certificates

[EllenCatusco]

If there is no profession listed after someones name, would I assume they are dead. I understand that ivi just means the same place, but if a profession is also not listed would I be assuming correctly?

[erudita74]

Hi Ellen-

Sometimes the absence of information in a record actually supports a research claim, particularly if certain key words which clearly indicate that the person is deceased, such as fu, defunto, or defunta, are missing from the document. The absence of these words, and the blank space where an occupation should be written, are actually considered to be “negative evidence” and IMPLY that the person is deceased. It is, however, always a good idea to verify this inferred conclusion, by locating a death record for the person in question.

Erudita

[EllenCatusco]

Thanks Erudita..I'm gonna assume they are dead at this particular time and work backwards.

[erudita74]

That's what I would do at this point, Ellen.

BTW, I checked the Belgian archives website again earlier today, and it doesn't look like it's been updated.

Erudita

[EllenCatusco]

Erudita,

Yes I keep checking too. Shes still a mystery