12 March 2012, John Virgoe, Dying in North Meols in the late 18th Century

The parish of Meols was 9 miles in length covering Meols to Birkdale. Mr Virgoe researched the parish registers for 1770 – 1803 for details of local occupations which included fishing, subsistence farming and smuggling. However, for a period of 10 years from 1790 the causes of death are shown. The ages at death reveal that 25% died under one year and 5% were over 80 years. Most deaths occurred during January to March except for two epidemics. The commonest causes were drowning, consumption, weakness, fits, smallpox, fever and accidental. Often details are imprecise and describe symptoms rather than the cause itself, but in general show that this was a relatively healthy area in which to live. These figures may be compared with those from Colne which were recorded from 1790 – 1812 showing deaths which were attributable to damp, industrial living conditions.

Bills of Mortality were established in London in 1603 and some registers were kept in York and Chester before General Registration was introduced in 1837.