Funeral cards are an overlooked free genealogical resource. They often contain Birth and Death years and are a substitute for birth and death records (Vital Records). Now they are not a true substitute for vital records but it's a good place to start! To find out what are true Vital Records see Genealogy Without Sources is Mythology
Unfortunately these death records are scattered and there has not been a repository for funeral cards until now. I'm trying to create the best funeral card database on the net. If you have death records such as funeral cards, please give them a home by submitting them to Ancestors At Rest.
Funeral Card for Thomas Summers 1856 - 1890
Thomas Summers, husband of Elizabeth Summers, died 23 March 1890 "The result of an accident in Pegswood Colliery at age 34 and was Interred at Bothal.
Brian's Research: Pegswood Colliery was a mine in Durham & Northumberland England. Bothal appears to be in Northumberland
I think this might be Thomas in the 1881 census as an unmarried coal miner
Name Relation Marital Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation Disability
Thomas SUMMERS Head M Male 71 Coaleglingham, Northumberland, England Superannuated Coal Miner (No Occ)
Mary SUMMERS Wife M Female 62 Long Framlington, Northumberland, England
Thomas SUMMERS Son U Male 25 Cowpen, Northumberland, England Coal Miner
George SUMMERS Son U Male 22 Cowpen, Northumberland, England Coal Miner
Robert SUMMERS Grand Son U Male 15 Bedlington, Northumberland, England Coal Miner
William SUMMERS Grand Son Male 11 Bedlington, Northumberland, England Scholar
John J. SUMMERS Grand Son Male 9 Bedlington, Northumberland, England Scholar
Source Information:
Dwelling 256 Cloughs Buildings
Census Place Weetslade, Northumberland, England
Family History Library Film 1342229
Public Records Office Reference RG11
Piece / Folio 5087 / 62
Page Number 59
Where Can I Find More Funeral Cards?
Try
Genealogy Today Lots of unique one of a kind genealogy databases.
Or try a Trial Access on Ancestry.com
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Online Searchable Death Indexes
Birth, Marriage & Death Certificates!
Other Online Searchable Records
We're all anxious to find our ancestors - and find them fast! These records may help you find a brick-wall ancestor easily and from the comfort of your computer chair.
Try a Trial Access on Ancestry.com
Ancestry has more genealogy records than any site on the net and they often have free trials and special promotions.
Genealogy Today Lots of unique one of a kind genealogy databases
Share Your Death Records
If you have a transcription or a photo of death records (cemetery listings, funeral cards, death cards, coffin plates, church records etc) help build this database by submitting your death records ***You must delete the word REMOVE in my email address before sending to me or it won't work. So the real address is ancestorsatrest followed by the @ then the last bit netscape.net Sorry but spammers make this roundabout method of emailing necessary!***
This Death Records Database is an ongoing project and I have many more funeral cards to add so check back often.
Find your ancestors in death records. Search free databases such as coffin plates, death cards, funeral cards, wills, church records, family bibles, cenotaphs and tombstone inscriptions on AncestorsAtRest.com Find links to other great death records like cemeteries, vital stats, and obituaries. Learn where to find death records off the net.
