Age of informant on death certificate in 1888

[MJW]

I'm trying to work out who the informant was for the death of my greatx2 grandmother Catherine Barrett in January 1888.  The informant was shown as "Patrick Barrett, grandson, present at death".  I have researched this family extensively and I can only find one possible candidate, but he was born in October 1876, so he would only have been 11 years old.

I can't find any information about whether informants have to be a certain age, so is it possible that an 11 year was the informant?  This was in Ireland if that makes any difference.

Thanks for any thoughts.  Malcolm

[california dreamin]

Hi Malcolm

I'm really interested in any reply to your query. I've found a possible d/c for a 2x ggrandmother in 1877. However, if it's the correct one my informant (my ggrandmother) would only be 8. Mine also was in Ireland.

CD

[JenB]

See https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=874386.msg7460892 in particular reply #7 which I think answers your question.

[Kiltaglassan]

See also this thread-

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=880424.msg7528449#msg7528449

Is this your death record?
https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/files/civil/deaths_returns/deaths_1888/06186/4768752.pdf

[california dreamin]

Thanks for both of your replies. Very interesting.

Kiltaglassan:  Not mine but maybe the original posters?

CD

[Kiltaglassan]

CD,

Can you attach the death record for your gt gt grandmother in 1877?

We can look at it and advise 

[california dreamin]

Thanks but not necessary. There is nothing there to suggest her age. The item is still speculative.

It has been and remains a complicated search.

CD

[MJW]

Thanks everyone for your interest and useful information.

Kiltaglassan - yes, that is my GG grandmothers' death record.

So, 11 year old Patrick was likely to have been the informant.  He didn't sign his name, just his mark - I wonder if he could read and check what was written!!

[Jon_ni]

I wonder if he could read and check what was written!!

Many adult informants made their mark on their children's briths and parent's deaths and could neither read nor write according to their 1901 & 1911 Irish census (often someone else filled the census in and indicated the head could read, despite them marking X on everything, vanity perhaps). Whether they could read does not affect their ability to provide the info and bear witness in the future if required. Same goes for marriage witnesses, in law there is no age limit stated even today. Some Councils state 16 for their Registry Office ceremonies.
You can register a birth or death today even if cannot "speak or understand English" you are required to bring a friend or interpretor to assist. Or if blind or deaf.
https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/births/ Birmingham etc.