I believe "certified " just means that a doctor had attended. My ggetc Timothy JOHNSON died in 1849 of "consumption, certified" and list replies I have had indicates that this means that a doctor certified his death... not a common procedure in those days. And my own query, what would "senile decay" mean? My ggetc Samuel WEBBER died in 1875 at a reported age of 84 (he was probably actually 80) of "senile decay" Now this is obviously old age BUT does it also imply alzheimers disease? Regards Jane -----Original Message----- From: Judy Goodall [mailto:judygood1@hotmail.com] Sent: Thursday, 22 December 2005 2:31 p.m. To: HAMPSHIRE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [Ham] Death Certificate I have just received a death certificate for my ggggrandmother Margaret Goodall and cause of death is given as: general decay 21 years certified. Does anyone know what that would mean please. Judy in sunny Perth ==== HAMPSHIRE Mailing List ==== Visit the knightroots website at www.knightroots.co.uk -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.7/180 - Release Date: 23/11/2005 -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.13.7/180 - Release Date: 23/11/2005