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Just received a death certificate 1874 for gggran thought she may have died in childbirth age 45. Never ever heard of this before cause of death: Visitation from God. I INTERPRET THIS AS NATURAL CAUSES BUT WHO KNOWS ??? Anymore ideas? Pauline

Never heard anything like it - are you sure that's what it says??? Kath. x

Hi Pauline How did they know God had been round when the found her body? Or was someone with her to confirm the visitation? Maybe she left a note. Or do you think that was what they put instead of "we have no idea what happened". It sounds a bit more interesting! Lynne

I have exactly the same on one of the death certificates i have. Cause if Death = visitation from god this was back in 1843. I did wonder about this perhaps thats what they put when they had no idea of cause of death. Jill

Hi Pauline...found this on Paul Smith site http://www.paul_smith.doctors.org.uk/v.htm ‘Visitation of God Probably means Old Age or natural causes It had been said that death from Visitation of God might imply a punishment from God of someone who was sinful, but it could also mean someone who was blessed by God because they were spared from enduring a distressing illness or they were rewarded for their virtuous life by admission the heaven. I think it means natural causes Christine

Just Googled - death certificate visitation from God - and there are a number of results regarding this. Kath. x

Many thanks Kathleen, Lynne, Christine and Jill (thank goodness someone else has had the same) Some interesting comments just to add there was an inquest held by the coroner for the Liberty of Fusrell ? Is Fusrell a place does anyone know??? Pauline

I have received a death cert this morning and that says Visitation of God, also disease of the heart. There was also an inquest. Would the fact that this person was Roman Catholic have anything to do with it do you think? Margaret

Hi Margaret You could be right my rellie was Roman Catholic. Pauline

Pauline - what area of the country are we looking at for this death?

Jools Mine was in York Margaret

here is a site which may be of interest to anyone trying to discover causes of death meanings. Old medical terms for use by Genealogists freepages(.)genealogy(.)rootsweb(.)com/~wakefield/medical(.)html

I've seen this explained on a website and it said it was used for sudden unexplained deaths. Visitation was spelt with a capital V in reverence. Around 1874 they decided it wasn't very nice to blame God and there were big discussions about not using it. Don't know what happened after that though. Lorraine

Jools The area was Dalton in the county of Lancaster. Pauline

Hi I was reading through newspaper articles of prisoners on a website somewhere and a man had died while in custody and the cause of death was " A VISIT FROM GOD". I thought it rather amusing. Alyson

I live about a mile from Dalton nr Lancaster, could check local churchyard for you. Fascinating cause of death, couldn't help but be interested.

The good Lord giveth, and the good Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. nell

Go to www.paul-smith.doctors.*org.*uk/archaicmedicalterms.htm remove* click on V and scroll down you will find an explanation.

Many thanks to all that took the time to reply all comments very helpful. Roslyn have emailed direct regarding cemetary search many thanks. Lyla appreciate your tip searching local papers. Cheers Pauline