David Lambert The Online Genealogist

Each day (M-F), the NEHGS Online Genealogist, will post an interesting "Question of the Day" to share with you. We hope these questions are valuable and beneficial in your research. Check back daily for new questions and answers or read through our archives. SUBMITTING A QUESTION: You can email the Online Genealogist at onlinegenealogist@nehgs.org. Please try to formulate the question(s) within one or two paragraphs. It is helpful to mention sources that you have already used to try and answer your questions if applicable. If you require someone to perform research at NEHGS for you please contact our NEHGS Research Services department at research@nehgs.org or by phone at 1-617-226-1233.

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November 19, 2009

Question:
I am having difficulty finding information on my Great great grandmother. Her death certificate says her father [C.N.B.L] Daniels, mother just says [C.N.B.L.]. Do you know what that stands for?

Answer:
The death record abbreviation of C.N.B.L. stands for "Can Not Be Learned". This question does arise from time to time. The informant on that death record was not aware of the parentage for the deceased.

Archives:

• 11-19-2009
  I am having difficulty finding information on my Great great grandmother. Her death certificate says her father [C.N.B.L] Daniels, mother just says [C.N.B.L.]. Do you know what that stands for?
• 11-18-2009
  The Vital Records of Newbury, Volume II (Marriages and Deaths), page 26, lists the marriage intentions of one Abigail Bailey and Jonathan Hills, October 10, 1748. A parenthetic notation states that “Abigail Bayle forbids proceeding”. Does this just mean she changed her mind?
• 11-17-2009
  One of my ancestors was involved in starting a textile mill in Lowell, Massachusetts. During a conversation with a fellow historian they mentioned there was an organization for relatives of textile factory workers and owners alike. Can you assist me with finding this organization?
• 11-16-2009
  Recently I visited the gravestone of an ancestor who died during the Spanish American War. He has a typical white marble military stone which is now toppled and broken. Since this is a small town cemetery I had no office to visit. Can you tell me what I can do to replace this gravestone of my relative?
• 11-13-2009
  Can you tell me when communities in Massachusetts stopped publishing births, marriages and deaths in town reports?
• 11-11-2009
  What city directories can I find online for Fitchburg, Massachusetts for the 19th and 20th centuries?
• 11-10-2009
  I am looking for information on my great-uncle who served for Canada during the first World War.
• 11-9-2009
  I found an Alien Registration Card from 1940 belonging to my great-grandfather recently. Is there any information I can obtain with this number?
• 11-5-2009
  I am a member of the SAR, Robert Treat Paine Chapter. I am looking for information on the names and location of cemeteries of patriots from the Bridgewater parish in Brockton, Massachusetts.