The informant: it is one of the most important sections of a death certificate. It provides an indication of the accuracy of the personal and familial history of the subject. If it was a sister or brother, then the parents’ names are likely, but not always, correct. If it was a parent, then the parents’ names are probably correct and the birth date might be trusted. If it was a spouse, we would like to trust the information but should be skeptical. If it was someone at the nursing home, hospital or funeral home, then all bets are off.
But what if the informant was the dead person herself?
Here is the name and address of the deceased:
Here is the name and address of the informant:
This is the first time I have come across this. I don’t know how common it is. I imagine that whoever filled out this section must have questioned Annie C. Ogle prior to her death (and not after!) Â and used the information she provided.
The information about her parents agrees with other sources. The only new information on this death certificate besides the date and place of death is her birthdate and given the close relationship of the informant to the deceased I’ll accept it. For now.
