This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: Forfarian Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.britisles.scotland.ans.general/5996.3.1.2/mb.ashx Message Board Post: "It's hard to believe that governmental place where died does not have the next of kin information on record." The Dundee Royal Infirmary was not a 'governmental place' in 1884. Healthcare didn't become a 'governmental thing' until 1948 - and there are still many countries where medical care is all in the private sector to this day. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dundee_Royal_Infirmary Normally 19th century hospital records are excellent, because the hospital management extracted a lot of detail from most patients, so the records include all sorts of information that you would not get from a death certificate. If there are gaps in the information in the case of George Jackson there will be a good reason for them. You can access the records of this John Jackson via the Tayside Health Board archives http://www.dundee.ac.uk/archives/a-thb.htm You will probably find that John Jackson was taken ill, or had an accident, on board whatever ship he served on, which happened to be in Dundee at the time, so they took him to the Infirmary, where he died (you haven't told us the cause of death, have you?). If he was unconscious, or too ill to be questioned, they would have had no way of knowing the names of his parents and wife, and the rest of the crew are unlikely to know all this either (do you know the maiden names of your work colleagues' mothers?). Bear in mind also that if he had died in a hospital in England, the certificate would have contained no information about the parents anyway, so if he signed on in England there would be no reason for anyone to ask him about them. But his case the case notes would include what information the Captain did have, which might include where he lived, and would certainly include the vessel he served on. This would help you to look for his record of service as a merchant seaman. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.