RootsChat.Com

Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Topic started by: ikas on Saturday 12 January 19 15:06 GMT (UK)

Title: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: ikas on Saturday 12 January 19 15:06 GMT (UK)

Hi

I have a death certificate for a male in 1960's, surname Taylor in Perthshire. He is single. In the informant's column the assistant registrar has signed her name (surname also Taylor)
and below her signature has entered the words "intimate friend".

Any opinions on whether the assistant registrar was the informant herself or is she signing
on behalf of the "intimate friend" who wanted to remain anonymous?

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: aghadowey on Saturday 12 January 19 15:12 GMT (UK)

I don't think an informant can be anonymous. How are you sure the informant and assistant registrar are the same person?

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: PaulineJ on Saturday 12 January 19 15:17 GMT (UK)

can you look up the death address/usual residence to see who (if anyone) lived with the deceased?

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: Rockford on Saturday 12 January 19 15:25 GMT (UK)

Hi,

I have deaths in Scotland registered by a range of people, including lodgers, 'companions' and including a 1905 death for a (several times) great aunt, who was a widow at the time of her death which was registered by (a female) 'intimate friend' living nearby.

I've taken this simply to mean a very close friend, rather than relating to any physical relationship that may be implied by modern connotations of the phrase.

Best wishes

Rockford

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: a-l on Saturday 12 January 19 16:00 GMT (UK)

As far as I know an informant on a certificate has to give a name as a legal requirement.
So it could be the assistant or somebody else with the same name.

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: ikas on Saturday 12 January 19 16:08 GMT (UK)

Thanks for all your replies.

aghadowey and al - the asst. registrar has the same forename, two middle initials and surname as the person signing in informants column. Also handwriting matches so fairly certain she signed the informant's column. Interesting to learn that an informant could not remain anonymous. Looks as though that option is ruled out so she must have been the "intimate friend."

Rockford - never occured to me that it could simply mean a close friend.

PaulineJ - His usual address is recorded but where would I find who was living at that address? Street directory?

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: majm on Saturday 12 January 19 16:18 GMT (UK)

If you look at the most popular surnames in Scotland,  TAYLOR is 13th .... Smith is 1st then  Brown,  .... Taylor at position 13.   

JM

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: ikas on Saturday 12 January 19 16:50 GMT (UK)

Yes, JM. Taylor is a very common surname especially in the area concerned. I suspect her surname matching the deceased is a coincidence. However it is certainly the asst. registrar who signed the informants column.

Title: Re: Opinions Sought on Unusual Informant Entry
Post by: a-l on Saturday 12 January 19 17:41 GMT (UK)

You can try looking up the electoral rolls for that address