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From: "Pam Hillier" <>
Subject: Re: [SRY] Stillbirths
Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 07:15:49 +0930
References: <07D9D031D9C64A8EA21DA8558DB87638@becka>


Margaret I think it's worth a mention that a still birth is considered to be
"having never drawn a breath", and prior to 1927 not only were stillbirths
not registered, they were not baptised and not buried in a formal way. They
were sometimes allotted a corner of the cemetery for stillbirths and
vagrants/unknown persons who'd died. This relied on a kindly vicar of
course. I have heard also that sometimes a still born child would be buried
in the same grave as any person being buried that day (perfect strangers)
and no records are kept of such. Again I assume like with all thing
genealogy, there's a possibility of the occasional person noting the death
but a rarity. This and miscarriages can cause large gaps between children.
Sad times.
Cheers Pam from Adelaide Australia



> This is a general question re the registration of stillbirths. I do not
> have a clue about this subject.
>
> Was a stillbirth registered back in 1920's? If so, where do I look for
> more information? What do I need to know before I can make enquiries?
>
> Thanks for any help offered.
>
> Margaret Rose 6044

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