info!
I love that we both have some roots in the Bingen area. And I also am amazed that you knew a great-grandparent. I only knew three of my four grandparents, and of those three, one died before I was five (Isadore), one before I was ten, and the last (Gussie) when I was 23. As for causes of death, I have found that many people died back then of either some heart related ailment or kidney disease. I think those things killed people before they could get the various cancers that we find so common as a cause of death these days.
Nice that you seem to have such longevity in the family. As well as that amazing memory!!
Finally, can you share how Ann found the actual document that even the FHL wasn’t able to produce? (My one trip to an FHL (an hour away) was a total waste of time.)
Amy, I’ve asked Ann if I can share a pdf she gave me about the search. The pdf is geared toward New York records rather than Chicago, but apparently that method worked for her. I have to say I just don’t understand it all. I wish my research skills matched my childhood memory haha. That is a shame that you didn’t have more time with your grandparents. I didn’t even realize how lucky I was at the time.
Isn’t that something about Bingen?!
Well, NYC is better for me that Chicago! I know Ann from the NYC genealogy group. I will take a look at this. Thank you!
Oh, great!
Amy, here is the link from Ann. https://www.facebook.com/FoundCousinsGenealogyService/photos/a.743177959223057.1073741828.291575407716650/885999811607537/?type=3&permPage=1
Thank you! I think many of these are now indexed so you don’t need to do all the extra work, but these tips are good to know.
She is the only person of all I asked who seemed to know exactly what to do!!!
Great post, Luanne. I am usually good at finding records online on FamilySearch and tried to access Frank’s. I went through the back door (catalog) instead of searching for the indexed record. The collection which would include his record shows as only being on microfilm. I then tried an index search and found the entry with the FHL film number – same as the one I found using the catalog. Always read the fine print! IMPORTANT: You may directly access individuals you are looking for using the internet. However, the site is timing out on me. I tried other browsers and checked if it is down for everyone (no). It could be Europe is blocked from using the site. If this isn’t how Ann did it, I’d like to know the secret. 🙂
Cathy, I’ve asked Ann if I can share a pdf she gave me. It might explain although I admit that it seems beyond my research abilities. Also, there is a thread on Facebook where she explains. It’s on the Chicago Genealogy group site. If you are on Facebook you could join that group and I can send you the link for the exact thread. It was funny how people on the thread told me to try a FHC and I did and they didn’t have a clue. But Ann so easily got the document for me! I will let you know about the pdf.
Cathy, here is Ann’s link on her Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/FoundCousinsGenealogyService/photos/a.743177959223057.1073741828.291575407716650/885999811607537/?type=3&permPage=1 See if that helps.
Thank you for the link to the pdf. This is the same way I search for images when an index search shows no image available.
I still cannot access the Illinois site mentioned in the catalog on FamilySearch for Illinois deaths which are showing as only on microfilm.
Another FS search found the record with the image icon (which went to the Cook County pay site). From this search result, I got the film # for the Cook County collection and looked it up in the catalog. There are images but only viewable at a FamilySearch center or affiliate library.
I was hoping to learn something new for finding records on FamilySearch but this has me stumped but an interesting exercise, Luanne.
This is a such a great project Luanne. Your grandmother research inspired me to do mine, and I was thinking the other day it’s about time I tackled the grandfathers.
Woot! I love that the posts inspired you, Su! Isn’t it amazing how we find cool stuff about them and then miss something as basic as a death certificate?!
That’s so true. I’ve started working on my grandfathers’ death records. I have more than I expected and am finding they certainly didn’t have the long life expectancy of my grandmothers!
Oh no! Illnesses or accidents?
Mostly illness; though one death certificate records that the chap fell down a well. I am itching to look for newspaper and coroner’s court records of that!!! Hopefully I’ll find time this week.
Oh no! That is an awfully sudden way to die!
Isn’t it. He was relatively young, and I so want to find out more.
You do have to be either at a Family History Center or at an affiliate library. The records cannot be accessed from home. That restriction comes from the original record holder/creator.
Good to know. Thank you so much, Ann.
What Facebook group(s) do you belong to? I am looking for groups that will help me in areas I’m stuck, namely how to find death records for a great-great aunt and great-great uncle who died tragically and young (not related to each other) and also how to find records of a different great-great uncle who was institutionalized for the majority of his life.
For one thing, try to join Facebook groups of the places where your relatives lived. For instance, I joined Chicago Genealogy because my dad’s family was from there. I belong to several others, based on location, both in the U.S. and Europe. Then I also belong to Genealogy Bloggers and to Genealogy–Dating Old Photographs and Genealogy Translations because they are all useful for different reasons. Put in the word Genealogy and see what you come up with. They are all only as useful as individuals who are willing to step up with the knowledge and generosity of spirit that you need. Good luck!
That’s fascinating–Luanne–about your early memories. I think my first memory is an accident when I was 2, but the others were later. I had heard that most people’s memories really start around age 4.
Now I want to hear about the accident. Is it something that you can write about, Patti?
It is literally a flash of a memory. Falling in the back of the car. I guess it’s not much to go on.
It must be really vivid to you, though!