MERRITT

[kathydoyle]

Hi,I'm researching the story behind an ancester of mine who died in the workhouse in Bolton Lancs at the age of only 33 in 1887 I've been able to put quite a bit of flesh on the bare bones of the story, but I've been unable to decipher the cause of death on her death certificate and I wondered if anyone on here might be able to help. She had worked in the cotton mills and I wondered whether it might be some kind of lung disease? It looks like "Kilhisis" or "Ilithisis" I will try to upload a copy of the cert for perusal. Many thanks, and great site by the way, loads of information and useful pointers. Kathy doyle

[Geoffers]

It looks like "Kilhisis" or "Ilithisis"

Could it be Phthisis? This was applied to different wasting diseases but is most generally connected to Consumption (Tuberculosis)

[MajorTom]

Hi, could the writing be phthisis? I have this on a death certificate of an ancestor of mine (only 26) and after much deciphering and Googling I'm pretty sure mine says phthisis. It means wasting, usually due to consumption (TB). How I wish they could have had access to antibiotics.

[MajorTom]

Ah beaten to it while I was checking out my cert and single finger typing!

[Bo Peep]

Hi,I'm researching the story behind an ancester of mine who died in the workhouse in Bolton Lancs at the age of only 33 in 1887 I've been able to put quite a bit of flesh on the bare bones of the story, but I've been unable to decipher the cause of death on her death certificate and I wondered if anyone on here might be able to help. She had worked in the cotton mills and I wondered whether it might be some kind of lung disease? It looks like "Kilhisis" or "Ilithisis" I will try to upload a copy of the cert for perusal. Many thanks, and great site by the way, loads of information and useful pointers. Kathy doyle

|wave|Hello Kathy and welcome to Brit-Gen. I hope you will enjoy being part of our community and get some help with your research.

[kathydoyle]

Hi, could the writing be phthisis? I have this on a death certificate of an ancestor of mine (only 26) and after much deciphering and Googling I'm pretty sure mine says phthisis. It means wasting, usually due to consumption (TB). How I wish they could have had access to antibiotics.

Thanks very much to all respondents - yes I think pthisis is what it says, it is indeed very sad, but I'm glad to have found out what happened to my ancester, it really brings it all to life to know these things, and how people lived. She worked in the cotton mills and i fear tuberculosis and other lung diseases were common. Many thanks kathy doyle