Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Flowery Language in Death Notices

Death records were not required in Kentucky prior to 1911. That is one reason newspaper obituaries and death records are so valuable in determining when our ancestors died. The flowery language shines through, allowing us to hear the news in the language of the day. The following obituaries appeared in the Crittenden Record-Press, Marion, Kentucky, on Tuesday 10 August 1909, page 1.

“Miss Rubenach Nimmo died Thursday July 20 after an illness of ten weeks. She was born April 15, 1894 and was consequently 15 years, 3 months and 14 days  old. She was a patient sufferer and a sweet Christian character, having joined the Christian church in 1906. The funeral service were conducted at the home of the parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Nimmo, on Friday, by Rev. Flynn of the Christian church, assisted by Rev. Oakley of the C.P.  church and Rev. R.C. Love of the Methodist church.  After the beautiful and impressive service at the home that loved her so devotedly, her body was consigned to mother-earth in the lovely Marion Cemetery in the presence of a host of sorrowing relatives and friends.

“Wilma Rose, the infant daughter of Mrs. Agnes Ashley, died very suddenly Wednesday evening after an illness of but a day. She was stricken Tuesday and Wednesday, her pure little spirit took its flight for the Beautiful City, where today she is basking in the sunlight of God’s love. The funeral service was held at Sugar Grove by Rev. Oakley in the presence of a vast number of sympathizing friends.”

 Published 20 Jul 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

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