I received the North Dakota Death Certificate for my g-g-grandmother, Anna Foster Berry Welch.  Her son, Charles Olonzo Welch, and my great-grandmother, Margaret J. Wilder, were the parents of my maternal grandfather, Francis “Frank” Xavier Welch.  His name was later changed to Wilder when his maternal grandfather adopted him.

This Death Certificate has provided information which has opened up the Berry line.  I previously had no knowledge of Anna’s father’s name, nor her mother’s first or maiden name.  Though, there are some spelling issues on the certificate, it was a breakthrough.  Anna’s mother’s name was Hannah Wing, not “Weng” as is indicated on the form.  Her father’s name was Judah Berry – again, spelling variants on both the first and last names.

Something to remember when using Death Certificates as proof documents – often the form is filed by a bereaved husband or adult child.  Memory fades or is tested under these circumstances.  So, spellings, birth place, birth dates, etc., may not be correct and should be used with suspicion until confirmed by other proofs.  Here, Anna’s parents are both said to have been born in New York.  Actually, multiple Census records from the 19th Century, using first-hand information from the parents themselves, indicate they were both born in Massachusetts, not New York.  It does show that Anna herself was born in New York City, which is probably the case.  Earlier Census records show “New York,” and the family lived in New York City and Brooklyn over the years.

Principal cause of death is noted as  “”Arterio Sclerosis” and “Acute Bronchitis Capillary.”

Take a look at the form attached here.