Burials in Rotterdam (1782-1784)¶
Burial of Justine (1782)¶
September 12, 1782 - Burial of Justine
Document Information¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Type | DTB Rotterdam Begraven |
| Date | September 12, 1782 |
| Deceased | Justine Cabos |
| Age | approx. 2 years |
| Parents | Etienne Cabos and Maria Justine Siercken |
Description¶
On September 12, 1782, little Justine was buried - just under two years after her birth on September 4, 1780. High child mortality was a tragic normality in the 18th century.
Burial of Marie Christine (1784)¶
"overledene was 5 1/4 jaar; Visserdijk Galanteriwinkel"
In June 1784, Marie Christine died in Rotterdam (5 1/4 years old). Entry for Christine in the burial register, DTB Rotterdam Begraven.
Document Information¶
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Document Type | DTB Rotterdam Begraven |
| Date | June 1784 |
| Deceased | Marie Christine Cabos |
| Age | 5 1/4 years |
| Residence | Vissersdijk, Haberdashery Shop |
Transcription¶
"overledene was 5 1/4 jaar; Visserdijk Galanteriwinkel"
Translation: "The deceased was 5 1/4 years old; Vissersdijk, Haberdashery Shop"
Description¶
In June 1784, the Cabos family suffered a heavy blow: Marie Christine, only 5 1/4 years old, died. She had been born in Stettin (ca. 1779) and experienced the move to Rotterdam as a small child.
The sober entry in the burial register notes the family's address: Vissersdijk, Haberdashery Shop - an indication that the family was still operating their business at this time.
The Tragedy of Child Loss¶
Within two years, the Cabos family lost two children:
| Child | Birth | Death | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justine | Sept. 4, 1780 | Sept. 12, 1782 | approx. 2 years |
| Marie Christine | ca. 1779 | June 1784 | 5 1/4 years |
Child Mortality in the 18th Century¶
High child mortality was one of the great tragedies of the era. Approximately one-third of all children died before their fifth birthday. Common causes of death included:
- Infectious diseases (measles, smallpox, scarlet fever)
- Diarrheal diseases
- Pneumonia
- Malnutrition
The loss of children was part of the sad reality of many families - including the Cabos family.