Lost 5 babies all younger than 1yr

[Alexander.]

Yes it's St Stephen Colman Street: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Stephen_Coleman_Street

Yesterday because of new parish records released online, I found that one of my ancestors had five additional children who died in infancy that I didn't know about (since they died between censuses). Now at least they are not completely forgotten.

Alexander

[kellysmith1976]

Im like that too... If i find the birth & sad death of a baby or child, i always think that at least someone knows that they did exist!..

What new records are you talking about genes?..

Thanks i will look through the link!

[Nick29]

Of course, that's the tragedy about genealogy, there's lots of these young souls which we don't find, because we're simply not looking for them.   My grandmother was one of 10 children (or that's what I thought), and it was only when a lost family Bible was found that it became apparent that she also had twin brothers that were her mother's first-born that my grandmother probably never knew about.  It was only after comparing the contents of the Bible notes with the death records for the parish that these poor little mites were found.  Whenever I look at the birth dates of children in a family and there are large gaps, I often think of the children who probably either didn't make it to full term, or who only lived a short time 

[pinefamily]

The sad and unfortunate high infant mortality rate was always there throughout history, due to many factors, some of which have been listed on this thread.
There were several spikes through the ages, and it is sad but interesting background reading. The great plague of the 17th century and several epidemics of cholera and typhoid fever in the 19th century spring to mind. If you find a sudden increase of infant deaths, it is often a worthwhile exercise to check if there were any increases of disease.
The other thing to remember is with the growth of towns and cities there wasn't necessarily the same rate of improvements in sanitation or health; London being one of the worst.
Obviously it helps if the minister or clerk is kind enough to put extra details in the register, such as cause of death.

[seank]

Apparently, if 2 or 3 children die in succession at a young age it can be a sign of syphillis infection (from the parents). However, in the middle of a festering city there are many other things that can take a child so I doubt syphillis was a major contributor in your instance. My own great-great grandparents lived in relative rural bliss but lost 3 of their children in succession, which raises my suspicions of the cause!

The church of St Andrew's Undershaft is probably the only original building left in that part of London. It is immediately adjacent to the iconic "Gherkin" tower in the financial heart of the modern city.

[Nick29]

Some women were just prone to miscarriage.   My cousins were born 11 years apart, and from what I've been told, their mother lost many children between the two births. 

[pinefamily]

It would be an interesting exercise to see if there were more infant and child deaths in the bigger towns and cities than in the smaller villages and countryside. My money's on the towns and cities to have more, given the sanitation and health standards.

[Nick29]

I think a lot depended on the water supplies, and whether they got contaminated or not.  In Soho, London, the original well pump which caused part of the cholera outbreak is still there (disabled now, of course).  Hundreds of people walk past it every day, not realising its significance.