Genealogists with roots in Sweden will soon have a new and long-awaited opportunity: To find out what a relative actually died of. According to the Swedish genealogy portal Rötter, an expansion of the Sveriges Dödbok database is now underway to include registered causes of death.
The work is carried out by the Swedish Genealogical Society, which over time has built up and maintained the Swedish Book of the Dead - a widely used source for Swedish genealogy. Causes of death are now registered for the period 1917-1920. This can give genealogists a more complete picture of their ancestors' living conditions, illnesses and historical events that affected their families.
Causes of death can provide important context. Was it the Spanish flu, tuberculosis, accidents or more everyday illnesses that took lives? Such information can both confirm family stories and provide new insights into living conditions and health issues in the communities where the family lived. This can add a more personal and human dimension to genealogical research, beyond dates, places and relationships.
The extension is initially for a limited period, but the project may eventually pave the way for more registrations. If the work is continued, more and more genealogists can gain access to details that have previously only been available through manual review of church books and death certificates.
Read the news story on the website of Sveriges Släktforskarförbund
