Are Vital Records Hiding at Your House?

Today while sorting a random pile of papers in my "junk" room I came across this--the death certificate of my uncle, Joseph Candland Olsen!

Death Certificate
of Joseph Candland Olsen

Now the fact that I had a copy didn't surprise me.  I was given literally boxes (about 30+) of paper following the death of my grandmother, Bessie Ardell Candland Olsen.  Over the years I have downsized the boxes, discarding what seemed pointless to keep--old appliance warrranties, random cards and letters from friends and acquaintances.  I have kept the photos (many of which I am still unable to identify the individuals in the photo), personal documents, scrapbooks, obituaries, etc.

What did surprise me was this document was in a random collection of misc. papers stuffed in an envelope and in a box of unrelated papers!  I decided upon finding it that I needed to scan it and document the information it contains into my genealogy database immediately!

I love death records because they contain so much information!  For example:  the cause of death (septic shock from gastric carcinoma and end stage renal disease), place and date of burial, name, birth date and place, parents names, last known address, place of death, usual occupation, social security number, date and time of death, and informant information.  Usually the informant is a relative and that gives a genealogist a clue to other family members!

Things I learned:  I didn't know where or why my uncle died.  He is listed as a widower--don't know who his last wife was or when she died!  Most of all I learned the importance of handling a document only once!  When you come across a vital piece of information, source it and file it safely!  How lucky I feel to have noticed this before I discarded what I thought were meaningless papers!