Dod

[SGilbert]

Opinion time.

My grandson was stillborn on 10/29 @ 1AM. (at less than 3 weeks to full term; if that matters) They knew on 10/28, and induced labor. He could have passed away 10/27 or 10/28.

How would you record dod? 27-28-29th, assuming, as I do, that life begins at conception?

[kmgenealogy]

Re: Dod

Opinion time.

My grandson was stillborn on 10/29 @ 1AM. (at less than 3 weeks to full term; if that matters) They knew on 10/28, and induced labor. He could have passed away 10/27 or 10/28.

How would you record dod? 27-28-29th, assuming, as I do, that life begins at conception?

So sorry for your loss.
Death certificates for stillborns that I've seen have the dod as of the date the child was "born", i.e. taken out of the womb. That's what I use.

[Bob White]

Re: Dod

I don't record stillborns. Putting aside all of the philosophical ideas and beliefs that most of us have relative to the beginning of life, I feel that genealogy is the record of people who lived and breathed outside of their mother's body. Stillborns fall outside of that definition.

Another reason that I don't record them is that most women who have had stillborns are very sensitive and quite frankly do not want the information shared with lots of cousins.

[Dennis J. Cunniff]

Re: Dod

... I feel that genealogy is the record of people who lived and breathed outside of their mother's body. Stillborns fall outside of that definition.

Another reason that I don't record them is that most women who have had stillborns are very sensitive and quite frankly do not want the information shared with lots of cousins.

While I certainly agree with your concerns, there are advantages to recording stillbirths and miscarriages, as they provide information about intervals in which other children of that mother could not have been born, and can help assure that you haven't missed other children (for, example, a couple who has had children roughly every two years, but one gap isn't filled in.) This is probably more of a historical issue, where records aren't complete. Just because you record something doesn't mean it has to be shared, of course!

[SGilbert]

Re: Dod

Bob, This baby was loved!

He was delivered, held, kissed, had a public obituary, cremated, and had a memorial in his honor with 100's attending. This is how the mother & father wanted it.

Whether or not I/we agree with the handling of any aspect of the death, it happened and needs to be recorded and preserved for future generations. He has a name and a place in the hearts of many.

[Bob White]

Re: Dod

Bob, This baby was loved! ..... He was delivered, held, kissed, had a public obituary, cremated, and had a memorial in his honor with 100's attending. This is how the mother & father wanted it.....

IMHO, this is a rare exception and even I would probably record this little person.

[rclrocco]

Re: Dod

Firstly my sympathies at your loss - it can't be easy talking about that on a Forum full of strangers.

I think I would record as, born and and died 29th October , and add whatever note you wish to in the detail or memo section etc. Is there an official Death Certificate? What date went on that? As that might influence how you record it.

[SGilbert]

Re: Dod

Yes, there was a death certificate. Dates are both the same.
I have entered birth & death as the same.

FWIE, cause of death stated 'undetermined' at issuance. Just yesterday, was the autopsy released, but other than fetal hemorrhaging, no cause was found. Sad.

Thanks to all who expressed sympathy. Daughter-in law & son are already planning to have another child.