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Death certificates are among the most valuable records for genealogy research. They provide key details such as birth and death dates, parental names, and sometimes even a spouse’s name. But there’s often a number written near the cause of death—one that many researchers overlook.
I certainly did. I just assumed it was something to do with a county’s filing system or something along those lines. I was wrong!
Table of Contents
Understanding Death Certificate Codes
That number isn’t just a random filing notation; it’s part of an international coding system used to classify causes of death. Understanding this code can help you verify information, interpret difficult handwriting, and even uncover patterns in family health history.
What Are Death Certificate Codes?
Death certificate codes refer to a classification system known as the International Classification of Diseases (ICD). This system assigns numeric codes to causes of death for medical and statistical purposes. These codes have been in use since the late 19th century and are regularly updated to reflect new medical knowledge.
Each version (or revision) of the ICD system categorizes diseases with unique numeric codes. The specific ICD revision used depends on the time period when your ancestor passed away.
For example:
- ICD-1 (1900)
- ICD-3 (1920)
- ICD-10 (1990s–present)
Why Are These Codes on Death Certificates?
ICD codes were originally developed to standardize death records across different regions and countries. For genealogists, these codes can be invaluable when:
- You want to track patterns of illness in your family tree.
- The handwriting on a death certificate is difficult to read.
- Archaic medical terms make the cause of death unclear.
In the example below, you see the number 77 written by the cause of death. This is the ICD code. More on what that actually means below.
How to Look Up a Death Certificate Code
Deciphering the numbers on a death certificate requires understanding which version of the ICD system was in use at the time. These codes can vary between different time periods, so identifying the correct revision is crucial.
Finding the Right ICD Revision for Your Ancestor’s Era
As an example, take a look at the 1923 death certificate of my great grandmother Esther Richardson Talbott.
Here is the close up look at the cause of death section:
Her cause of death was listed as pulmonary tuberculosis, and the ICD code was 31.
In this case, the recorder’s penmanship was legible, but frequently that is not the case, so we would use the ICD code. In this case, 31.
Head over and find the corresponding ICD version for your ancestor’s date of death. (This is the equivalent of the “decoder ring”!)
In our example we want to use the ICD-3 (1920) version since this was the current listing used at the time of Esther’s death.
Code 31 corresponded to “Tuberculosis of the respiratory system” confirming her cause of death. Interestingly enough, Esther’s brother Rueben Richardson also died of TB.
Why Do You Need to Know Your Ancestor’s Cause of Death?
Okay, that’s interesting, but how does that ICD code really help your genealogy research?
Knowing an ancestor’s cause of death can give you insight into an early or untimely death and that cause of death can provide clues to other records!
Identifying Family Health Patterns
Knowing and tracking causes of death across multiple generations can reveal genetic conditions or common diseases in your family.
In the case of Esther above, knowing she suffered from tuberculosis (TB) and knowing that her brother did as well, helped to locate her brother Rueben in Asheville, NC.
Knowing TB was in the family, led to further research into the treatment of TB and where people received treatment for it. That led to Asheville, NC, a known destination for the treatment of tuberculosis and where I found Rueben and another family member as well.
Finding Newspapers, Inquests, and Court Records
If a death certificate indicates an unusual or violent cause of death, other records may exist for your ancestor. Consider looking for:
- Newspaper articles covering the incident
- Inquest records if an official investigation was conducted
- Court documents if legal proceedings followed the death
FAQs About Death Certificate Codes
These numbers are ICD codes, used to classify the cause of death in a standardized way. They help with recordkeeping and can assist genealogists in interpreting medical terms.
Yes, ICD codes have been updated periodically since 1900. Each revision may classify causes of death slightly differently.
Older or locally issued death certificates may not include an ICD code. In this case, researching the written cause of death or consulting historical medical dictionaries can help.
Final Thoughts
Take another look at your ancestor’s death certificates and locate the ICD code. By decoding it, you might uncover new research leads and gain deeper insight into your family’s medical history.
By using historical ICD revisions, you can ensure that even the most difficult-to-read death certificates provide valuable information for your genealogy journey.
Other Posts of Interest
Are you interested in learning more about your ancestor’s death certificate and other death records? Check out these posts:
I found this interesting about the numbers on the death certif. I pulled out copies of my relatives. Only one had a number listed for cause of death. This was a death in 1926 from an accidental fall. — something I already knew. All the other death certif. from 1950 to present don’t list numbers for anything — not death or occupation or anything else.
I was also wondering about the numbers listed under things like “Trade or occupation” my copy of the death certif. does have the trade listed so I did use that.
I have been wanting to figure out how to access inquest reports as I have a few people whose death certificates only say “Inquest Pending” with no cause of death.
I clicked on the above link which took me to http://www.wolfbane.com/icd/
I know this will be very helpful and will be one that I refer to when I can’t read the cause of death. I shared this with three of my relatives who, like me, have problems trying to determine cause of death at times.
I thank you for sharing all of your tips and look forward to receiving them.
Did they quit writing those numbers on the DCs at some point? After reading your article I immediately pulled out my father and mother’s BCs. They died 10 months apart in 1979. There were no numbers on either one.
I have a 1951 Missouri Death Cert in which field 24a for “Burial, Cremation, Remove (Specify)” shows “REMOVAL, 5” that was typed in. I want to know what this means, especially the 5 if it is a code for the reason for removal. The funeral director who signed the certificate was near where the death occured in the K.C. Missouri area and a the cemetery listed on the form was 2 hours north, in Iowa; but I am pretty sure I have seen BURIAL typed in on other certificates for people he died in Missouri and were buried in Iowa.
Jim, that is interesting. I suggest you contact the vital records dept of the county or of Missouri and ask them. It might be a code that is specific to Missouri. I have not seen that before.
My 2x Gt. Grandfather was born Illegitimately. He was present with his unmarried mother in 1841 census age 4. in 1851 census he was with an older couple and he was raised by them, a childless couple. I have found no proof of adoption. In his guardian father.s Will, he left it worldly goods to his son (my 2xGt. grandfather), with the understanding that he will care for his 90 year old wife at the farm until her death. On my 2x Gt. grandfathers marriage certificate, he used his mother’s name and added his guardians name and used that double barrelled name all his life. His children were all named after his guardian father. when his birth mother died, he was present at her death and on the death certificate the double barrelled name was crossed out, leaving only the mother’s surname and 8 (eight) written beside it. Does anyone know what that means and if I can find out from the Register Office the reason why they crossed it out.
Thank you
Diane F
I am looking at Sarah J Andrews who died in 1922 in Robersonville, NC. I cannot find a death certificate online but she is on the death register. Is there a master sheet that details what each column is and what the codes stand for?
Thanks,
Ron
Good morning.. I don’t have thee actual death certificate but a death index with a family members name and the number on it. The only problem is it’s 5 numbers 😩 it’s from 1921 in New York . 17148 Should I assume it’s two numbers combined . Thank you