Death certificates are a valuable resource for genealogical research, offering a wealth of personal information that can be pivotal in tracing family histories. However, it’s important to note that the information on death certificates is often provided by an informant, and may not always be accurate.
Here’s a summary of the key information they typically provide:
Names: deceased, spouse, parents, physician, undertaker/funeral home director, clerk/registrar
Locations: Residence, death, birth
Other Details: primary and secondary reasons for death and sometimes doctor’s notes. The death codes are valuable and found on this site, International Classification of Diseases. Note that the codes changed over time as did the medical terms.
This detailed information can help fill gaps in family trees, confirm family relationships, and provide context about the deceased’s life and death. The accuracy and completeness of death certificates can vary, but they are nonetheless a cornerstone document in genealogical research.
Locating Death Certificates in Virginia
According to the Virginia Department of Health: “Birth records become public information 100 years after the date of the event. Death, marriage, and divorce records become public information 25 years after the event.”
The Library of Virginia provides information on how to obtain death certificates. The Ancestry.com site requires a subscription but Family Search is free after creating an account.
Examples of Virginia Death Certificates from two periods of time.
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