I have received the death certificate for William. Interestingly, his home address was given as 19 Allerton Street, East Road, City Road – is this the same as 19 Allerton Street Hoxton New Town, where his wife and family lived for many years? It seems very likely (Sam, where are you when I need you? ) – if it is, then it shows he was still in touch with his family despite his absences in previous censuses.
Even more interesting, when I described the cause of death “exhaustion of dementia and senile decay with cerebral softening” to a retired doctor friend of mine, she said “did he have syphilis?” As we think his father and brother did die from this disease, it seems very likely he did too – and he died in Friern Barnet Lunatic Asylum!
Perhaps his previous absences could be explained by an investigation of this hospital’s records, but I’d have to go to London to access them!
I will be putting all details and copies of certificates (also have his wife’s death cetificate) online soon, my main computer is out of action at the moment.