Why did my Great grandpa die?

Question

I found out he died in June of 1918 but the accounts said that 'the Influenza' didn't strike Seattle until October. Does that rule it out? He didn't go to war. I know it's all speculation. I may find out from hospital records someday, I guess.

Answer 1

maybe he was one of the people who brought it over

Answer 2

It's doubtful that there are any hospital records, but there is a death certificate on file at the King County Building that will tell you exactly how he died. It's a public record and you can order it online. Here's the website with all the information you need: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/vital_st/

Answer 3

Before people started looking really deeply into microscopes, diseases were much more easily lumped together. Without modern techniques like dyes, microscopy, and gene tests, dieases were classified by symptoms, not anyone actually isolating a species of bacteria in your guts. Therefore, any number of diseases might've been called "influenza" back in the day.