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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: LadyJayne on Wednesday 12 July 23 16:27 BST (UK)

Title: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: LadyJayne on Wednesday 12 July 23 16:27 BST (UK)
Looking for another opinion on this death certificate, I think it reads Broken Constitution? but not sure.  :) Many thanks
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: Davedrave on Wednesday 12 July 23 16:57 BST (UK)
I agree with you. Rather uninformative, a bit like the “internal decay of nature” in a record I have ::)

Dave :)
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: Ray T on Wednesday 12 July 23 17:21 BST (UK)
Rather like the queen dying of “old age”?
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: LadyJayne on Wednesday 12 July 23 20:19 BST (UK)
Thanks for the second opinion, slightly better than one of my other records  which states cause of death to be general decay!  :o
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 12 July 23 22:28 BST (UK)
A sensitive explanation for a general decline in health.
Carol
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: Viktoria on Thursday 13 July 23 08:51 BST (UK)
The strange long strokes were confusing but now I see them as two ticks,exclude those and yes clear and simple Broken Constitution .
Viktoria.
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: LadyJayne on Sunday 16 July 23 12:56 BST (UK)
Quote from: Viktoria on Thursday 13 July 23 08:51 BST (UK)
The strange long strokes were confusing but now I see them as two ticks,exclude those and yes clear and simple Broken Constitution .
Viktoria.

Yes, I was somewhat confused by the two ticks. Nice to have it confirmed beyond doubt.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: BushInn1746 on Sunday 16 July 23 15:56 BST (UK)
In this case, possibly a 2nd person agreed with the cause first given? Or a double check by the writer, copying from the Coroner's, the Registrar, Police or Doctor's Certificate. I presume no marginal note with two ticks (a Key).

Mark
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: LadyJayne on Sunday 16 July 23 18:11 BST (UK)
As far as I can tell I can't see anything else that could be written in the marginal note as it's not visible. :)
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: BushInn1746 on Sunday 16 July 23 20:07 BST (UK)
June 1837 London newspaper extracts of an Inquest for John Blyth, aged 51 at the House of Correction, Coldbath fields.

 ... "the deceased, whose connections are of the highest respectability, had a few years ago been a merchant of great affluence and respectability." ...

The Inquest discusses his misfortunes and said friends tried to help.

The Surgeon said he ... "was received into the convalescent ward, and on the 2d instant he was removed into the infirmary; ... a worn-out and broken constitution," ...

The Jury returned a verdict of natural death.

Mark
Title: Re: Cause of Death on a 1837 certificate
Post by: LadyJayne on Tuesday 18 July 23 18:24 BST (UK)
I appreciate the time and trouble you've put into this on my behalf Mark, thank you for confirming  this as I'd never heard of anyone dying of a broken constitution before.