Finding out cause of death

[iolaus]

Is there any way of discovering a cause of death for someone who died in 1824?

I believe that 11 days after my 5* great grandmother was buried her infant son was also buried (the believe is because there is an infant buried 11 days after she was born, with a name that would fit into the family, but he isn't baptised so can't confirm he is HER son, - up till this point they had had a child every 2-3 years since the marriage, this birth/death is 2.5 years after her last baby was born)

It seemed likely to me that she died in childbirth - as a midwife this is naturally interesting to me and was wondering if anyone has any idea as to where I could find a record of the reason for her death - or proof that the baby is hers (they are entry registers one after the other but it's a little village so that doesn't mean anything)

[groom]

As far as I'm aware, the only records of death before 1837 were burials from the parish registers, so unless the vicar was one who kept really good records ie added more than he was required to, there probably isn't any hope of finding cause of death.

Is there a grave with a headstone, that might prove whether or not the child was hers? Strange there was no baptism, usually one was done quickly if a child was expected to die.

[Mowsehowse]

Given the entries follow each other I am surprised there is no comment of whose infant son he was.

[iolaus]

You'd have thought they'd have been a little more forthcoming - I will see if anyone local could do a look up for me and will have to try and make a trip that way to look at gravestones

[avm228]

Was the infant's age stated?

There may be church records of who was buried in which grave so that you could see whether they were buried together.

[iolaus]

No mention of age just 'infant'

[Mowsehowse]

There may be church records of who was buried in which grave so that you could see whether they were buried together. 

Definitely a VERY good point.
Well worth contacting the church in question to enquire if they have records.

[iolaus]

Asked on the somerset look up - saying I suspected James was the son of Ann and Shadrack Weston

Someone immediately replied with the grave inscription of grave 59

Ann, Wife of Shadrack Weston
3 January 1824

James Weston
17 January 1824
'their son aged 1 month'

They were buried together which I suspected, although it does imply James is a little older than  the fortnight I suspected

[Mowsehowse]

Terrific.
This site is SO brilliant.