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Listing stillborn Children

Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 17 Sep 2013 3:09PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Shaw
Just wondering if someone can offer some advice. My Partner has children from a previous Relationship, one of whom was stillborn. Would it be correct for me to include his stillborn child in *my* family tree, and should I also list his childrens' mother? (I have already listed his surviving child, who is the Twin of the stillborn child.)

Re: Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 27 Sep 2013 3:42PM GMT
Classification: Query
That is a very personal decision. Maybe ask he and his living child how they feel about it. Include if they are ok with it.

In my tree I added the biological father of my 2 sons so they may know who their biological family line is as well as my husband's family since he is "dad" to them.

I also included their still born half sister. I raised them knowing about her and it made sense to document her along with her mother in our tree.

To each his or her own though. Some families have a difficult time with steps as well as still borns, ex's...etc...

Re: Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 27 Sep 2013 6:33PM GMT
Classification: Query
Thanks for the reply and the suggestions. I should perhaps have been a little more specific though. For me, it goes without saying that I would discuss this with my Partner before doing anything; (and more than likely asking him to discuss it with his Ex too.) My Partner's child is still quite young, so it's probably not appropriate to disucss it with them. What I was wondering was whether it would be genealogically appropriate to list all of my Partner's children in *my* family tree. :-)

Re: Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 1 Oct 2013 8:43PM GMT
Classification: Query
Ahh got ya. If his child is young probably not a discussion for little ears.

From a lineage perspective, not factually relevant.

From a family history perspective, definitely relevant.

Your marriage to anyone would be important too, especially if you have children together.

Another option could be to include in your own profile or, if you have added your partner, in their profile, a story or summary including your step child/children and their information.

Many blended families with many options these days!

Re: Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 23 Nov 2013 4:26PM GMT
Classification: Query
If you look at published historical genealogies, they will generally list all children of both parents and indicate the biological mother for the stepchildren of either parent.

Re: Listing stillborn Children

Posted: 2 Feb 2014 1:45AM GMT
Classification: Query
My grandparents had one and it was so painful they didn't discuss the stillbirth - I was stunned to learn about it in my mid-20s or so. (My grandpa was sick by this time and both felt, I think, it was best to mention that it had happened at least.)

(I actually wanted to have a burial for her and got paperwork ready to exhumea nd rebury, but it would have been too hard to figure out which grave was which where she was buried so we didn't. "We know she's in Heaven, that's what matters" is what my mom figures.)

I think from a family history prespective it's important but I'd put it in your own profile or wherever and not in the tree. It might actually make a nice little ceremony for his/her living twin when they are old enough - let *them* honor that stillborn child by being the one to add him/her to the tree.
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