Heritage Images database Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC260

Showing the graves and tombstones of Elizabeth Kensey, Anne Dines Halstead, James Stevenson, James Percy Stevenson, Richard Dines Halstead, and Leigh Dines Halstead at St Andrew's Church, Epsom.

The tombstone of James and Annie Jackson is partly visible in the background.

The inscriptions read:

Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth, relict of the late Thomas Kensey and mother of Anne Dines Halstead. Died 27th July 1878 aged 80 years.

The Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy morning shall be (rest obscured).

Affectionate remembrance of James Percy, infant son of the late James Stevenson, died April 187-, aged 9 months 17 days.

In affectionate remembrance of James Stevenson, son-in-law of the late L.D. Halstead who departed this life Nov 14th 1875 aged 33 years. (The rest of the text is obscured).

Sacred to the memory of Richard Dines, the second and beloved son of Leigh and Annes Dines Halstead who was killed by a fall from a horse, March 20th 1871 aged 14 years. (The inscription for Leigh Dines Halstead is obscured)

In loving memory of Anne Dines Halstead who departed this life 22nd August 1890 after long suffering which she bore with sweet patience and Christian resignation

Historical death certificates state the cause of death. But have you ever scratched your head and wondered what the strange cause of death actually was, and what it that would translate to in today’s medical terms?

One of my colleagues pointed out a very helpful resource of Old Names for Illnesses and Causes of Death and it can be quite revealing about the types of medical conditions our ancestors were diagnosed with.

Below are a few from the list for you to ponder . . . can you work out what they are?

• Black Blood             • Podagra
• Bladder in Throat     • Phthisis
• Erysipelas                 • Milk Sickness

Scroll down to the read what today’s equivalent is . . . .

An Apple a Day keeps the Doctor away Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19200610-32-3 Heritage Images, Digital Library

Showing the sick bay at St Stephen's College, 1922 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-4144 Heritage Images, Digital Library

Illnesses and Causes of Death is accessible at the link below under the heading Articles to help your Genealogical Research.

• Black Blood - Syphilis
• Bladder in Throat - Diptheria
• Erysipelas - Contagious skin disease, due to Streptococci with vesicular and bulbous lesions
• Milk Sickness - Disease from milk of cattle which had eaten poisonous weeds
• Podagra – Gout
• Phthisis - Chronic wasting away or a name for tuberculosis (TB)

For further information on this topic the Central Auckland Research Centre also has a reference only book A Dictionary of Medical & Related Terms for the Family Historian by Joan E. Grundy. The call number is 1 GEN AID.

Regards

Karen

Heritage Images database Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC257

Showing the grave and tombstone of Philip James Kunst, Helena Kunst, Charles Albert Kunst and Mary Ann Kunst in the Symonds Street Cemetery.

The inscription reads:

Sacred to the memory of Philip James Kunst, printer of the city who died August 9 1884 aged 78 years, Helena his wife August 30 1894 aged 68 years, Charles Albert Kunst died July 16 1895 aged 43 years, Mary Ann Kunst died June 12 1855 aged 9 months