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SUICIDE DIFFERENTIALS IN MICEIGAN

By

William Widick Schroeder

A THESIS

Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Michigan
State College of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree of

MASTER OF ARTS

Department of SociOIOgy
and AnthrOpology

O

1951 ‘

-’///':'1

Chapter

I.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
A. Review of Suicide Literature
B. Problems Confronted in a Sociological Analysis of

C.

Suicides
Proposed Theoretical Orientation in This Study

II. Method of Making POpulation Estimates

III.

BibliOgraphy

Appendix

UOW>
0

Introduction
Computation of Overall Population Estimates

Page
1

l

27
5o

52

52
52

Computation of Estimates of Foreign-born, by Age and Sex 55

Computation of Estimates of Non-white POpulation of

Michigan

55

Computation of Estimates of the Native White Pepulation

of Michigan by Age and Sex

Estimation of Population by Occupation, by Sex, 1947
Estimation of Marital Status of POpulation Fourteen

and Over, by Sex, 1947

Analysis of Michigan Suicide Data, 1945—1949

0 O O

(-4 H mQuJFJUOEDP
o o o o

t‘N

A.
B.

Introduction

Collection and Analysis of Data

Presentation and Analysis of Data

Rural-Urban Differentials

Effects of Migration on Suicide Rates

Means Suicides Employ to Kill Themselves

Date of Death of Suicide

Relation of Length of Stay in the Community to the
Suicide Rate

Removal of Body of Suicide as Indication of
Integration within the Community

Negro—White Differentials

Effect of Age Differentials on Selected Variables

Conclusions

Iichigan POpulation Estimates
Tables

()u-JME " f"‘4 I“;

55
56

57
57

57
59

49

60

64

75
79

81
85

85
87

This study has been initiated as an outgrowth of a study by Paul M.

Houser and J. Allan Beegle on.Mortality Differentials in Michigan. In

 

their study, it was found that the rural suicide rate in Michigan is
considerably higher than the urban suicide rate. Such a phenomenon is
uncommon in most western societies for which data are available. Both
empirical data and theoretical constructs, as will be shown in this study,
indicate that the reverse situation is the one to be eXpected. The current
study attempts to determine causative factors for this uncommon situation
in Michigan.

The present work.has been divided into three chapters. The first
chapter deals with a review of the literature in this field and introduces
the theoretical orientation which this writer prOposes to employ. The
second chapter discusses techniques that were employed to obtain.Michigan
pOpulation estimates. The third chapter presents the empirical results of
the analysis of suicides in Michigan between 1945 and 1949 and relates them
etiologically. Two appendices provide base population data and provide
additional suicide data not incorporated in the body of this study.

The writer wishes to acknowledge the kind cooperation of the Michigan
Department of Health, who provided the Social Research Service of Michigan
State College with a list of suicides occurring during the years under
consideration and who permitted researchers to utilize the records of the

department to obtain the data upon which this study is based.

The writer is grateful for funds provided by the Department of

Sociology and Anthropology at Michigan State College which made this

iii
investigation possible. He wants to thank Luetta Bartel for typing the
manuscript. Fredric Schroeder aided in the statistical computations.

He is deeply indebted to J. Allen Beegle, Associate Professor of
Sociology and Anthropology at Michigan State College, who initiated and
supervised the collection of data and who counseled the writer through-
out the course of the study.

W. Widick Schroeder

Lansing, Michigan
September, 1951

CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION

A. Review of Suicide Literature

The subject of suicide has attracted widespread interest in the world
for centuries. The phenomenon has been observed in all modern contemporary
as well as in many pro-literate societies. Although there has been a marked
increase in the number of suicides in industrialized, urbanized societies,
suicides have been committed since the beginning of recorded history and
undoubtedly were committed in pre-literate times. The phenomenon is one
which has many interesting and mysterious facets for the layman. To the
moralist and reformer it represents a serious problem that demands ime-
diate consideration and amelioration. For the scientist the phenomenon
provides an interesting opportunity for an investigation of the dynamics
and processes of the interaction of the individual and the society.

Although the subject is one which certainly is of interest to most
hmnan beings, it appears that there is a taboo which prevents an open
discussion of the various aspects of the problem. Karl A. Menninger sug-
gests that suicide is a subject which is frequently referred to in Jest
to forestall a serious consideration of it.1

There has been a dearth of scientific literature in the field.
Menninger suggests that the taboo of which he speaks may extend into the
scientific field. It may well be that investigators have not recognized
the extent of the problem because the suicide rate in the United States

[—

1llenninger, Karl A., Man Agai nst Himse____]_._f. New York: Harcourt, Brace,
and Company. 1938 pp- 13-16

2
is low when compared with other causes of death. The mortality rate from
suicide in Michigan in l9h0 was 13.9 per 100,000 population.; Table 1 'T‘
indicatei the death rate and relative rank for selected causes of death
in Michigan, 19140.

Table l

MORTALITY RATES AND RELATIVE RANK FROM SELECTED CAUSES
OF DEATH IN MICHIGAN, 19ho*

 

 

L>7<:\ Rate per
Rank ‘ Cause of death 100,000
1 ,population
1 Diseases of the heart 296.8
2 Cancer and other malignant
tumors l19.h
3 Intracranial lesions of vascular
origin (apoplexy) 89.5
h Nephritis 56.5
S Pneumonia and influenza 52.8
6 Accidents other than.motor
VSMCIB us?
7 Tuberculosis 3h.3
8 Mbtorbvehicle accidents 33.1
9 Diabetes 26.6
10 Premature births 2h.0
11 Suicide 13.9
12 Congenital malformation 13.8
13 Syphilis 11.5
1h Appendicitis 9.5
23 Homicide 3.0
2h Alcoholism 1.1

 

‘Houser, Piul FE andBeeglejfiJ. Allan,‘fiort5lity Differentials $2
Iichi . Michigan State College: Agricultural Experiment Station
Special Bulletin 367, 1951. p. 18.

This table reveals the highest death rates are from physical dis-
orders. However, it is not fair to compare the suicide rate with these
rates.for the origin of the causes of suicide in most cases is not physiol-

ogical in.nature; rather, it is social or psychological in origin. If

3
the nonphyaological causes of death are considered, the results shown in

Table 2 are obtained.
Table 2

MORTALITY RATES AND RELATIVE RANK 0F NONPHYSIOLOGICAL
CAUSES OF DEATH IN MICHIGAN, 191.01

 

 

Rate per

Rank /)X(/’ Cause of Death 100,000

,pqpulation
1 Accidents other than motor

vehicles h1.7

2 Motor vehicle accidents 33.1

3 Suicide 13.9

h Homicide 3.0

5 Alcoholism? 1.1

 

""""1'Dita obtained fienfible 1.

2It is recognized that a1coholism.may certainly have a physiological
as well as psychological base. Furthermore, the figure is probably low.
Many alcoholics probably die from complicating diseases to which is attri-
‘buted the cause of death.

Ihile suicides are about three times less prevalent than either motor V
vehicle or other accidents, they are four times more numerous in Michigan
than homicides. In the United States, suicides are usually about twice as
common as homicides. In l9h8, about 16,h00 suicides were reported as com-
pared with about 8,500 homicides.3

Two sources have been most fruitful in the production of work dealing“
'with the subject of suicides. The two areas are actuarial studies, which
is defined to include studies of suicide statistics and their sociological

interpretation, and psychoanalytic psychiatry.

 

3Vita1 Statistics 2;; the United States, 1938. Part 11. . Place 3;
Residence. Washington: Government Printing Office, 1950 . p. 1.46.

a

One of the earliest systematic sociological studies of suicide was
undertaken by the renowned French sociologist, Emile Durkheim. His work
L§,§Eicide was published in.Paris in 1897.

Durkheim defined suicide as follows:

Suicide is applied to all cases of death resulting directly

or indirectly from a positive or negative act of the victim him-

self, which he knows will produce this result.1

It was observed that it was extremely difficult to characterize an
act as suicide. Durkheim pointed out that many acts, such as risking one‘s
life to save a friend, toying with death through daredevil exploits, or over-
indulging in food, drink, or work certainly were related to suicide. How-
ever, he suggested from a methodological point of view it was unsound to
class these acts as suicide.

Repeating his oft-emphasized position that social facts must be
studied as external to the individual, Durkheim considered suicide to be
a phenomenon which could be studied at a level of abstraction above that
of the individual case history level. He insisted that if one looked at
suicides committed in a given society during a given period of time as a
whole, rather than as only separate occurrences which were unrelated and
studied separately, the total was not simply the sum of its individual
components. This total was itself a new fact with its own units, individ-
uality and, consequently, its own nature. Furthermore, the nature was
predominately social. To demonstrate this thesis, the Frendh sociologist
cited the fact that the statistics for one state remained relatively

constant over a number of years because the environmental conditions of

 

1Durkheim, Emile, Translated by George Simpson, Spicide. Glencoe.
Illinois: The Free Press, 1951. p. #4.

5
the state varied slowly. It was admitted that more drastic variations did
occur, but he pointed out that they were always contemporaneous with some
passing crisis affecting the cultural milieu. If longer periods of time
‘were considered, more drastic changes did occur. Durkheim attributed them
to the fact that the structural nature of the society under consideration
changed profoundly during the period.

According to Durkheim two kinds of extra-social causes that might
affect the suicide rates were psychological conditions and the physical
environment. Durkheim examined the data to see if it were possible that
such factors affected the suicide rate. He proceeded to negate doctrines
which ascribed suicide to extra-social factors such as psychopathic states,
race, heredity, climate, temperature, and imitation.

Durkheil.cited statistical evidence to demonstrate that no psycho-
pathic state bore a regular and indisputable relation to suicide. Suicides
in a given society did not vary directly with the number of mentally ill
or with the number or alcoholics. He maintained that while the different
forms of degeneration were an eminently suitable psychological field for
the action of the causes that may lead a man to suicide, degeneration
itself was not one of these causes. It was admitted that under similar
circumstances the mentally ill was more apt to commit suicide than the
well man; however, he did.not necessarily do so because of his condition.1
The suicide potential becomes effective only because of the influence of

other factors to be determined.2

A A

1It‘will be observed.that contemporary paychoanalytic theory would
consider anyone who commits suicide mentally ill.

2Durkheim, 92. 313., pp. 57-81.

In his examination of the influence of race upon suicide, Durkheim
emphasized the preponderant influence of the environment on suicide rates
and concluded that the "obscure operations of race" need not be introduced.
A similar argument was used to negate the influence of heredity upon
suicide rates.1

In the first section of his work, Durkheim also developed the thesis
that cosmic factors, namely, climate and seasonal temperatures, did not
have an influence on the suicide rate. Evidence indicated that throughout
Europe the suicide rate was highest in the summer, second.highest in the
spring, third in the autumn, and lowest in the winter. Table 3 indicates
the nature of the proportions as Durkheim presented them:

Table 3

PROPORTIONAL SHARE OF EACH SEASON IN THE ANNUmL

I

 

> ;’ TOTAL OF THE SUICIDES OF EACH COUNTRY*

 

Denmark Belgium. France Saxony Bavaria Austria Prussia
(1858-65) (18hl-h9) (ks-58) (57-68) (58-65) (58-59) (69-72)

 

Summer 312 301 306 307 308 315 290
Spring 28h 275 283 281 282 281 28h
Autumn 227 229 210 217 218 219 227
‘Winter 177 195 201 195 192 185 199
1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000
Summer---June through August Autumn--September through November
Spring-~4March through.May ‘Winter-—December through February

 

/<: 'fiurkhefii,‘gp. git., p. 1087

nvl
f 7‘
x-5>
e+<

'/<;1though.it would.hppear at cursory inspection that the seasonal variation

in temperature would be responsible for the vascillation of the suicide

 

lIbide , pp. 82.103 0

rate, this was not the case according to the writer. Durkheim asserted
that the reason for the variation.in the suicide rate in the various
countries under consideration was the fact that social interaction becomes
more intense as the season lengthened. He recognized the fact that this
greater intensity deve10ped from the greater ease of the development of
social life in the summer than the winter because of a more favorable
physical environment.t/fr

The last remaining non-social factor which may be related to suicide
that Durkheim considered was imitation. He defined imitation as existing
when "...the immediate antecedent of an act is the representation of a
like act, previously performed by someone else; with no explicit or implicit
mental operation which bears upon the intrinsic nature of the act reproduced
intervening between representation and execution."2

Durkheim resorted to three devices to indicate that imitation did not
influence the social suicide rate. First, he demonstrated that the suicide
differential between centers of high suicide rates and the surrounding area
did not vary regularly as one moved from the center. Second, although he
recognized the limitations of the approach, he discussed the influence of
newspapers upon public opinion. Assuming that newspapers in France and
England were equally influential with those of Denmark, Saxony and various
districts of Germany, the suicide rate in the various countries would be

similar if imitation were of profound importance in determining the suicide

 

llhid., pp. lot-122.

21bid., p. 129.

rate. Actually, the suicide rate in the fermer countries was much lower
than in the latter.1 Third, he suggested that the thought of suicide was
not sufficient to produce that act in another person unless that person
was already so inclined.2

After he had disposed of these extra-social factors, the author turned
to a discussion of social causes and social types of suicide. He rejected
the possibility of classifying morphologically because of the almost com-
plete lack of necessary data. The only practical way of classifying sui-
cides was by causes. However, the causes could not be determined by sta-
tistics on the assumed reasons because they were notorously unreliable.
The technique proposed.was to determine how the suicide rate varied in
terms of various social concomitants.
I- Durkheim differentiated three distinct types of suicides: egotistic,
altruistic, and anemic. The first type, egotistic suicide, resulted from
mans no longer finding a basis for existence in life. It resulted from the
lack of integration of the individual into society. Durkheim studied reli-
gious affiliation, marriage and the family, and the local and national
political community to develop his first type. He indicated the following
propositions:3

Suicide varies inversely with the degree 2; integration.gf
religious society.

 

1111c foregoing analysis is an excellent example of the type of analysis
for which.Durkheim may be justly criticized. He hypostatizes a statistical
average. The uniformity of the suicide rate from year to year may be due
to a uniform strength from year to year of a multiplicity of suicideepro-
ducing factors or the simultaneous variability of many.

2Durkhein, 9p. 3%., pp. 123—1112.
31bid., p. 208.

Suicide varies inversely with the doggee 2f integration 3:
domestic society.

 

 

 

Suicide varies inverseLy with the degree 9: integration 9:
political society.

 

 

 

Durkheim felt that the stronger the forces were that placed the individual
upon his own resources, the higher the suicide rate.

Durkheim's second type of suicide, altruistic suicide, resulted
because the basis for the existence of life appeared to man to be situated
beyond life itself. After he had established that the suicide rate varied
with the degree of integration of the individual into society, Durkheim
considered the type of suicide that existed in a society in which there
was a great deal of integration, such as among pre-literate groups. In
such a society, the individual's life is rigorously controlled by custom
and tradition. In such a society, suicide resulted from higher command-
ments, either those of religious sacrifice or unthinking political alle-
glance.l In the case of egotistic suicide, the individual was not ade-
quately integrated in the society; in the case of altruistic suicide, the
individual accepted the norms of the society to the extent that he takes
his own life in order to conform to those norms.2

The third type of suicide that the author posited, anomic suicide,

occurred because of a man's suffering when his activity lacked regulation.5

 

1Durkheim apparently included in his concept of altruistic suicide the
willing sacrifice of one for the benefit of another. These are not, as
Halbwachs later pointed out, considered by society to be suicides; and this
definition is not, therefore, a good sociological definition.

2Durkheim, pp. cit., pp. 217-2140.

5It is not always clear what criteria Durkheim used to differentiate
between anomic and egotistic suicide. For an outline of the relationship
between the two as Durkheim conceptualized it, the reader is referred to
page 288 of Suicide.

10
Han.was unable to retain common beliefs and practices that he had learned.
Durkheim treated such conditions as economic disasters, occupational

differentials, and divorces to demonstrate the fact that suicide rates

N

\;;33 increased when personal disorganization increased.1

L

After he had established the three forms of suicides, Durkheim
suggested that individual suicides could be classified according to the
types that he had develOped. He felt that this morphological classifi—
cation could be undertaken now that an etiological classification formed
its base. In actual experience, Durkheim noted that the various forms were
not always found in a pure state, but that very often they were combined
with one another. This phenomenon gave rise to composite types, i.e.,
characteristics of several types found in the same suicide. Two types,
egotistic and anomic, were very frequently related for they were usually
merely two different aspects of the same social state. Since the egotis-
tic type was detached from society, it usually had an insufficient hold
upon him to regulate his behavior;/,e

Anemia may also be connected with altruism.for the same crisis that
ruined a person's life and disturbed the equilibrium between himself and
his surroundings may at the same time increase his altruistic tendency to
a level that incited him to suicide.

To complete his conceptual scheme, Durkheim envisioned the combina-
tion of the egotistic and altruistic types. In epochs in which a disinte—
grating society could no longer serve as an objective for individual

activities, some individuals aspired to other ideals. These ideals become

 

lDurkheim, 22. 313., pp. 2141-276.

ll
increasingly important in their lives as egoism increased. Consequently,
they lived a twofold contradictory existence. They were individualists so
far as the real world was concerned and immoderate altruists so far as
their objective was concerned.-

Table h summarizes Durkheim's classification of social types of

 

 

 

suicide.
Table h
ETIOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE
SOCIAL TYPES OF SUICIDE*
Individual Forms Assumed
Fundamental Character Secondary varieties
Basic Egotistic Apathy Indolent melancholy with self-
types suicide complacence
The sceptic's disillusioned
sangfroid
Altruistic Energy of 'With calm.feeling of duty
suicide passion 'With mystic enthusiasm
or will 'With peaceful courage
Ana-dc Irritation, Violent recriminations against
suicide disgust life in general
Violent recriminations against
one particular person
Mixed Ego—anomic Mixture of agitation and apathy
types suicide of action and revery
Anonic altruistic Exasperated effervesence
suicide
Ego-altruistic melancholy tempered with moral
suicide fortitude.

 

'_;‘Dififiéim,lgp.‘g£§:, p. 293:

(he of the earliest contributions to the knowledge of suicides frm

the psychoanalyst came from the father of the field, Sigmund Freud. He

12
and most of the psychoanalysts that have followed him have suggested that
suicide was the result of murderous impulses which the suicide redirected
against himself. Freud said the following:

The melancholiac's erotic cathexis of his object identification
... undergoes a twofold fate: part of it regresses to identification,
but the other part, under the influence of the conflict of ambivalence,
is reduced to a state of sadism, which is nearer to this conflict.

It is this sadism, and only this, that solves the riddle of the
tendency to suicide which makes melancholia so interesting-and so
dangerous. As the primal condition from which instinct-life proceeds
we have come to recognize a self-love of the ego which is so immense,
in the fear that rises up at the menace of death we see liberated a
volume of narcissistic libido which is so vast, that we cannot conceive_
how this ego can connive at its own destruction. It is true we have
long known that no neurotic harbours thoughts of suicide which are
not murderous impulses against others re-directed upon himself, but we
have never been able to explain what interplay of forces could carry
such a purpose through to execution. Now the analysis of melancholia
shows that the ego can kill itself only when, the object-cathexis
having been'withdrawn upon it, it can treat itself as an object, when
it is able to launch against itself the animosity relating to an
object-that primordial reaction on the part of the ego to all objects
in the outer world. Thus in the regression from narcissistic object-
choice the object is indeed abolished, but in spite of all it proves
itself stronger than the ego's self.1

I. R. Roalfe and Karl Menninger both supported Freud's theories to
some extent. Roalfe suggested that in every case suicide represented
either the desire to kill another person or to escape a subjective or
objective problem. He further contended that the desire to kill another

person is itself the result of the desire to avoid a problem.2

 

1Freud, Sigmund, Collected Pa r . Volume IV. London: The Hogarth
Press and the Institute of Psycho-Analysis, I559. pp. 162-163.

2Roalfe,'w. R., "The Psychology of Suicide," The Journal g£.Abnormal
and Social Pszghology, Volume XXIII, pp. 59-67.

l3

Menningcr outlined his position most succinctly in Chapter 3 of his

work dealing with suicides, Man'égainst Himself. The chapter is repro-
duced in full:

It has been my purpose in this first section to make the fol-
lowing points:

First, that the destructiveness in the world cannot all be
ascribed to fate and the forces of nature, but must be in.part
laid at the door of man himself.

Second, that this destructivencss of mankind appears to include
a large amount of self-destructivenes, in paradoxical contradiction
to the axion.that selfepreservation is the first law of life.

Third, that the best theory to account for all the presently
known facts is FrGUd‘s hypothesis of a death instinct, or primary
impulses of destructiveness opposed by a life instinct or primary
impulses of creativeness and constructiveness; it is various phases
of interaction between these two which constitute the psychological
and biological phenomena of life.

Fourth, that according to Freud's conception both the destruc-
tive and constructive tendencies are originally self-directed but become
increasingly extraverted in connection with birth, growth, and life
experiences. In his contacts with others, the individual first reacts
with extraversion of his aggressive tendencies followed by an extra!
version of the erotic or constructive tendencies which by fusion with
the former may achieve varying degrees of neutralization of the
destructiveness from total to almost none.

Fifth, that when there is a forcible interruption in these
external investments or when too great difficulty is encountered in
maintaining them, the destructive and constructive impulses revert
back upon the person of their origin, that is, are turned back upon
the self.

Sixth, that here again, if defusion occurs, the destructive
tendencies lead and may permanently prevail so the self-destruction
to a lesser or greater degree supervenes; and that in this event one

an trace evidences of the wish to kill and wish to be killed, and
also the eroticized forms of these two wishes.

Seventh, that in those instances in which the self-destructive
impulses are overtaken and partially but not completely neutralized
we have the many forms of partial or chronic self—destruction to be
discussed in the subsequent chapters.

 

1In the rest of the work, Menninger treated “chronic suicide,” "focal
suicide,” and ”organic suicide.” Included.under I'chronic suicide" were
sections entitled "Asceticism and Martyrdom," "Neurotic Invalidism,”
"Alcohol Addiction,“ ”Anti-Social Behavior,“ and "Psychosis." Under
”focial suicide” were sections dealing with Self—Mutilations, Malingering,
Polysurgery, Purposive Accidents, and Impotence and Frigidity.

Eighth,that in those instances in which the self-destructive
impulses too far precede or exceed the neutralizing constructive
impulses, the result is that dramatic example of immediate self-
destruction known as suicide.

Ninth, that the close scrutiny of the deeper motives for suicide
would confirm this hypothesis in that there appear regularly to be
elements from.at least two and possibly three sources. These are,

(l) impulses derived from the primary aggressiveness crystallized as
a wish to kill, (2) impulses derived from a modification of the prime
itive aggressiveness, the conscience, crystallized as the wish to be
killed, and (3) I believe there is evidence that some of the original
primary self-directed aggressiveness, the wish to die, joins hands
with the more sophisticated motives and adds to the total vectorial
force which impels the precipitate self-destruction.

Tenth, that this is undoubtedly complicated by extraneous factors--
social attitudes, familiar patterns, community customs, and also by
those distortions of reality incident to an incomplete personality
development. The same individual whose childhood experiences so inhib-
ited his emotional growth as to make it difficult for him to establish
and maintain the proper external objectives for absorbing his loves and
hates is likely to be the one whose capacity for testing reality is so
impaired as to make suicide only another game of "going to Jerusalem.“

Eleventh, that we are certain that suicide cannot be explained as
the result of heredity, suggestion, or any of the symptoms of maladjust-
ment which so frequently precede it. Rather, we are frequently able to
see the steady progression of self-destructive tendencies first appear-
ing long before the consummation of the critical act.

Twelfth, that having thus examined the operations of destructive
and constructive tendencies in the formula resulting in immediate
suicide we may proceed to examine those instances of more successful
neutralization represented by the chronic and attenuated forms of self-
destruction.1

E. I.‘Williams advanced the theory that suicide resulted from frus-
tration and disappointment coupled with feelings of unworthiness and help-

lessness. In individuals with strong suicidal intent, Williams felt that

A

final type, the author included discussions of "The Totality Concept in
Medicine," "The Psychological Factor in Organic Disease,” and IThe Choice
of the Lesser Evil."

While these 'partial suicides," as Menninger called them, may be
interesting from the point of view of clinical psychiatry, it is impossible
to deal with them from the orientation to be proposed in this paper. Like
so much psychoanalytic theory, empirical verification of most of Menninger's
theory is extremely difficult if not impossible.

luenninger,lgp.‘git., pp. 81-83.

15
there was a strong narcissistic component in the personality which was
unable to combat reverses or accept defeat. Inssuch individuals, the ego
became confused and as a result the libidinal drive was blocked. The
result of this blockage was self destruction.1

Williams felt that the manner of destruction depended upon whether
someone else had wronged the individual or whether he had wronged himself.
In the former situation, the act was usually carried out dramatically and
openly. In the latter case, it was generally carried out more or less
quietly.2

Ruth Shonle Gavan approached the study of suicide from both
actuarial and case history orientation in her Suicide. (1928)

Cavan agreed with Durkheim when she defined suicide as the inten-
tional taking of one's life or the failure to save one's self when death
threatens and it is possible to do so. She indicated two extreme types
of suicide and many intermediate types. At one extreme was the highly
institutionalized form of suicide which has not yet completely passed out
of the customs of some of the oriental people; at the other extreme was

the highly individualized suicides of contemporary western society.

1Williams, E. Y., "Some Observations on the Psychological ASpects of
Suicide," The Journal 2f Abnormal and Social Psychology. Volume XXXI,
pp. 260-2657-

2This generalization indicates some of the questionable work in this
field. -Williams clinically examined 38 cases of unsuccessful suicides to
determine the nature of the circumstances that caused them to make an
attempt on their own lives and to determine the techniques employed. The
following criticism of his work may be made: (1) No statistical test of
any nature was reported. In view of the relatively small sample employed,
significant results may not have accrued. (2) The sample is biased. No
examination of successful suicides was reported. (3) The analysis come
pletely overlooks the fact that cultural factors rather than the source
of wrong may influence the technique employed.

16
Between these two extreme forms, one in conformity with the mores and one
in opposition to the mores, lay many intermediate forms. Among such types
could be counted the religious martyr, the captain who remains on the
sinking ship, and the soldier who performs acts "above and beyond the call
of duty."1

Cavan's work is divided into two parts. The first part deals with
suicide and social disorganization, the second with suicide and personal
disorganization. Unfortunately, there has been little effort to relate the
individual case histories of suicides to the basic elements of the social
structure. The two sections are nearly independent of each other.

In the first section of her work, Gavan pointed out that the suicide
rate was increasing in western society. This phenomenon was not constant
from country to country, but showed considerable variability among some
of the western nations.

Gavan made an examination of several factors which might affect the
suicide rate or which were sometimes advanced as factors. She reached the
conclusion that climate and racial temperament "...are minor factors if
they are direct factors at all in determining the suicide rate."2"Social
factors were dominant. The customs and attitudes of national groups, the
breakdown of such customs among immigrants, the integrating effect and the
creeds of religious groups, and the conditions of- rural or urban life were

of far greater influence in determining the suicide rate.

 

1Gavan, Ruth Shonle, Suicide. Chicago: The University of Chicago
mas, 1928. pp. 3‘s.

2Gavan,gp. 232., p. 5h.

17

Of great theoretical interest is the fact that there is positive
proof of the relative absence of suicide in certain preliterate groups.

In the Caroline Islands it is reported that the natives laughed at the
mere idea of a man killing himself.1 In the Pelew Islands suicide is
regarded as the "expression of the will of a free man."2

According to Ratzel, suicide is unknown in Australia.3 Grey reported
that queries concerning suicide brought gales of laughter as the only
reply.h Dawson commented that suicide is rare and "if a native wishes to
die, and cannot get anyone to kill him, he will sometimes put himself in
the way of a venomous snake, that he may be bitten by it."

Gavan could find only one reference to suicide among the Andaman
Islanders. It stated that suicide was unknown among them until they had
come into contact with either the Europeans or Hindus.

Among preliterate groups suicides occur from personal motives and
from.institutionalized practices.

From a statistical analysis of data in Chicago, Gavan reached the
conclusion that suicide was co-incident with disorganized communities.

Her analysis of the prevalence of suicide among various groups may

be discerned from an examination of table 5.

 

1Ibid., p. 57, quoting Nestermarck, Edward. The Origin and Development

of the MOral Ideas, II, p. 230, from Von Kotzebue,‘VEZ§gg of Digcovepy into
ifiéfgduth EgST—III, p. 195. "'

21pm, p. 57, quoting Steinmetz, s. 3., "Suicide among Primitive
Pooplomrlcan Anthropologist, VII (18914), p. 53.

 

 

 

 

31bid., p. 57, quoting Ratzel, F., Histogz pg Mankind, I, p. 3116.

thid., p. 57, quoting‘wsstermarck, II, . cit., p. 2h8 from Grey,
Expeditions pf Discovegy 33 Northwest Egd'wes ern*IEStralia.

 

 

Table 5

18

CORRELATION OF SOCIAL FACTORS*

 

 

The Social Situation

Type of Social
Organization

Amount of
Prevalent Attitudes Suicide

 

Greece, before decline

Greece, decline

Rome, before fall of
Republic

Rome, period of fall
of the Republic

Middle Ages

Temporary crises in
middle ages, as plagues
Renaissance

Preliterate villages

Orient (until recently)

J Contemporary cities

Stable

Confusion of
customs and
moral codes

Stable

Confusion of
customs and
moral codes

Stable

Conflict, in-
ability to con-
harrassing of witchesptc. trol situation

Confusion of
customs and
moral code

Social needs
supersede
individual

Stable

Confusion of
customs and
moral codes

State more important Moderate
than individual

Individualism Greatly
increased

State more important Moderate
than individual

Individualism Greatly
increased

Individual belonged Very little
to God

Increased

in groups
involved

Individualism Greatly
increased

Stable Very little

Social needs super- Very little

sede individual except
where dic-
tated by
.social
custom

Individualism High

 

*Cavan,‘gp.'git., p. 106.

19
Table 5 (Continued)

Type of Social Amount of

The Social Situation Organization Prevalent Attitudes Suicide

 

V‘ Religious communities Stable Individual belongs Very little
to God; social
needs take prece-
dence

“'Rural communities Stable Tendency toward Very little
attitude of the
religious commu-
nity

 

In the second part of the book, the author treated the psychoses
accompanying suicide, described the suicide process, described incipient
suicides, quoted from the diaries of two suicides, noted Special forms of
suicide, outlined the external setting, discussed the classes of people
where disorganization prevails, and suggested some problems in the control
of suicide.

After demonstrating that suicide was a function of certain social
attitudes and was one resultant of loose social organization, Gavan pointed
out that suicide was more than a social phenomenon. It was also a personal
experience and one which could be studied from the orientation of social
psychology. The approach that Gavan used was to study adjustments which
persons attempted to make when obstacles appeared in the on-going process
of living. When these adjustments failed, theremight occur a complete
breakdown of morale and of inability to satisfy fundamental interests, and
personal disorganization or demoralization would result.

Gavan found that not all suicides were psychotic or the result of
"temporary'insanity." Of 291 suicides in Chicago in 1923, approximately

hh men and 1h women were reported insane. Of 2,211 suicides recorded by

20
the Industrial Department of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company in
1923-2h, 18.8 percent of the cases listed mental disease as a contributory
factor.1

Cavan's evidence led her to the conclusion that even among the insane
and psychopathic the suicide was usually precipitated by some real or
imagined crisis.2

In the concluding chapter of her work, Gavan discussed the problem of
the control of suicide. She has suggested that with apparently few excep-
tions, suicide in contemporary America has one connotation. It was a
symptom of the complete loss of morals, which was the result of personal
disorganization. She pointed out several facts which could be utilized in
its control. Suicide may be controlled and all but eliminated when the
social organization was maintained in fairly small, isolated, undisturbed
units. Although such small isolated groups were a means of controlling’
suicide, the technique was compatible neither with the present trend of
social life nor with present ideals of progress.

Suicide could be reduced markedly by the cultivation of attitudes
which were unfavorable to suicide. If attitudes could be develOped in the
society that would make suicide repulsive enough, suicide would not occur
as frequently. Gavan felt that while it might be possible to inculcate

such attitudes, they would not prevent disorganization of some sort from

 

'1Ibid,, p. 113.

2The latter portion of Cavan's work is treated in most cursory fashion
here because the present study does not attempt to deal with individual
cases. For more information concerning this area, the reader is referred
to Dr. Cavan's book.

21
occurring, even though it might prevent the disorganization from termi-
nating in suicide.

More practical and of more far-reaching value, she felt, would be
methods of education and training which would develop resourceful, reflec-
tive characters. She contended that the need was for certain social ideals
or aims, with the wide capacity for obtaining them. Since the problem of
disorganization would doubtless exist even with the most UtOpian educa-
tional schemes, the need for agencies and for trained psychologists and
sociologists to study, analyze and diagnose the trouble before the person
became so despondent that adjustment seemed impossible and suicide seemed
the only solution was essential.1

To these suggestions for the possible control of suicide, Beeley
adds the suggestion that the throughgoing establishment of mental hygiene
facilities in the public schools would enable the neurotic individual to
be detected at an early age. Subsequent treatment could be given and the
neuroses arrested before suicidal tendencies became actualities.2

Frederick L. Hoffman, for many years a consulting statistician for
the Prudential Life Insurance Company, compiled an interesting collection
of data dealing with suicides. His results corroborated the conclusions
of many other studies. Unfortunately, he did not know how to deal with
much of his data once he had collected it and a good deal of his analysis

was most superficial. Some of his conclusions follow:

 

1mm, pp. 325-333.

2Beeley, A. L., "Juvenile Suicide," The Social Service Review; Vd1.III
pp- 35—36. """"" """"'" '_'_

22

1. In most cases, the suicide is sane; however there is usually
evidence of a considerable degree of mental disturbance and
conflict with the social order.

2. "The underlying cause or condition which make fer suicide in
individual cases, as a rule, defy analysis or explanation,

In a measurable proportion of cases the suicide is obviously
mentally irreSponsibleland in a condition demanding restraint
on the part of the State."1

3. Suicides are more common among males than among females. The
ratio is two to three to one.

h. Rates generally increase with age.

5. No convincing evidence is available that indicates Child
suicides are increasing.

6. Suicides among Negroes in the United States are much less fre-
quent than among whites.

7. The suicide rate varies widely in different countries and for
different sections of the same country.

8. The suicide rate is always higher in cities than in rural areas.

9. Suicides in the United States are fairly well<iistributed
throughout the year and no precise effect of weather conditions
on the suicide rate is traceable with certainity.

10. "Occupation in a general way does not.appear to have a very
convincing relation to the suicide rate except in the extremes.
English statistics by professional and industrial groups show
some exceedingly striking contrasts. The highest rate in the
experience of England and Wales was met with among inn keepers
and allied employments or 6.53 during the three-year period
1910-1912 per 10,000 at ages twenty-five and over. The
lowest rate, omitting one unimportant exception, was experi-
enced by clergymen or only 1.30. we have here then convincing
evidence of the profound effect of the liquor trade on the one
hand in stimulating the:5uicidal propensity and on the other,
of religious convictions inhibiting a possible inclination to
self murder."2

11. The suicide rate is higher among Protestants than among Catholics.

12. Mere men use firearms to commit suicide than any other means.
More women use poison.3

 

1This statement is quoted in full to give the reader some idea of
Hoffman's naivete.

2This quotation is another illustration of thezquestionable kind of
conclusions at which Hoffman arrived from his analysis of suicide rates.

3Hoffman, F. L., Suicide Problems. Newark: The Prudential Press,
1927. pp. Sh-S9.

23
Dublin and Bunzel have presented an excellent statistical treatment
of suicide material in To Be or Not To 86.1 For their interpretive frame-

work they have had to rely on developments in the field of psychoanalytical
psychiatry.

These investigators reported that the foreign-born group in this
country exhibited suicide rates that differed from one country of birth
to another and from that of the native-born segment of the population.
Furthermore, the differences in rates which existed between the foreign
born populations were in general the same as those which existed between
the sudcide rates in their reapective homelands. It was indicated that
the suicide rates among the foreign-born people were higher than were the
rates in their original homelands.2 The Negro was much less prone to
suicide in this country than was the Caucasian, while the suicide rate
among other’nonswhites was high.3 Thealuthors felt that the national and
racial tendencies demonstrated were a result of the social rather than the
biological heritage of the individuals.

Although complete suicide was predominately a masculine phenomenon,

more women than men attempted suicide. Dublin and Bunzel pointed out that

 

1Dublin, Louis I. and Bunzel, Bessie. ‘23 EE 25.522 To g2. New York:
Smith and Haas, 1933. “"

2A8 the authors justly pointed out, the studies which were reported
were most crude because age and sex specific data were not used. They _
felt, however that some of the rates were so extreme that some of the
foreign groups did have higher rates.

3Dublin and Bunzel, fig. 333., pp. 32-38.

2h
it appeared that many female attempts were not entirely sincere, for they
frequently attempted suicide under conditions which made rescue a pos-
sibility or even a probability.1
Table 6 summarizes the death rates of suicides in the white and
colored races.
Table 6

SUICIDE DEATH RATES IN THE WHITE AND commas RACES]-

 

 

 

 

Males Females2

Age periods White Cblored “White Colored
l to 7h 18.8 7.8 5.6 3.5
Itch 000 0.. 000 .0.
5 to 9 ... .1 ... ...
10 to 1h .h .5 .3 .9
15 to 19 3.9 h.h ho? 5.1
20 to 2h 12.9 11.5 6.9 8.1
25 to 3h 20.1 12.2 8.6 6.2
35 to lb 31.2 13.1 8.9 h.1
h5 to 5h h3.5 12.6 9.6 2.9
55 to 6h 56.5 13.1 9.7 2.5
65 to 7h 63.h 12.5 10.2 1.2

 

Ibublin and Bunzel, 22. git.

2Deathrates per 100,000 by color, sex and age. metropolitan Life
Insurance Company. Industrial Department, 1911-1930.

The Dublin and Bunzel study considered the methods which the suicide
used to commit the act. They found that three factors were of importance
in determining the choice of the agent which the suicide would use. The
first of these was obviously the accessibility of the means. They felt
that the person moroughly determined to die would utilize any available
means which was conveniently at hand. The second factor that they felt

#4

1Ibid., pp. 39-55.

25
determined some suicides was the power of suggestion. The element which
they emphasized was the situation in which several persons used the same
location or means of committing suicide. The most important factor in the
opinion of these workers was the existence of psychological.factors that
determined not only whether a person would commit suicide but also the
means that he would employ.l

Of considerable interest because of its relation to the present
investigation was their discussion of rural-urban suicide differentials.
After a survey of suicide rates in various sections in the United States
and Europe, the authors pointed out that suicide rates have always been
far higher in cities than in rural areas. Theauthors cited many of the
same factors that other students of the problem have suggested as causative
facts. They felt that an explanation for the lower rates among rural people
may lie in such factors as the greater stability of the country family,
the lower divorce rate, the relatively few childless couples, the larger
number of children in each family, and the more unified interests, tradi-
tions, and beliefs of the farming group.

One nation in which the rural suicide rate was higher than the urban
rate was the Netherlands. Dr. Gargas, Privatdozent at the University of
Amsterdam, studied this phenomenon which differentiated suicide in the
Netherlands from most western countries. The Journal gf’thg.American
Medical Society summarized his findings:

Whereas, in most countries, the number of suicides is in direct

relation to the density of the population, the large cities present-
ing mmch higher figures than the rural districts, it is Just the

 

11b1de, pp. 69-710

26

reverse in the Netherlands. During the period from 1911 to 1920,
the rate was 6.7 per hundred thousand in the large cities of the
Netherlands, while in the cities with less than 5,000 inhabitants,
including the rural districts, the rate was 7.1 per hundred thousand.
As suicide in the rural districts affects chiefly aged persons,
Gargas considers the chief cause to be a sense of uselessness from
the economic point of view, among the rural population; and since,
of all the provinces, Friesland is the most affected, he concludes
that unfavorable family relationships and questions involving the
rights of succession play a big part. It may be added that aged
persons receive in the cities better care than they do in rural
districts.1

Concluding the chapter, the authors presented their interpretation
of rural-urban differentials. They commented:

In six out of nine countries we have considered, suicide rates
are distinctly higher among urban than among rural peoole. In the
great cities there is a multitude of conflicting social creeds,
philosophies and religions, and possible occupations; and many who
come into contact with them cannot decide which to accept, which to
reject. It is inevitable that some, disappointed and disillusioned
by the quest, will become discouraged and seek death as the only
solution. In the rural community, on the other hand, there is much
greater 3 ocial and occupational unity, greater coordination of
ideals. Persons born in the country usually either find themselves
integral functioning parts of an economic and social scheme or, if
restless and dissatisfied, tend to migrate to the city-and it is
the restless and dissatisfied who swell the list of self-inflicted
deaths. Those who remain in the country are predominantly people
whose needs are fulfilled by the rural social and economic scheme.
The resulting lack of social conflict is conducive to an emotional
stability that makes suicide relatively infrequent; and it is largely
this factor that accounts for the differences in suicide mortality.2

The writers were not willing to subscribe to either Durkheim's theory
that the cause of seasonal variation in suicide rates was the change in
the rate and intensity of social interaction or Morselli's theory that the
variation was due to the direct action of cosmic factors. They did not

offer any alternatives, but they suggested that the answer to this problem

 

1Ibid., p. 83.
2Ibido, pp. 83-81.10

27
awaited further careful accumulation and analysis of facts. For the United
States Death Registration Area for the years 1910 to 1923, the peak suicide
rate occurred in may. Beginning with June, on through the summer, autumn,
and early winter, the rate decreases until it reaches a minimum in December.
It them begins a steady increase until the peak in May.1

The writers concluded that there was no simple causal relation between
economic factors and suicide. While they recognized that economic hard-
ship could induce suicide, they pointed out that it was only one factor
among many.2

An analysis of data on marital status and suicide rates led the
authors to the following conclusions. First, less suicide occurred among
married persons of both sexes than among the single, widowed or divorced.
Second, when separated rates were available for divorced, they were found
to have a higher suicide mortality than those of any other civil status.
Third, suicide tended to be less common among the widowed than among the

single.3

B. Problems Confronted in a Sociological Analysis of Suicides

Certain methodological difficulties confront an investigator who
attempts to utilize data gathered from.death certificates to analyze
suicides. There has been a considerable difference of opinion among
various workers about the degree of validity that can be placed in suicide

statistics.

 

1Ibid., pp. 85-92.
zIbide, pp. 93-109.
3Ibid., pp. 125-l3u.

28
-Durkheim considered the information given by the statistics on the
assumed reasons for suicide as most unreliable and practically meaningless.
His reasons for dismissing the assumed reasons were twofold. First, the
enumeration was usually made by untrained clerks in the office of vital
statistics who were known to be lax in ascribing the proper cause to such
a complex phenomenon. Second, the motives tO‘WhiCh suicides ascribed
their acts were unreliable.1
Gregory Zilboorg, a noted psychoanalyst, has recently gone even
farther and has pointed out the inadequacy of suicide statistics generally.
He stated:
... Statistical data on suicides as they are compiled today
deserve little if any credence; it has been repeatedly pointed out
by scientific students of the problem that suicide cannot be subject
to statistical evaluation, since all too many suicides are not re-
ported as such. Those who kill themselves through automobile acci-
dents are almost never recorded as suicides; those who sustain
serious injuries during an attempt to commit suicide and die weeks
' or months later of these injuries or of intercurrent infections are
never registered as suicides;2 a great many genuine suicides are
concealed by families; and suicidal attempts, no matter how serious,
never find their way into the tables of vital statistics. It is
obvious that under these circumstances the statistical data avail-
able cover the smallest and probably the least representative
number of suicides; one is justified, therefore, in discarding
them as nearly useless in a scientific evaluation of the problem.3
If one is willing to accept the judgment of this observer, it is
obvious that it will be impossible to conduct any meaningful statistical
studies that will contribute to the understanding of the problem of suicides.

However, it would appear that the author has been too free in his blanket

 

lDurkheim,‘gp.‘git., pp. le-lSl.

21a the state of Michigan, persons who attempt suicide and later die
from the injuries are recorded as suicides.

3Zilboorg, Gregory. "Suicide Among Civilized and Primitive Races,"
American Journal 2f Psychiatry, Volume XCII. (1935-36).

 

29
rejection of the utility of statistical data in suicide studies. He offers
no evidence whatsoever to validate his conclusion that "It is obvious that
under these circumstances the statistical data available cover the small-
est and probably the least representative number of suicides.” It is not
obvious at all. While it is undoubtedly true that the data do not include
all cases of suicide, it does not follow that the sample available is
unrepresentative of the universe. It may well be that such a selective fact-
or is at work, but whether it would drastically color the conclusions to be
developed from a statistical analysis is certainly questionable.

Some other students who have worked in this area have made obser-
vations concerning the validity of the data which contradict Zilboorg
sharply.

Calvin Schmid, who has made studies of suicides in Seattle, Minneapolis,
and the Pittsburgh areas, commented that he felt that from the examination
of several thousand death certifications it was evident that there was a
common source of error in the classification of suicide deaths because of
the precautions for concealment undertaken by relatives or friends. He
stated, however, that when one analyzed a large body of data this "...error
appears to be of negligible importance so far as affecting any general
statistical conclusions which might be induced. "1

F. 1.. Hoffman commented:

It is my own judgment, based upon a careful study of the
subject for many years, that the number of suicides is somewhat

¥

3 ISchmid, c. 3.. Suicides Ln §eattle, 191s _t_o_ 1225: pp Ecological g;
pairifiori 81310 m. Seattle: The University of Washington Press, 1928.

m -——-.,..

“Ma- -

30
larger than is1 indicated by the record, but the margin is not
likely to be sufficient to invalidate general conclusions.2
0 . Proposed Theoretical Orientation in This Study
In the analysis of the data for Michigan, the present writer prOposes
the following theoretical orientation and makes the following assumptions.
It is assumed that a statistical analysis of suicide data is mean-
ingful. This worker does not agree with Zilboorg's contention that the
dataaze most inadequate. In many instances, certain information is
lacking. However, it is felt that the information on suicides available
at the Michigan Department of Health includes most suicides that were
committed. Some cases of suicide have doubtless been concealed. m the
other hand it is not felt that these factors will drastically affect the
conclusions which the present study reaches.
Suicide is considered to be the result of personal disorganization.
This type of suicide is highly individualized and differs sharply from the
institutionalized suicides of the Orient. Obviously, it is the only type
practiced in Michigan since the social milieu does not sanction any type of
ritualistic suicide.
Various factors which may contribute to this personal disorganization
"111 be isolated and the suicide rate for each isolated group will be
dateI'llllll'led. Indices such as rural vs. urban residence, occupation, race,
a”: 389, and place of birth will be utilized to indicate the relative
Effects of the various factors on the suicide rate.
\
l’rhe text reads "as." It appears the author means "is."

2
Hoffman, 32. 33., p. 229.

31

It is recognized that no absolute etiology can result from this study.
The level of abstraction is above that of the individual case history level.
If any complete etiology is to be developed, the individual case must be
analyzed. However, an indication of the type of conditions which foster
suicidal tendencies will be of great aid to the psychologist who attempts
to analyze individual cases. 01' prime importance in further research in
this area is the integration of individual case history studies with
statistical work.

This study will contribute to our understanding of the subject in
three ways. First, it will indicate the extent of the phenomenon in
Michigan. Second, it will indicate those groups in society which are par-
ticularly susceptible to suicide.1 Third, by utilizing the data on several

variables, those kinds of conditions which tend to promote suicide may be
inferred.

\

utilize da
fore, that

in

1‘11? program designed to alleviate the number of suicides should
ta such as these in planning their approach. It is felt, there-
thi these data will be of considerable value to persons involved

a type of planning.

CHAPTER II

C

FETHOD OF MAKING POPULATION ESTIMATES
A. Introduction
In this study, it was necessary to have reliable pOpulation
estimates for Michigan. The data cover the period 1945-1949 so the base

period selected for Michigan population estimates was July 1, 1947. This

decision meant that the a priori assumption was made that the pOpulation

— -——.

 

change during the five year period was linear. Although exnerience would
indicate that this assumption was reasonable, no absolute theoretical
Vindication of this decision was possible.

Complete census material from the 1940 census was available.
However, only preliminary reports from the 1950 census were available at
the time this study was made. It was necessary, therefore, utilizing the
1940 returns and only the barest 1950 figures, to make population estimates
for July 1, 1947. No effort was made by the investigator to defend dog-
matically his decision in making the estimates. All that was claimed was
that the estimates appear reasonable, that there appear to be some internal
Checks on consistency, and that these figures could he used with consider-
able accuracy in computing rates since this study was interested in relative
differences between various groups. In most cases, small errors in rates

Will not materially affect the comparisons.

B. Computation of Overall POpulation Estimates
The following sources of information were utilized in making
PopulatiOn estimates: 1) The final reports of the 1940 census, 2) The

r ' o
P ellmlnary reports of the 1950 census, 5) POpulation estimates made by

52

. 33
the Bureau of Records and Statistics of the Michigan Department of Health.

The total population of the state July 1, 19117. according to estimates
made by the Bureau of Records and Statistics of the Michigan Department of
Health was 6,069,000. The total population according to an estimate made
by linear interpolation of 19h0 final and 1950 preliminary census reports
for Michigan was 6,092,000. The difference of less than one part in two
hundred would give confidence in the method of interpolation which is used
extensively on other specific data for which estimates by the Michigan
Department of Health were not made .

The rural population on July 1, 1914?, according to estimates of the
Michigan Department of Health, was 2,056,008. The urban population was
catimted at 14,012,992. No estimate could be made from census material
because the definition of urban and rural residence for the 191:0 and 1950
censuses was not comparable.

All other estimates of population were computed from census data

because no other information was available from the Michigan Department
of Health.

C. Computation of Estimates of Foreign-born,
by Age and Sex

N0 information concerning the foreign-born population was available
rm“ the 1950 census when the estimates were made. Consequently, it was
“‘3“st to make all the estimates from 19140 census material. N0 inter-
”hum was possible.

The 1‘ allowing technique was used. The number of foreign-hem persons
in Michigan by age and sex, for 19140 and l930'were used to obtain estimates

f
or u” 1950 figures. From these figures, the estimates for 1947 were
”apnea.

3h

It was assumed that the same migration occurred between 19h0 and 1950
as between 1930 and l9h0. It was further assumed that the death rates be-
tween l9h0 and 1950 were the same as between 1930 and 19140.1 The ratio of
comparable age periods for 1930 and l9h0 was computed. This ratio multi-
plied by the number in one five year age bracket provided an estimate of
the number of persons in the age bracket ten years higher in 1950.

After the estimated population for 1950 had been obtained, it was
necessary to estimate the 19h? foreignéborn population by age and sex. It
was assumed that the age group A, for example, in 19h? was composed of
three-fifths of age group B, those in the age group five years older in
1950, and two-fifths in same age group in 19h? and 1950. The final step
was a corrective term which was applied to account for the change in number
between 19M and 1950. It amounted to one-fourth of the ratio 1930-191.0.
The product of this multiplier times the 1950 estimate added to 1950 rate
was used to give estimates of the 19h? number.

For groups above the age of 70 this method collapses. Estimates were
made by examination of the 19h0 numbers of those ages and an estimate by'
inspection of the approximate 19h? figures. Obviously, these figures
should.not be considered as reliable as those which could be estimated by
a more direct means.

The same technique was used to compute the number of urban foreign-
born migrants by age and sex. The number of rural foreign-born persons
was computed by taking the difference between the total number of foreign-

born groups and the urban foreign-born groups.

 

1This assumption was more valid in the higher age brackets, where
most of the foreign-born were found.

35

D. Computation of Estimates of Nondwhite Population
of Michigan by Age and Sex

The most difficult and least reliable of the estimates were those
which deal with the nondwhite population. The 19h0 and 1950 census reports
indicate that the number of nonawhites in Michigan increased 108.8 percent
during the ten-year period.1 A great deal of the increase was due to
migration. No information was available which would indicate the age dis—
tribution.of Negro migrants during the period. Most probably were of work-
ing age, 20 to 65.

It was decided to assume that the age distribution in 19b? was the
same percentagedwise as it was in 19h0. It was also assumed that the
growth in the nondwhite segment of the population during the period from
19h0 to 1950 was linear. Both of these assumptions were probably in some
error. However, some estimates had to be made and no better method could
be developed with the limited data at hand. Using these two values, the
age and sex specific tables were computed.

E. Computation of Estimates of the Native White
Population of Michigan by Age and Sex

The white population of Michigan for July 1, 19h7'was estimated by
subtracting the number of estimated nondwhites from the estimated total
population for 19h7. The estimated number of each sex was determined by
interpolation of 19h0 and 1950 census data. The native white population
was determined by subtracting the estimated number of foreign-born white

from estimated number of whites.

 

10. 3. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1950 Census of

Potion, Preliminary Reports; Characteristics of Popular mh chi—gen,
$12—50. Elias m2, N 0 mp0 9.

 

36

The preliminary 1950 census data for Michigan gave age distribution
by sex for the entire population. The 19h0 final census reports gave the
age distribution of the native white by sex. From these data estimates of
the native white population by age and sex for 19h? were made. Usually an
interpolation between 19h0 and 1950 figures was used. In the older age
groups, the 1950 percentage was increased by the large number of foreign-
born persons in these groups. In these cases, arbitrary estimates were
made. Since these estimates were always made between two established
limits it is highly improbable that they were in error more than five per-
cent. The number in each age group in 19h? was estimated by multiplying
the estimated percentage in 19h? by the estimated number of native whites
of each sex in 19h7.

The same procedure was employed for estimating the number of urban
males and females. The estimated number of rural males and females in
each age bracket was obtained by subtracting the estimated number of males
and females in each age group from the estimated number of urban males and

females in each age group.

F. Estimation of Population by Occupation, by Sex, 19h?
Interpolation between 19h0 and 1950 census figures were used to
estimate the number of workers in various occupations in 19h7.‘
G. Estimation of Marital Status of Population
Fourteen and Over, by Sex, 19h?
Interpolation between 19h0 and 1950 census figures were used to

estimate the marital status of the adult population in 1910.1

 

1For detailed computations see Appendix A.

CHAPTER III

ANALYSIS OF MICHIGAN SUICIDE DATA, 1945—1949.

A. Introduction

The data presented in Chapter I indicated that theoretical and
empirical observations show urban suicide rates to be generally higher
in contemporary western countries than rural suicide rates. In Michigan
the situation is reversed. In the period under study, 1945-1949, the
death rate from suicides per 100,000 pOpulation in Michigan was 10.2.
The urban rate was only 9.2 while the rural rate was 11.7. In this
Chapter, data from the Michigan Department of Healthcme analyzed to
determine what factors produce this infrequent situation in Michigan.
Other suicide data is also produced which provide one with information

concerning the phenomenon.

B. Collection and Analysis of Data

The data in this study were collected from information available on
the death certificates of suicides filed in the Bureau of Records and
Statistics of the Michigan Department of Health. The data were recorded
on IBM cards and analyzed by machine methods. The death certificates of
suicide victims contained the following information which were utilised
in this study: Place of occurrence, place of residence, age, sex, race,
marital status, age of mate if alive, place of death, date of death,
method used in committing suicide, veteran status, township of death,
length of stay 1% community prior to death, birthplace, birthplace of
father, birthplace of mother, occupation, disposition of body on death,

and in the case of removals, the place to which the body was removed.

57

58
From this information it was attempted to determine those variables which
nmst affected the suicide rate. It has been found that the four variables
which most drastically affect the suicide rate in most western countries
are sex, place of residence, age and race. In this study, these variables
have been controlled whenever possible and the effect of other concomitant

variables has been observed.1

I

~ Any differential in the sex and racial composition of rural and
urbaxtareas should affect the suicide rate in the regions considered. In
ume study the suicide rates for rural and urban areas have been compared
in.zxn effort to determine the reason for the higher rural suicide rate in
the state.
The following breakdowns of the data were made:

1. Age, race, marital status, place of death, date of death, means
of death, veteran status, length of stay in the community, birth-
place of father, birthplace of mother, occupation, disposition
of body, and place of removal of body according to sex, residence,
and birthplace of the suicide.

2. Age, marital status, place of death, date of death, means of
death, veteran status, length of stay in the community, birth-
place, birthplace of father, birthplace of mother, occupation,
disposition of body, and place of removal of body by residence
sex and race.

5. Race, marital status, place of death, date of death, means of
death, veteran status, length of stay in the community, birth-
place, birthplace of father, birthplace of mother, occupation,
disposition of body, and place of removal of body by age,
residence and sex.

43 Age, sex, marital status, place of death, date of death, race,
means of death, veteran status, length of stay in the community,
birthplace, birthplace of father, birthplace of mother, disposi-
tion of body, and place of removal of body by occupation.

K

J.
The very small number of non-white suicides rlMichigan during the
f‘ive year period means that the rates and percentages given for the

‘“’}lite population reflects the conditions for the entire population
Very closely.

59

The complete tables have been reproduced in Appendix B. The inter-
ested reader may refer to that appendix for the source of the data which
were used in the tables in the body of the study and for additional infor-

mation which has not been utilized in the body of the study.1

0. Presentation and Analysis of Data

The suicide rate for Michigan and for the nation has decreased since
1940. The primary causes are twofold. First, the nation was engaged in
a period of warfare during most of the time. It has been repeatedly
observed that the suicide rate drops during periods of national crisis.
Although the reason has not been definitely established, some workers
have suggested that the feeling of unity and solidarity often characteris-
tic of such a period reduces the intensity of personal problems which
induce suicide.2 The second factor that has affected the suicide rate
during this period has been the tremendous increase in the number of young
Persons in the population. It has been shown that suicide is primarily a
function of middle and old age. The introduction of many young people into
the pOpulation increases the size of the pOpulation base from which the
crude death rate from suicide is computed, but does not increase the number

of suicides. Consequently, the suicide rate is decreased.

v—

1 The figures which are used in this study and those of the Michigan
Department of Health do not correspond exactly. The reason for the
difference is the fact that non-residents of Michigan are not included
in most of the data presented in the study.

See Durkheim and Dublin and Bunzel for elaboration on this point.

D. Rural-Urban Differentials

In Michigan the rural death rate from suicide is higher than the

..-'— — r -

urban death rate. This condition is not common to the entire nation.
The” crude suicide rate in Michigan during the period from 1945 through
1949 for rural and urban areas was given in the introduction of this ‘
chapter. Table 7 shows the crude suicide rate in Michigan by residence
and sex. It will be observed that the most unique fact in the table is
the very high rural male death rate. The female death rate is slightly
lower in the country than in urban areas.

Age specific suicide rates are indicated in Table 8. An examination
of these data indicates that the rural-urban differential in Michigan can-
not be explained by differences in the age and sex composition of the rural
and urban areas. The rural death rate among males is consistently higher
for almost all age groups. For females, the rates do not vary greatly
between the rural and urban groups.

Tables 9, 10, and 11 present age and sex specific rates for the native-
born whites and the foreign-born group. These data show that the rural-
urban differential in suicide rates cannot be explained on the basis of
differences in birthplace. While the native-born persons have significantly
lower death rates from suicide than do the foreign-born segment of the
Population, the data do not reveal that the rural suicide rates in Michigan

for either the native or foreign-born white males is lower than the urban
rate for corresponding age groups.

From the data that have been presented, it is apparent that no

hypothesis attributing the rural-urban differentials in Michigan to unique I/

a
ge, Sex or nativity conditions in Michigan can be validated. The

Table 7

41

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY RESIDENCE AND SEX ~ 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Rural
All 10.2 2 11.7
Male 14.7 6 422.0-
Female 4.7 7 405

Table 8
SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY AGE, RESIDENCE, AND SEX
Rural Urban
Age Male Female Male Female
11g~l4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
~19 5.5 0.9 2.5 94

20-24 1‘3 '3 6.6 5.8

25-29 19.2 5.5 8.8 4.7

5064 18.8 5.0 11.4 5.5

5569 29.4 4.5 15.1 6.8

2041+ 29.5 875 17.8 8.0
5-49 20.9 10.0 19.2 8.8

50-54 21.8 14.2 22.7 10.2

5559 47.7 10.0 29.7 14.5

(3044 45.0 11.9 52.7 10.5
5~69 60.6 6.9 52.1 11.5

79-7# 52.9 17:75 52.4 ,11 . 1

73 eLnd over 47.9 10.2 42.5 9.1

\

Note, Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

42

Table 9

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY RESIDENCE, SEX AND ACE FOR NATIVE—BORN WHITES

 

 

 

. Rural Urban
Age Male Female Male Female
10-14 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
1549 2.2122 ii! 2.9 9:21
20-24 15.2 Ll 7.2 .7
25-29 19.6 21 9.8 4.7
50-54 19.2 _._7 12.9 5.8
55—59 50.2 g 16.2 6.7
40-44 27.9 2.9 18.9 7.7
45-49 21.6 8.5 18.8 8.0
50-54 20.5 15.8 18.4 10.6
55-59 45.4 8.9 22.2 14.5
60-64 58.9 15,1 25.9 11.6
65-69 50.4 9.2% 19.6 10.5
70-74 46.7 12. 51.2 2...;
75 and over 41.4 10,0 55.2 £3.29.

 

 

Note: Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

Table 10

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945.1949,
BY RESIDENCE AND AGE FOR FOREIGN-BORN MALES

H
I

 

Age Rural Urban
15-19 0.0 0.0
20- 21. 0.0 _5_._g
25-29 0.0 1 .
50-54 10.0 15.0
55~59 25.5 18.5
4o~44 44.0 19.0

5.49 14. 25.6
50-54 2 .9 55.8
55—59 52.7 44. 1

50—64 49.1 48.5
55~69 80.0 64.7

Table 10 (Continued)

45

 

 

 

Age Rural Urban
70-74 7609 5500
75 and over 67.11L 56.4

 

Note: Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

Table 11

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,

BY RESIDENCE AND AGE FOR FOREIGN—BORN FEMALES

 

 

 

Ase Rural Urban
15-24 0.0 0.0
ggfifi 10.0 2.4

- 20.0 251
45-5u1 15.5 11.5
55454 12 O 11.5
65.74 11:6 14,].
75 and over 11.1 10,0

 

Note: Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

‘ J
o ..., 44
.‘F I
i
.5

phenomenon is a fact; contrary to _a_ priori eXpectations, the rural suicide
rate in Michigan is higher than the urban for all male segments of the
p'Opulation. While a few, age groups may demonstrate the reverse situation,
mthe majority of all male age groups indicate higher rural rates. For
females, the evidence is inconclusive. It indicates that the rates are

I
about equal. This condition is reflected in the crude suicide rates for

females in Michigan.1 ‘

An examination of suicide rates by occupation is given in Table 12.
Unfortunately, desired base population data for occupational classifications
is unavailable. The only information which the'census has listed is the
number of males and females in the specified occupations. No age distri-
bution, which is essential for a meaningful suicide analysis, is available.
However, the rates may be of some value in indicating the relative rates
between occupations. Twenty-five percent of the death certificates listed
either no information on occupation or such scanty information that it was
inpossible to classify the occupation.

Farmers exhibit suicide rates almost twice as high as male service V!"
Workers, who have the second highest rate. Table 15 indicates that farmers
113176 a higher percentage of suicides in the higher age brackets than most
other occupations:2 This situation suggests three factors affecting the

high rate among farmers. First, the age distribution of farmers shows

more older workers in the occupation. Second, more retired farmers are

\

l .
See Table 7, page 41.
2 For the age distribution of other occupations, see Appendix B.

III...

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY OCCUPATION AND SEX

' Table 12

45

ll

 

Occupation Males Female
Professional and semiprofessional 16.2 .4.6
Farmers and farm managers 55.6 0.0
PrOprietors, managers, and officials 18.8 ,5g5
Clerical, sales, and kindred 15.9 5.6
Craftsmen, foremen, operatives and kindred

workers 15.9 ,g;§
Service workers 50.5 4.5
Farm laborers 14.5 0.0
Other laborers 25.2 0.0

 

Note:

Age Percent
10-14 0.0
15— 19 0 .5
20-24 273
2529 a
50-54 5.5
55—59 E?
40-44 6.5
45-49 5.1.6.
50-54 7.1
55-59 12.5
60-64 15.1
65—69 15.4
70-74 14.0
75 and over 15.1

\

Note;

AGE DISTRIBUTION OF FARMERS WHO COMMITTED SUICIDE

Table 15

Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

,IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, IN PERCENT

W

 

 

 

IDESIrcentages for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

46

listed as "farmers" by recorders who complete the death certificate than
are retired workers in other occupations. Third, the occupation is easy
to catergorize; hence, it is highly probable that a higher percentage of
those persons who engage in the occupation are pr0perly classified. In
the light of these considerations, it would seem unwise to make final
judgement on the basis of these figures. Further investigation of this
problem is necessary.

Table 14 indicates the occupational breakdown of white males by res-
idence. Of considerable interest is the fact that only thirty-two percent
of the rural whites were farmers. Another three percent were listed as
farm laborers. Therefore, only about one-third of those males who lived
in rural areas were engaged in occupations directly related to rural life.
Most of the other two-thirds of the rural whites were engaged in occupations
which were urban orientated. Houser and Beegle have suggested that the .
high suicide rate of rural males is derived from the frustration and
personal disorganization which has resulted from the conflicting values of
rural and urban life. Their study showed "...that suicides in.Michigan are
concentrated in the agricultural counties of southern Michigan, in two
Counties of the thumb area, in a cluster of western coastal counties in ‘j'
themiddle part of the lower peninsula, and in the western half of the
upper- peninsula,"1 They offered the hypothesis that the frustration.and

Personal disorganization which have resulted from the conflict in rural-

\ ...-... ___l _ - _ ._ V‘s.-‘

 

 

IHouser, Paul M. and Beegle, J. Allan. Mortality Differential§_in
iMichigan. East Lansing: Michigan State College Agricultural Experi-
ment Station Bulletin 567, 1951. pp. 54-56.

Table 14

OCCUPATION DISTRIBUTION OF WHITE SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY RESIDENCE IN PERCENT

 

 

Occupation Rural Urban

 

Professional and semiprofessional 2,0_ 4.6
Farmers and farm.managers 52.0 1.8
Proprietors, managers and officials 5.4 7.4
Clerical, sales and kindred workers 5.5 7.5
Craftsmen, foremen, operative and kindred

workers 19.8 54.1
Service workers 2.7 8.0
Farm.1aborers 2.9 942.
Other laborers 7.0 4.0
Students .lil lag
Not ascertainable 18.0 25.0
Retired 5.7 8.2

Note: Percentages for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

48

urban ideals has been most severe among farmers whose rural way of life

had been the most satisfying and consequently the most idealized.
In the light of the occupational data that have been presented in

this study, it would appear that this explanation of the phenomenon is

only partial. The data would suggest that not only has the farmer experi-

enced a conflict in values which has led to frustrations and personal ,"-’
disorganization, but that mam! rural residents who commit suicide are

Actually urban-oriented in terms of occupational pursuits. Fringe dwellers

swell the rural suicide rate. Many of the forces which affect their decision

§9___ commit suicide probably originate in the urban environment.1

E. Effects of Migration on Suicide Rates

The problem of analyzing Michigan population data to determine the
ef‘fects of migration upon suicide rates presentssome difficulties. The

Float serious difficulty is the fact that it is impossible to assess the

SH?litawtixemcharacztermof“the migrants to Michigan. One could posit the '

theory that those who migrated represented the portion in the population
with the most initiative and the group that was best able to make adjust-
mSnts in a changing environment. On the other hand, it could be suggested "7
that the group that migrated was that portion of the population that had

failed to adjust to its environment and who had failed to earn a living

in the home environs; In this study, no effort is made to assessthe

merit of the two theories.

\

1 No sociological analysis which utilized demographic data exclusively
can make an absolute determination of these factors. Interrelation of
demographic data and psychoanalytic data on suicide is needed.

..." ,- 7 3’

49

Tables 15 and 16 present the results of an analysis of the death

rates of foreign and native-born whites. For both urban and rural

males the suicide rate for foreign-born pOpulation is considerably higher

than the corresponding rate for native white males. For females the rate

differential is not as conclusive, but it does appear that the foreign-
borrlpersons exhibit slightly higher rates than do the native whites.
As has been suggested, at least two explanations of this phenomenon

S

are possible. The first theory would suggest that the foreign-born persons

Who migrated to Michigan were maladjusted and were economically unsuccess—
ful in their homeland and were more suscep‘fible to suicidal tendencies.

The second theory, and the one which would seem more plausible, would sug-
gest that the migrant has to make a greater number of adjustments than the
native-born person. He is subjected to a foreign culture with a resulting.

coI‘Lflict of values. Old modes of behavior must be discarded in favor of

Patterns which are accepted in Michigan. Idealized behavior patterns of his

native country are not acceptable in the United States. The resulting

frustration and personal disorganization that result could induce higher
Suicide rates. It may be that the aged foreign-born person feels a deeper
8tense of failure in the event that he has failed to achieve his life goals

Since he had made a major Change in habitat. in the hOpe of improving his

8“foetus. Both hypotheses appear to offer a partial explanation of the
Phenomenon.

F. Means Suicides Employ to Kill Themselves,

As Dublin and Bunzel have pointed out, three factors are considerably
imPor‘tant in determining the choice of the method that the suicide uses.

They are l) the accessibility of the means, 2) the power of suggestion,

‘

Table 15

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY AGE, NATIVIIY AND RdSIDEHCE FOR WHIlE MALES

“-— N- - --- .-—— —_

 

 

 

 

Native Foreign

Age Rural Urban Rural Urban
10-14 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
15-19 5541+ 2.9 0.0 0.0
20-24 15.2 7.2 0.0 2.9
25-29 19.6 9.8 0.0 15.5
50-54 19.2 123.9 10.0 3.9
55-59 50.2 1 .2 2 . 18.2
1b—414 27.9 18.9 44.0 19.0
45JH9 21.6 18.8 14. 25.6
50-54 20.5 18.4 3.5}..2 55.8
55-59 45.4 22.2 52.7 “1.1
60-64 58.9 25.9 49.1 48.5
65-69 50.4 19.6 80.0 64.7
70474- 46.7 51.2 76.9 55.0
75 and over 41.4 56.2 67.4 56.4

Note:

Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

51

Table 16

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY AGE AND NATIVITY OF FEMALES

 

 

 

 

Native Foreign

Age Rural Urban Age Rural Urban
10-14 0.0 0.0

15-19 _1_.f+_ $37.1 15—24 0.0 0.0
20-24 .5;; .7
25.29 £1 4.7 25-54 . ___10.0 2J1
50-34 __-_7_ 5.8
55-59 _2_._2 6.7 55—44 20.0 2.1
10-1#+ ggg 7.7
45-49 8.5 8.0 45—54 1 . 11.5
50-54 15.8 10.6
55—60 {3.12 14.5 55_64 _1_2_._g 11.5
60-64 15.1 11.6
65—69 ggg 10.5 65474 14.0 14.1
70-74 12.2 2_1
75 and over 10.0 §___(_)_ 75 and over 11.1 10.0

 

Note:

Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

52 “-

and 5) the psychological set of the individual.1

Tables 17, 18, and 19 present data on the cause of death for suicides.
For white males, the use of firearms and eXplosives is the favorite way of
killing one's self in both rural and urban areas. However, about twenty
percent more rural white males kill themselves in this manner than do
urban white males. Seventy-two percent more urban white males than rural
white males end their own life by using poison. About the same percent of
each group either hang or strangle themselves. This method is. the second
most used in both groups. Six times as many urban white males as rural
commit suicide by jumping from high places. For white females, hanging
or strangulation is the favorite method of both the urban and rural segments
of the population. About one-third of the white females in both groups
used this means. The second most popular means for urban white females
was the use of poisons. It was used almost as frequently as was hanging or
strangulation. Firearms and poison were the means employed by the second
largest number of rural white females. One-fourth of the rural white
female suicides used each of these means. Only one-eighth of the urban
White females used firearms.

A comparison of white urban residents by sex indicated that almost
three times as many men as women used firearms or explosives to kill them-

591V88.2 The use of firearms was the favorite masculine weapon while

 

K
See pages 24—25.

It should be pointed out that this discussion refers to percentage
and not to absolute numbers. Since there are 1,515 urban white males
8413‘: only 445 urban white females and 957 rural white males as compared
with 256 rural white males, the absolute number of male suicides is

higher in most categories.

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, BY RESIDENCE
AND CAUSE IN PERCENT

Table 17

55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rural

Cause Male Female Female

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 4.6 22.0 7.5 25.5

Poisonous gases 5.4 5.0 9.7 8.1

Hanging or strangulation 25.5 52.7 I 28.9 55.7

Drowning 2.2 9.7 5.9 8.5

Firearms and explosives 55.4 25.1 556.4 15.5

(hitting or piercing instruments 4.7 4.2 4.8 4.5

Jumping 0.6 0.0 5.6 5.3

Crushing 0.8 0.8 1.8 1.6

Other or not ascertainable 1.0 2.5 1.4 0.9

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0

Table 15
SUICIDES 0F MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949:
BY RACE AND CAUSE IN PERCENT
E
Cause White Negro
\

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 7.5 10.8
oisonous gases 9.7 0.0
nging or strangulation 28.9 10.8
l‘owning 5.9 15.4
Firearms and explosives 56.4 46.1
Qutting or piercing instruments 4.8 7.7
Jumping 5.6 4.6
Crushing 1.8 5.1
other or not ascertainable 1.4 1.5

Table 19

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY NATIVITY,MEANS
SEX AND RESIDENCE IN PERCENT

54

 

 

Male

 

 

Born in U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign born outside Michigan
Means Michigan
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Poisoning 5.8 5.0 8.2 11.5 5.5 6.6
POisonous gases 4.5 5.5 8.2 8.2 4.9 12.9
Hanging er~
strangulation 40.5 42.4 18.4 21.1 22.0 25.6
Drowning 5.8 8.4 1.0 5.9 1.9 4.8
Firearms and
explosives 57.5 25.5 59.7 59.4 61.2 44.5
Cutting instruments 6.6 6.0 2.0 6.1 4.4 2.8
Jumping 0.5 5.0 0.5 4.5 0.7 1.5
Crushing 1.6 0.8 1.0 2.1 0.5 2.2
other or not
ascertainable 1.6 1.8 1.0 1.2 0.9 1.1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Means Michigan
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Poisoning 17.7 18.9 27.5 28.1 20.4 25.7
Poisonous gases 5.1 5.7 6.1 6.9 0.8 9.8
anging or
strangulation 48.7 41.6 24.2 28.8 51.8 50.9
{owning 10.2 9.4 5.0 7.5 12.9 9.5
Fll‘earms and
explosives 10.2 6.6 54.9 16.9 25.0 16-0
utting instruments 2.7 6.6 5.0 2.5 5-5 4.2
umping 0.0 9.4 0.0 5.6 0.0 4.6
Crushing 2.7 0.9 0.0 2.5 0.8 1.0
ther or not
ascertainable 2.7 0.9 1.5 1.2 5.0 0.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
\

 

55

hanging or strangulation was the most used feminine means. Almost twice
as many women as men used poison. For rural white residents, slightly more

than twice as many males as females used firearms or explosives. The

second most used means by the males was hanging or strangulation. This

method was the most popular among rural females. One-fourth of the males

and one-third of the females employed this technique. One-fourth of the

females used poison while only one-tenth of the males used this device.
The data for urban male residents by race is rather inconclusive.

The small number of Negroes in the sample indicates that the observed

differences should be examined with reserve.

’

Table 19 presents comparison of the means employed by the foreign-
born and the native-white segments of the population by sex and residence.
The favorite method of the foreign-born group was hanging or strangulation.
Slightly over forty percent of the foreign-born males and females selected
this device. For native-born males firearms and eXplosives were chosen
most often. Rural-urban differences are similar to those which existed
for the total pOpulation.

It would appear that the cultural milieu is most influential in

dé‘bermining the method that the suicide employed to commit the act. The

eVidence that has been presented shows considerable differences between the

1‘Viral and urban areas, between the sexes, and between those persons of

Initive birth and those persons of foreign birth. It would appear improb-

a ble that the observed differences between the groups could be explained on
the basis of different motivation for the act. Such differences could

better be explained on the basis of the devices that were readily available.

me higher percentage of deaths by firearms and explosives in rural areas

v;

56

can best be explained by the fact that probably more rural people than

urban peOple own guns. The higher urban rates from poison, and partic-

ularly from poisonous gases, probably is a function of its greater acces-

sibility in urban areas. Similar explanations can account for the

siggiificant differences between the two areas.
Such an hypothesis also accounts for the difference between the sexes

and between the native-born and foreign-born groups. These differences

may be accounted for by the differences in the culture in which the inc‘i- ,

vidual develOped or by differences in the role which. the individual plays

in the society .

G. Date of Death of Suicide

In Chapter I it was shown that the suicide rate has been found to

Vary with the season of the year. Most of the empirical work done in this

area has been confined to either an analysis of the percent of suicides in

each month by sex or by residence or both. In this study, these analyses

have been made. A further analysis by birthplace and age of the suicide

has been made in an effort to determine whether cultural or physical

corlditions were most responsible for the fluctuation.1

The results of these analyses are shown in Tables 20, 21, 22, and 25.
In all of the classifications except rural foreign—born females, which is

a Very small sample, the rural suicide rate varies more sharply with the

Sea eon than the urban rate. Since rural people are more directly related

to changing weather conditions and since their activity is most affected

\

1 See also pages 75-78.

57

Table 20

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY SEX
AND DATE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Urban

Date of Death Male Female Male Female

January 5.8 7.6 8.9 6-5

February 7.0 4.2 7.2 5.6

March 10.0 10.2 10.2 9.2

April 10.7 10.2 8.5 8.1

May 9.8 8.5 8.7 9.2

June 10.5 8.1 8.8 11.7

July 7.9 8.9 8.9 8.1

August 7.1 8.5 7.2 10.6

September 7.0 6.8 8.1 9.2

October 9.9 9.5 8.8 8.5

November 6.7 11.5 6.4 7.2
December 7.8 6.4 8.5 6.5

0
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Table 21
SUICIDES 0F MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
BY RACE AND DATE OF OCCURRENCE IN PERCENT
§
Date of Death White Negro
\

‘Taamuary 8.9 16.9
February 7.2 6.2
rch 10.2 4.6
April 8.5 4.6
May 8.7 9.2
June 8.8 707
July &9 92
August 7.2 15-8
September 8.1 6.2
Qtober 8.8 6.2
Ovember 6.4 4.6
ecember 8.5 10.8
Total 100.0 100.0

\

\

58

Table 22

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949. BY SEx, RESIDENCE,

BIRTHPLACE AND DATE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

 

 

Ma 1 e

 

 

Born in U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign born outside Michigan
Date of death Michigan
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban

January 5.5 8.9 6.6 9.8 6.5 9.2

February 6.6 8.4 8.2 6.8 6.9 6.6

March 9.8 10.6 14.9 10.5 8.6 7.8

April 12.6 8.4 7.6 8.5 11.2 7.5

May 9.5 9.5 9.7 9.0 9.8 8.0

June 14.1 9.2 10.2 9.0 8.8 8.2

July 9.5 12.5 8.2 7.4 7.0 8.2

AuEUSt 6.6 6.8 506 605 709 902

September 4.5 7.9 4.6 7.9 8.5 7.5

October 8.2 7.6 10.2 8.1 10.2 10.4

November 10.4 4.7 6.6 6.6 5.8 7.8

Deeember 5.5 5.5 7.6 10.1 9.0 9.6

Total 100 .0 100 .0 100 .0 100 .0 100 .0 100 .0
Eaaals
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Date of death Michigan
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban

\

Janusry 7.7 2.8 4.5 9.5 9.8 5.7
ebruary 2.6 2.8 4.5 6.9 4.6 6.2
arch 10.2 9.4 10.6 9.4 9.8 9.8

April 5.1 5.7 6.1 7.5 15.7 9.5

”hiv' 5.1 15.5 10.6 8.8 8.5 7.7

June 5.1 19.9 9.1 8.8 8.5 10.5

“lily 10.2 5:7, 7.6 7.5 9.1 9.5

ALzgust 7.7 8.5 16.7 11.1 4.6 10.2
leptember 12.9 11.5 7.6 8.8 4.6 8.8

QCTo‘tober 15.5 7.5 7.5 8.8 8.5 9.5
OVember 10.2 6.6 10.6 6.9 12.1 7.7
emember 7.7 7.5 4.5 6.2 5.8 5-7

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

\

59

Table 25

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, BY SEX, RESIDENCE,
BIRTHPLACE, AND SEASON OF DEATH IN PERCE:

__ ~_-_..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Sea son MiChian
0f death Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Spring 51.6 28.5 52.2 27.8 29.6 25.5
Summer 50.1 28.5 24.0 22.9 25.7 25.6
Autiunn 22.9 20.2 21.4 22.6 24.5 25.7
Marter 15.4 22.8 22.4 26.7 22.4 25.4
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Michigan
Season
Rural ' Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
of death
Spring 20.4 28.4 27.5 25.5 51.8 26.8
er 25.1 54.1 55.4 27.5 22.0 29.8
fiatumn 58.5 25.4 25.8 24.5 25.0 25.8
”lrrter 18.0 15.1 15.5 22.5 21.2 17.6
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
\

 

Photua: The following definitions of the seasons is employed:

Spring-~March, April, and May
Summer--June, July, and August
Autumn--September, October, and November
Winter--December, January, and February

 

60

by changing seasons, it appears that there is considerable evidence to
support the view that the seasons do have an effect upon the suicide rate

’and that this effect varies with the importance of Climatic conditions

upon the life of the people. The variation between the foreign-born group

and the native white segment of the pOpulation offers further information

on the problem. It appears that cultural factors are of great importance.

Durkheim found that the highest suicide rate in EurOpe occurred in the

simmer. An examination of the data in this study indicates that the peak

Of suicides among the foreign—born group usually occurred during the sum-
mer. While the rate for the native-born portion was usually highest in
the summer, the difference between the various seasons was not as pronounced
as among the foreign-born group. The present investigation would give sup-
Port to the point of view that the variation in the suicide rate with the

8eeeons is caused by changing social conditions which accompany the change

of seasons. In this position, the writer supports Durkheim's thesis that
the increase in the suicide rate in the spring and summer months is becauSe

8Oc:'1.al interaction is greater during these periods. The fact that the rate

<ioess not show the same fluctuation in urban areas indicates that this thesis
Ima3r be valid for it is known that the pattern of living in urban areas does
llcrb change as drastically during the year as does the pattern in rural areas.
H. Relation of Length of Stay in the Community
to the Suicide Rate
It would appear that the length of stay of the suicide in the commu-

nity may give an indication of the degree of integration within the

Comnity by the suicide.

61

The data for Michigan during the period under consideration are not

as complete as might be desired. A very high percentage of the death

certificates gave no information on this item.1 Tables 24, 25, and 25

provide data on length of stay in the community by the suicide. The data

indicate that a greater number of urban white females than rural white

females have remained in the same community for ten years or more. The

same condition is observed for white males. The relationship between this

condition and suicides is not clear. It may reflect either a considerable

difference in the base pOpulation of the two regions or it may indicate
If the latter is the case, it may be a partial

gr eater rural mobility.
A further investigation is

explanation for the higher rural suicide rate.
necessary to reach a conclusion on this point.

A very high percentage of foreign-born suicides has lived in the same
Community for ten or more years. This information would indicate that the

high suicide rate among the foreign-born group cannot be attributed to in-

ternal migration within the United States. Their lack of integration with-

in the community does not stem from the fact that they are recent arrivals.

I. Removal of Body of Suicide as Indication
of Integration within the Community

Included on the death certificate is information concerning the

dispo eition of the body of the suicide. The data have been examined to

893 if differentials in the percent of the suicides that were removed for

burial indicate varying degrees of integration for selected groups.

 

\\

1.
When the data were recorded, it was observed that in many counties

no entries were made on this item at all. The data that are listed,
en, may be fairly representative of the distribution of all suicides.

62

Table 24

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, BY RESIDENCE, SEX
' AND LENGTH OF RESIDENCE IN COMMUNITY BY PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Length of residence Rural Urban
in community Male Female Male Female
1 year or less 8.0 8.9 5.9 7.6
2-9 years 9.6 14.0 11.9 11.0
10 years and over 25.8 21.6 41.5 57.1
All life 15.8 11.9 10.8 10.1
Not ascertainable 40.8 45.6 50.1 54.2
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Table 25

SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945.1949, BY RACE
AND LENGTH OF RESIDENCE IN COMMUNITY IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

L
ength of residence White Negro
in community

 

 

3- Year or less 5.9 4.6
2‘9 years 11.9 15.4
10 years and over 41.5 46.1
All life 10.8 6.2
Not ascertainable 50.1 27.7

Total 100 .0 100 .0

\\

 

 

65

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 26
SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY SEX, RESIDENCE
BIRTHPLACE, AND LENGTH OF STAY IN THE COMMUNITY IN PERCENT
Male
Born in U.S.
Length of Foreign born outside Michigan
stay Michigan
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
1 year or less 6.0 4.7 9.7 8.5 7.9 4.4
2-9 years 9 8 8.9 18.4 19.5 6.5 8.9
10 years and over 45.9 65.6 26.0 45.0 19.5 24.2
All lifel 1.1 1.5 1.5 0.2 25.7 25.9
Not ascertainable 57.2 19.5 44.4 26.8 40.4 56.6
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Length of Michigan
stay
Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
1 year or less 12.8 9.4 12.1 10.0 6.1 5.7
2—9 years 9.7 7.5 22.7 18.8 11.4 8.8
10 Years and over 55.5 55.9 21.2 58.7 18.2 26.8
All life1 2.6 0.0 1.5 0.6 19.7 22.7
Not ascertainable 45.6 29.2 42.5 51.9 44.6 56.0
Trotal 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
_____‘___

 

Any entry in this row for the columns pertaining to foreign born
Etna non-Michigan born natives represents a discrepancy made on the
cieath certificate.

64

Tables 27, 28, 29, 50, 51 and 52 provide information on disposition
of bodies of suicides and the place of removal of removed bodies.
These data indicate that the group which has both the largest per-

centage of removals and also the largest percentage of removals outside

01’ Michigan consisted of those suicides who were born in the United States
outside of Michigan. Apparently the foreign-born group do not usually have
family ties in other sections of the United States for their rate of
removal is about the same as that of the Michigan born segment of the
Population. More of the foreign-born persons who are removed are taken
from the state, however. The evidence indicates that many of the suicides
Who had migrated to Michigan from other states maintain strong ties with
relatives and friends in their former homes. Otherwise, it is impossible
to eXplain the very high removal rate of over one-third. For the group of
r'Lu‘el residents who were born outside of Michigan that were removed, almost
two—thirds of the bodies were taken outside Michigan. For urban residents
in the same group almost three-fourths of the bodies that were removed
Were taken beyond Michigan's borders. Such data are taken as rather strong
eViclence that the suicides in this group had not become strongly integrated
in their new surroundings. The somewhat lower removal rates and out-of-
B”Gate removals for rural residents who were born out-of-state indicates
that rural areas may be somewhat more successful than urban areas in
establishing new homeship ties. Further evidence is required before any

definite statement can be made.

J. Negro-White Differentials

Tables 18, 21, 25, 29, 50, 55, 54, 55, 56 and 57 provide information

concerning suicide differentials between the male white urban pOpulation

Table 27

65

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY RESIDENCE
SEX, AND DISPOSITION OF BODY IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rural Urban
Disposition Male Female Male Female
Burial 80.7 78.8 75.4 72.8
Cremation 0.7 0.4 5.2 5.5
Removal 18.6 20.8 21.4 25.6
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Table 28
REMOVAL OF BODY OF SUICIDES BY RESIDENCE
‘ AND SEX IN PERCENT
m _ ...”...-
Rural Urban
Place Male Female Male Female

\

U-S3 98.9 100.0 96.8 92.9
Michigan 72.5 55.4 54.1
other East North Central 16.9 18.5 20.4
griddle Atlantic and New England 5.4 6.4 7.1
Don‘t-h 5.9 15.5 16.5

F0 ther U.S. 2.2 5.0 2.0
reign 1.1 0.0 5.2 7-1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

66

Table 29

SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,
BY RACE AND DISPOSITION OF BODY IN PERCENT

 

w

 

 

 

Disposition White Negro
Burial 75.4 67.7
Cremation 5.2 1.5
Removal 21.4 50.8

Total 100.0 100.0
Table 50

REMOVAL OF BODY OF SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS
BY RACE IN PERCENT

Place White Negro

\

U.S. 96.8 100.0
Michigan 55 4
Other East North Central 18 5
Middle Atlantic and New England 6.4
South 15 5
other U.S. 5 O .

Creign 5.2 0.0

Total 100 .0 100 .O
\

 

Table 51

67

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY SEX, RESIDENCE,

BIRTHPLACE, AND DISPOSITION OF BODY IN PERCENT

 

 

 

Born in U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign born outside Michigan
Disposition Michigan
0f body Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Burial 85.8 85.5 64.8 58.8 84.7 80.2
Cremation 0.5 4.2 4.1 5.4 0.0 1.7
Removal elsewhere 15.7 10.5 51.1 55.8 15.5 18.1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Disposition MIChigan
of body Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
Burial 84.6 75.5 72.7 58.7 79.5 81-0
Cremation 0.0 4.7 1.5 5.0 0.0 1.5
Renuyval elsewhere 15.4 19.8 25.8 56.5 20.5 17.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

x

68

Table 52

PLACE OF SHIPMENT OF BODY OF REMOVED SUICIDES BY SEX,
RESIDENCE, AND BIRTHPLACE IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

112.12
Born in U.S.
Foreign born outside Michigan
Place of Michigan
destination Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
U.S. 92.0 87.5 100.0 99.4 100.0 98.0
Michigan 80.0 62.5 57.7 25.6 95.5 90.9
Other East North
Central 8.0 17.5 57.7 26.5 4.6 4.1
Middle Atlantic,
‘New England 4.0 2.5 8.2 10.5 1.1 1.0
Sowm‘th (1.0 2.5 11.5 28.4 0.0 1.0
Other U.S. 0.0 2.5 4.9 8.6 0.0 0.0
”Orei {WI 8.0 12.5 0.0 0.6 0.0 2.0
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
3.8.9.7116
Born in U.S.
‘ Foreign born outside Michigan
1 Place of . Mic‘nigan___
J d e Stination Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural Urban
, ~—~—_.___ __
i U° S - 100.0 66.7 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
1 Michigan 100.0 42.9 55.5 20.7 100.0 94.2
Other East North
Central 0.0 9.0 55.2 27.6 0.0 2.9
Middle Atlantic, ,
I New England 0.0 0.0 11.8 12.1 0.0 0.0
E South 0.0 0.0 11.8 56.2 0.0 2.9
r F Other U.S. 0.0 4.8 5.9 5.4 0.0 0.0
oreign 0.0 55.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

\

Table 55

SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,

BY RACE AND PLACE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

69

 

 

 

 

 

 

Place White Negro

Hospital 24.4 55.4

Home 56.6 52.5

Other 1900 52.5

Total 100.0 100.0
Table 54
SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949
BY RACE AND BIRTHPLACE IN PERCENT
Birthplace White Negro

\

11.8. 68.8 92.5
Michigan 10.63 10 8
other East North Central 10.7 10 8
Ldiddle Atlantic and New England 7.5 4 6
South 6.9 66 1
0their U.S. 5.5 0 0

Foreign 28.9 1.5

N013 ascertainable 2.5 6.2

100.0 100.0

Total

 

\

-
.9-1

Alv'

 

 

 

SUICIDES OF MALE URBAN RESIDENTS IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,

Table 55~

BY RACE AND OCCUPATION IN PERCENT

I

*—

 

‘

7O

 

 

 

 

 

Occupation White Negro
Professional 4.6 1.5
Farmers 1.8 0.0
Proprietors 7.4 0.0
Clerical 7.5 1.5
Craftsmen, Operators 54.1 10.7
Domestic service 0.0 0.0
Other domestic 8.0 10.8
Farm laborers 0.2 0.0
Other laborers 4.0 15.9
Students 1.4 1-5
Not ascertainable 25.0 55.9
Retired 8.2 6.2

Total 100 0 100.0

Table 56

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,

BY RACE, RESIDENCE AND SEx

 

 

 

 

 

White Negro
Total Rural Urban Total Rural Urban
_1____g
A11 10 4 11.8 9.6 4.4 0.0 4.8
Male: 15 8 22.4 15.1 7.0 0.0 7.7
Female 4 8 4.6 5.0 1.7 0.0 1.9

71

SUICIDE RATES PER 100,000 POPULATION IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, FOR MALE
URBAN RESIDENTS BY AGE AND RACE

....—

 

Ags White Age Negro
10-14. 0.0

15-19 2.5 1524 3,9
20-24 6.6
25.29 8.8 25-54 12.2
50-54 11.4
55-59 15.1 55—44 2:2
40-4Hh 17.8
45-449 19.2 45-54 6,9
50-594 22.7
55-59 29.7 55-64 10.0
60—64 52.7
65-59 52.1 65.74 15.0
70-74 52.4
75 and over 42.5 75 and over 15.4

R

 

Note,

Rates for less than twenty suicides are underscored.

72

and the male Negro urban pOpulation. The small number of samples in the
Negro female classification makes an analysis of female racial differen-
tials meaningless.

Table 56 incorporates a limited amount of female Negro data. It
indicates that the crude death rate for urban male Negroes is only about
two-thirds of that of the total urban rate. No rural rate can be computed
because only one suicide occurred during the five year period under study.
For urban females the suicide rate is even lower. It is only slightly
under two-fifths of the total urban female rate.

The small number of Negroes that have committed suicide means that an
interpretation of the data must be made with caution. The one conclusion
that can be drawn unreservedly is that there is a sharp difference in
birthplace of the Negro urban male and the white urban male. Table 54
ind icates that almost two-thirds of the urban Negroes that committed suicide
Were born in the south. A slightly higher removal rate for Negroes, shown
in Table 29, also suggests less integration on the part of the Negro.
Table 50 points out that the number of removed bodies of Negroes going to
the south is very high. Fifty percent of all Negro male urban removals
are taken to the south.

The low Negro suicide rate may be explained by the fact that thelx’"
Negro behavior pattern has not been altered as much by the process of
urbanization and industrialization as has the behavior pattern of the
White. The majority of Negroes still work in the laboring class and the
trel'nendous competitive spirit that characterizes much of urban society is
not so intense in Negro areas. The Negro has not yet faced the conflict

i . . .
n Values that the white has. As has been the. case in other portions of

75

this study, any absolute etiological statement awaits the integration of
demographic and psychiatric study. The fact that the Negro suicide rate
has been increasing would suggest that the Negro is increasingly feeling
the effect of the extension of an "urban mentality" throughout most of

the society and that the hypothesis suggested above may have some validity.

K. Effect of Age Differentials on Selected Variables

The effect of age differences on various aspects of suicide phenom-
enon have not been extensively examined in the literature. Tables 58, 59
and 40 present data on suicides by sex and residence for selected age
groups.1

The place of death varies with the place of residence, sex and age.
In general, a higher percentage of urban than rural, and female than male
die in hospitals. While the evidence is not as conclusive by age groups,
it appears that higher prOportion of young people die in hospitals.2 The
factors responsible for the rural-urban differential in place of death are
threefold. First, a higher pOpulation density in urban areas increases
the liklihood of early discovery of the suicide. Second, easier access to
hospitals in urban areas permits more rapid removal of the suicide on
discovery. Third, the methods which rural people select to kill themselves
are generally more certain and quick than the means that urban people use.

The surest and quickest methods, the use of firearms, is used more frequently

in the country than in the city.

\

1
For other age specific tables, see Appendix B.

2
For further information on place of death, see tables 55 and 41.

Table 58

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, BY AGE

AND PLACE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male
Rural Urban
Place 20-29 40-49 60-69 20-29 40-49 60—69
Hospital 21.0 15.5 12.1 24.1 25.1 25.7
Home 56.8 72.8 78.5 48.8 55.8 57.2
Other 22.2 15.9 9.6 27.1 19.1 17.1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Rural Urban
Place 20-29 40-49 60-69 20-29 140-49 60-69
Itaspital 45.8 26.7 15.2 47.8 29.7 58.6
Home 50.0 68.9 78.7 54.8 58.4 50.9
Other 4.2 4.4 6.1 17. 11.9 10.
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Table 59

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY AGE

AND CAUSE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

le
Rural Urban

Cause 20-29 40-49 60—69 20—29 40-49 60—69
Poisoning 6.2 4.8 4.0 10.6 7.8 5.7
Poisonous gases 4.9 7.9 4.0 15.5 12.0 6.1

Hanging or
strangulation 1°.5 17.6 55.4 25.6 26.5 51.8
Dreaming 1.2 1.8 5.0 6.0 5.2 9.0
ELrearms 65.0 64.9 44.5 59.9 41.0 55.1
mxtting 2.5 1.2 7.1 0.7 5.5 8.6
thumping 1.2 1.8 0.0 2.5 2.8 4.9
Crushing 2.5 0.0 0.5 0.7 1.4 2.0
Other 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.7 1.8 0.8
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

Female
Rural Urban

Cause 20—29 40—49 60-69 20-29 40-49 60-69
Poisoning 20.8 28.9 12.1 45.0 17.8 14.0
Poisonous gases 0.0 6.7 0.0 2.9 10.9 7.0

Hanging or
strangulation 20.8 26.7 48.5 15.1 59.6 42.2
Drowning 0.0 4.4 15.2 10.1 7.9 8.8
Firearms 45.9 26.7 21.2 21.8 12.9 7.0
Cutting 0.0 2.2 0.0 1.4 5.0 10.5
Jlunping 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.4 5.9 7.0
Crnzshing 4.2 0.0 0.0 4.5 2.0 0.0
Other 8.5 4.4 5.0 0.0 0.0 5.5
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

\

Table 40

76

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949, BY AGE, RESIDENCE,
SEX AND SEASON IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male
Season Rural Urban
20-29 50-59 40-49 60-69 70-79 20-29 50-59 40-49 60-69 70-79
Spring 18.5 52.5 55.2 50.2 24.0 22.6 27.0 28.1 27.4 28.5
Summer 22.2 25.8 21.2 27.5 24.9 21.9 27.9 22.0 27.0 26.7
Autumn 29.7 24.7 21.2 25.5 51.7 24.0 25.9 25.0 22.4 21.0
Winter 29.6 19.0 22.4 19.2 19.4 51.5 21.2 26.9 25.2 25.8
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
Female
Season Rural Urban
20-29 50—59 40-49 60-69 70-79 20-29 50-59 40-49 60-69 70-79
Spring 55.4 55.5 18.2 24.7 21.8 29.9
Sunmmr 29.1 51.1 24.2 51.8 51.7 56.7
Autumn 20.8 20.0 21.5 24.6 25.7 19.5
winier 16.7 15.6 56.5 18.9 20.8 14.1
Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
No"be: The following definitions of the seasons is employed:

Spring--March, April, and May
Summer--June, July, and August
Autumn-~September, October, and November
Winter--December, January, and February

77

Table 41

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949, BY RESIDENCE
AND PLACE OF DEATH IN PERCENT

 

 

 

 

Rural Urban
Place of death Male Female Male Female
Hospital 15.1 25.5 24.4 55.5
Home 74.5 70.8 56.6 55.0
Other 12.4 5.9 19.0 11.7

Total 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0

 

78

The factors which contribute to the age differences in the place of
death are the choice of method and the physical condition of the body.
There appears to be a direct relation between the very high prOportion
ofluian.females in the 20-29 age group that commit suicide and the
favorite method of suicide in the same category. Almost half of the
females in this group died in hospitals; the same percentage of the
fbmales in this group used poison, one of the slowest and least sure
means of committing suicide.1 The smaller percentage of rural people in
the Older age groups that die in hospitals is probably explained by the
fact that their reduced physical vigor causes more of them to die before
they can be removed to a hospital.

One of the most interesting aspects of the age specific tables is the
variability of suicides with the seasons of the year.2 The seasonal
Variation that Durkheim observed collapses completely when age specific
Imrcentages are computed. The highest percentage of suicides among both
rural and urban.young males occurs in the autumn and winter rather than in
the summer and spring. If this variation is not due to more chance, it is
definitely a characteristic of early adulthood, for the 50-59 age group
show percentages more characteristic of the typically Observed pattern.
The present writer is not in a position to hypothesize on this situation
without access to case history studies of these suicides. This information

is not available. For other age groups, the seasonal distributions appear

quite similar.

 

The exact correspondence is Of course coincidental.

See also pages 56-60.

79

L. Conclusions

1. This study has demonstrated that the rural-urban suicide
differential cannot be explained by unique age, sex, racial, or nativity
distributions between the rural and urban segments of the Michigan popula-
tion. The rural male suicide rate in Michigan is higher for both the
native and foreign-born white male residents for almost all age groups.
While the data are in some question, the suicide rate for farmers is higher
than that for any other occupational group. Two factors are suggested to
account for this uncommon situation. First, as urban values and ideals
become more widely disseminated in rural areas, the conflict in rural-urban
ideals racemes more intense. This conflict offers greater possibilites for
maladjustment and personal disorganization among rural peOple. Second, the
data that have been presented in this study indicate that the majority of
the rural white males who commit suicide are not engaged in occupations
which are typically rural; but, rather, they are engaged in occupations
Which are typically urban. Though they live in the country, they are
urban-oriented in terms Of occupation and mental attitude.

2. The foreign-born segment of the pOpulation exhibits higher
8micide rates than corresponding native—born groups. Two possible reasons
for the condition have been suggested. First, those persons who are
malaldjusted and who have greater suicidal tendencies migrate. Second,
the required adjustment in behavior in a new region increases the possibil-
ity for frustration and disorganization of the personality.

5. Differences in the means that suicides employ to kill themselves

ref"lect the effects Of the cultural mil is). upon the suicide.

4. More persons kill themselves in the summer than any other
season. The evidence presented in this study would suggest that the
cultural milieu once again.is of great importance in this situation.

5. Negroes commit suicide much less frequently in Michigan than do
whites. Less disorganization and frustration on the part of the Negro
appears to be important reasons for this phenomenon.

6. Age differentials are discerned for such factors as date of
death, place of death, means of death, and nativity. The effect of the
culture upon the individual in terms of the role ascribed to various age

groups and the effect of various cultures upon the suicides are indicated.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

4 -.—-. _.l U - .—-—---

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Beeley, A. L. "Juvenile Suicide," The Social Sgrvice Review, Volume
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Bunger, W. A. ”Le suicide come phenomena social," Revug gs; 1'Inst1tut
gig Sgciologie, XVI, 1936.

Gavan, Ruth. Suicide. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1928.
359 PP.

De Greef, C. “Suicide: Causes and Statistics,” The American Journai
of Sociology, 11, (July 1903). pp. 76-84.

Dublin, L. I. and Bunzel, B. 22, Be 9;; liq; Lo, Egg New York: Smith and
H83.8, 19330 “'43 Pp.

Durkheim, Emile. Spicide. Translated by George Simpson. Glencoe,
Illinois: The Free Press, 1951. #05 pp.

Freud, Sigmund, Collected Papers, Volume IV. London: The Hogarth Press,
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Gorgas, S. "Suicide in the Netherlands,” 2113 merican flourgl 9;: S99:-
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Halbwachs, Maurice. Les Causes _d_._u_ Suicide. Paris: Librsirie Felix
Alcan, 1930. 520 pp.

Hoffman, F. L. Suicide Problems. Newark: The Prudential Press, 1927.
270 PP-

Houser, Paul M. and Beegle, J. Allan, Mortality Differentials in Michi-
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Station Special Bulletin 367, February, 1951. 62 pp.

Burlburt, W. C. ‘T’PrOSperity, Depression and the Suicide Rate,” The
MMQMC 010 . 3000711. (1932). 1319- 7111-19-

Lunden, W. A. Statistics 93 Crime and Crimipalsg Pittsburgh: Steven-
son and Foster Company, 19:2. 263 pp.

Menninger, Karl A. LL83 gainst Himself. New York: Harcourt, Brace,
and Company, 1938. “-85 pp.

 

81

82

Miner, J’. R. ”Suicide and its Relation to Climatic and Other Factors,"

The Amerlcan Journal 9_f_ Hyggene, ionograph Series 2, 1922. 1% pp.
Morselli, H. Suicide. English translation. New York: D. Appleton
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Porterfield, A. L., Talbert, R. H., and Mundkenke, H. R.
and. Sgclal Well-Beirg lg Your State and City. Fort Worth: Texas

Christian University, 1948. 121 pp.

Roalfe, W. R. "The Psychology of Suicide,” The Journal 9;; Abnormal
m Sgclal Psychglggy, Volume XXIII. pp. 59-67.

Rosen‘thal, 1'. "0n Suicide in Islam," The American Oriental Soclety
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Schmid, Calvin. Suigides lg Seattle, HIV-£91325: An Ecological and

Behavioristlc Study. Seattle: The University of Washington Press,
1928. 93 pp.

Sorokin, P. A. Society, Culture, and Personality. New York: Harper
and Brothers, 1947. 7&2 pp.

Sorokin, P. A. and Zimmerman, C. C. Principles _o__f Rural-Urbe n Soc-
121231. New York: H. Holt and Company, 1929. 652 pp.

 

TOSti. G. "Suicide in the Light of Recent Studies,” The American
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U- S, Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, 1950 9.933.113 9.1:.
,narfirelimi y Repgrtg; Characteristics 91 W 2.1;

W, April 1, l950 . Series PC-6, No. IV. 16 pp.

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IdL-éln Statlstics 9______ the “Lite §______tates, 1,9148. P__e___ rt _I__I. lilacs ijesi-

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11113111 Hodge and Company, Limited, 1947. 219 pp.

Williams, 3.1. “Some Observations on the Psychological Aspects of

Sm4:11.613," Th__e_J nal 9;; Abnorme .1 and Social Psychology, Volume XXXI.

(1935.1935)—pp. 260 265.
Zilboorg,, Gregory. uSuicide Among Civilized and Primitive People."

The.

Mean learns; gt; szchiatpz, Volume x011, (1935-1936). pp. 1347-69.

APPEI‘JDICES

 

APPENDIX A

MICHIGAN POPULATION ESTIMATES

Table 1

Estimated Foreign-born Population in.Michigan, 1947,
by Age, Residence, and Sex

 

 

Males

Age Total Rural Urban
All ages 288,000 74, 000 214,000
20-24 4, 000 0 4,000
25-29 7,000 1,000 6,000
50-54 10,000 2,000 8,000
55-59 17,000 5, 000 14,000
40-44 26 , 000 5, 000 2 1 , 000
45-49 55, 000 ,7, 000 28,000
50-54 42 ,000 9,000 55, 000
55-59 45, 000 1 1 , 000 54,000
60-64 57, 000 11, 000 26,000
65-69 26 , 000 9, 000 17,000
70-74 19,000 7, 000 12,000
75 and over 20, 000 9,000 11 ,000

Female
Age Total Rural Urban
\

3332115923 3 254,000 58,000 196 ,000
6,000 1,000 2,000
25-29 8,000 1 ,000 7 .000
50-54- 15,000 3,000 10,000
55—59 19,000 5,000 16,000
110-44 26,000 4, 000 22 .000
[5‘49 52,000 6,000 26 ,000
30-54 54,000 7,000 27,000
5559 55 , 000 7 , 000 26 , 000
60-64 27, 000 7,000 20 .000
65-69 21,000 6 ,000 15.000
7041+ 16 , 000 4, 000 12 .000
75 and over 19,000 9,000 10,000

 

 

85

84

Table 2

Estimated non-white Population in Michigan, 1947
by Age, Residence, and Sex

 

 

 

 

Male
Age Total Rural Urban
All ages 194,000. . 25,000 171,000
20-24 14,000 2,000 12,000
25-29 17,000 2,000 15,000
50-54 18,000 2,000 16,000
55—59 22,000 2,000 20,000
40-44 20,000 2,000 18,000
115-49 16,000 2,000 14,000
50-54 10,000 1,000 9,000
55-59 6 , 000 1 , 000 5, 000
60-64 4, 000 1 , 000 5 , 000
65-69 5,000 1,000 2,000
70-74 1,000 -—- 1,000
75 and over 1,000 --- 1,000
Femelg_
Age

Total Rural Urban

\ Q
if“ ages 194,000 21,000 175,000
2%-?" 18,000 2,000 16,000
50‘; 9 20 , one 2 1 00C) 18 , COO
Qé-Slxt 20,000 2,000 18,000
//‘5S> 23,000 23000 19,000
4;“4 ' 17,000 2.000 15.000
«4'9 12,000 1,000 11,000
50:54 8,000 1,000 7,000
2959 5,000 1,000 4,000
(SO-51+ 5,000 --- 5,000
5'69 5,000 --- 5,000
70-74 1,000 --- 1,000
75 and over 1,000 mm 1,000

\-

85

Table 5

Estimated Native Wiite POpuletion in.Michigan, 1947,
by Age, Residence, and Sex

 

 

 

 

 

 

131.12
Age Total Rural Urban
All ages 2,576,000 780,000 1,796,000
15-19 201,000 50,000 151,000
20_24 195,000 46,000 147,000
25-29 198,000 47,000 151,000
50-54 196 , 000 49 , 000 147 , 000
55-59 180,000 49,000 151,000
110-44 180,000 58,000 122,000
115-49 185,000 65,000 120,000
50-54 160,000 59,000 101,000
- 55-59 124,000 41,000 85,000
60-64 95,000 56,000 57,000
65-69 70,000 25,000 47,000
70-74 49,000 24,000 25,000
75 and over 54,000 28,000 26,000
Age Total Rural Urban
\_
AP *1 ass 2,566,000 886,000 1,679,000
3940 202,000 72,000 150,000
90'”: 198,000 70,000 128,000
“5‘99 225,000 78,000 145,000
8954 225,000 81,000 142,000
3359 182,000 68,000 114,000
4:44 167,000 65,000 104,000
9‘49 159,000 52,000 87.000
59354 115,000 45,000 68,000
59-59 87,000 58.000 49.000
60.64 67,000 29,000 58,000
65-59 59,000 26,000 55,000
79-7 1+ 41 ,000 17 , 000 24, 000
79 and over 51,000 26,000 25,000

\“m‘

 

Table 4

Estimated Pepulation in Michigan, 1947,

by Sex and Occupation

_ ‘m"-

 

 

 

 

u“... ..uo-H-O—n-n- —-—.—- -

 

_ -__ _-.—-..
- -—- _—

86

 

.
.-

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupation Male Female
Professional, technical, and kindred workers 104,000 69,000
Farmers and farm managers 125,000 2,000
Lmnagers, proprietors, and officials,
except farmers 165,000 18,000
Clerical and kindred workers 97,000 150,000
Saleeworkers 92,000 59,000
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 550,000 9,000
Operaxtives, and kindred workers 478,000 99,000
Privaxte household workers 1,500 47,000
Other' service workers 91,000 68,000
Farm. laborers, except unpaid, and foremen 50,000 5,000
Labor'ers except farm and mine 112,000 4,000
Unpaid farm laborers 14,000 4,000
Ocmrpetion not reported 21,000 10,000
Table 5
Marital Status of Estimated Michigan POpulation,
Fourteen and Over, 1947, by Sex
2:::::23:
Marital Status Male Female
.__‘__~_
Single 650,000 465.000
:firrled 1,502,000 1,514,000
1dOwed or divorced 141,000

\._

275,000

CHARACTERISTICS OF NEGRO MALE URBAN

APPEITDIX B
TABLIS
Table 1

SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

 

t

I

_—
_‘—

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total mmber of cases in group: 65
Age
10-1# 0 0.0 0.0
15.24 6 9.2 4.0
25-54 22 55.9 12.2
554'!» 19 29.3 9.5
45.54 9 15.8 6.9
55.64 5 7.7 10.0
65.74 5 4.6 15.0
75 and over 1 1.5 15.4
100.0
Marital Status
Married #0 61.6
Widowed 5 4.6
Divorced 2 5.1
unknown 1 1.5
100.0
Status of mate of‘married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 5
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 21
Mate still alive, same age 1
Mate still alive, age unknown 6
Not ascertainable 9
Place of death
Hospital 25 55.4
Home 21 52.5
Other 21 52.5
100.0
Date of death
January 11 16.9
February' 4 6.2
march. 5 4.6

87

Table 1 (Continued)

W

 

Oharacteri stic Number Percent
Date of death
April 5 4.6
May' 6 9.2
June 5 7.7
July 6 9.2
kugust 9 15.8
September 4 6.2
October 4 6.2
November 5 4.6
Decanber 7 10.8
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 7 10.8
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation 7 10.8
Drowning - 10 15.4
Firearms and explosives 50 46.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 7.7
Jumping from.high places 5 4.6
Crushing _ 2 5.1
Other or unspecified means 1 1.5
100.0
Length of residence in.community
1 year or less 5 4.6
2-9 years 10 15.4
10 years and over 50 46.1
All life 4 6.2
Not ascertainable 18 27.7
100. o
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 60 92.5
.Michigan 7 10.8
Other East Nerth Central 7 10.8
lfliddle Atlantic and New England 5 4.6
South 45 66.1
Other UeSe O 000
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 1 1.5
Northwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 0 0.0

89
Table 1 (Continued)
Percent

Characteristic Number

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western Hemisphere
All other foreign

Not ascertainable

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern Europe

Other Europe

Asia

Canada and Newfoundland

Other Western Hemisphere

All other foreign

Not ascertainable

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other Ue Se

Birthplace of father of suicide in
foreign country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern.Europe

OOOOOOOH NHHW OOHOOO

HNHHW

000

In

17

O
OOOOOOOU‘

OOOOOOOOH

6.2
72.5

1.5

26.2

75.8

1.5

Table 1 (Continued)

Characteristic Number

90

Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in
foreign country
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western.hemisphere
All other foreign

Net ascertainable 16

usual occupation

Professional workers

Semiprofessional workers

Farmers and farm.managers

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers

Operatives and kindred workers

Domestic service workers

Service workers, except domestic

Phrm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen

Fhrm.1aborers (unpaid family workers)

laborers, except farm

Housewives

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

OOHOO

Homoo-qowo‘r-ao OOH

N
#000

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial . '
Cremation
Rumoval elsewhere

8H1:

Removal of suicide in.U.S. 20
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South 1
Other U.S.

HOOD-JG!

Removal of suicide to foreign country 0

O
OOCDOUINUIO OOUI

OOH‘Oz-‘O OOH

..s

100.0

100.0
100.0

0.0

Table 2

CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE MALE URBAN
SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

 

 

 

:-
Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 1,515
Age
10-14 . 5 0.2 - - .—
15-24 71 5.4 6.6
25-54 157 12.0 20.2
55—44 256 18.0 52.9
45.54 294 22.5 41.9
55-64 510 25.6 62.4
65.74 165 12.4 64.5
75 and over 77 5.9 42.5
Not ascertainable 2 0.2 - - -
100.0
Marital Status
Single 290 22.1
Married 740 56.5
Widowed 102 7.8
Divorced 159 12.1
Unknown ' 22 1.7
100.0
Status of'mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 8O
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 466
Mate still alive, same age 54
Mate still alive, age unknown 120
Not ascertainable 20
Place of death
Hospital 521 24.4
Home 745 56.6
Other 249 19.0
100.0
Date of death
January 117 8.9
February 95 7.2
March 152 10.2
April 112 8.5

91

Table 2 (Continued)

92

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
May 114 8.7
June 116 8.8
July 117 8.9
August 94 7.2
September 107 8. 1
October 116 8.8
November 84 6.4
December 109 8.5
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning'(solid or liquid) 99 7.5
Poisonous gases 128 9.7
Hanging or strangulation 580 28.9
Drowning 78 5.9
Firearms and explosives 477 56.4
Cutting or piercing instruments 65 4.8
Jumping from high places 47: 5.6
Crushing 25%; 1.8
Other or unspecified means 18 1.4
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 77 5.9
2-9 years 156 11.9
10 years and over 545 41.5
All life 142 10.8
Not ascertainable 595 50.1
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 68.8
Michigan 554 40.6 '
Other East North Central 140‘ 10.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 95 7.5
South 92 6.9
Other U.S. 45 5.5
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 28.9
Northwestern.Europe 68 5.2
Central Europe 182 15.8
Eastern.Europe 50 5.8
Other Europe 58 2.1
Asia 4 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 45 5. 5
Other Western.hemisphere 2 0.2
All other foreign 2 0.2

Table 2 (Continued)

95

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Not ascertainable 50 2.5
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 517 59.4
Michigan 255 19.4
Other East North Central 104 7.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 65 5.0
South 80 6.1
Other U.S. 15 1.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 576 45.9
Northwestern Europe 129 9.8
Central Europe 276 21.0
Eastern Europe 65 4.8
Other Europe 55 2.5
Asia 4 0. 5
Canada and Newfoundland 69 5.5
Other Western hemisphere 2 0.2
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 220 16.7
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 482 56.7
Michigan 215 16.2
Other East North Central 104 7.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 74 5.6
South 77 5.9
Other U.S. 14 1.1
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 645 49.0
Northwestern.Europe 146 11.1
Central Europe 297 22.6
Eastern Europe 69 5.5
Other Europe 55 2.7
Asia 5 0.4
Canada and Newfoundland 86 6.5
Other Western Hemisphere 5 0.2
All other foreign 2 0.2
Not ascertainable 188 14.5
Usual occupation
Professional workers 50 5.8
Sanip'rofessional workers 10 0.8

94

Table 2 (Continued)

 

 

t
_L—:

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Farmers and farm managers 25 1.8
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 97 7.4
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 96 7.5
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 285 21.6
Operatives and kindred workers 164 12.5
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 105 8.0
Fanm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman 2 0.2
Farm.1aborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm , 55 4.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 18 1.4
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 210 16.0
No occupation given 92 7.0
Retired 108 8.2
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 975 75.4
Cremation 2 5.2
Removal elsewhere 17 21.4
100.0
(Removal of suicide in U.S. 272 96.8
Michigan 150 55.4
Other East North Central 52 18.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 18 6.4
South 58 15.5
Other U.S. ' 11" 500

Removal of suicide in foreign country _ . . 9 5.2

Table 5

CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE'MALE RURAL
SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 957
Age
10-14 2 0.2 - -
15.24 47 4.9 18.8
25.54 94 9.8 58.0
55.44 169 17.7 58.7
45.54 147 15.5 42.7
55-64 225 23-7 90.7
65-74 179 18.8 115.5
75 and over 91 9.8 47.9
Not ascertainable 5 0.5 - -
‘ 100.0
Marital Status
Single 219 22.9
Married 551 55.5
widowed 52 5.4
Divorced 140 14.6
unknown 15 1.6
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 61
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 519
Mate still alive, same age 45
Mate still alive, age unknown 87
Not ascertainable 21
Place of death
Hospital 125 15.1
Home 715 74.5
Other 119 12.4
100.0
Date of death
January 56 5.8
February 67 7.0
March 96 10.0
April 101 10.7

95

96

Table 5 (Continued)

1* r
-: A.“— —_'

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
fits of death
May 94 9.8
June 98 10.5
July 76 7.9
August 68 7.1
Septunber 67 7.0
October 95 9.9
Novanber 64 6.7
Decanber 75 7.8
100.70
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 44 4.6
Poisonous gases 52 5.4
Hanging or strangulation 242 25.5
Drowning 21 2.2
Firearms and explosives 529 55.4
Cutting or piercing instruments 45 4.7
Jlmping from high places ,6 0.6
Crushing
-8 0.8
Other or unspecified means 10 1.0
b 100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 77 8.0
2-9 years 92 9.6
10 years and over 247 25.8
All life 151 15.8
Not ascertainable 590 40.8
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 759 79.5
Michisan . 565 58.9
Other East North Central 108 11. 5
Middle Atlantic and New England 56 5.8
30411-11 55 5-7
Other U.S. 15 1.6
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 185 19.1
Northwestern Europe 52 5.5
Central Europe 80 8.4
Eastern Europe 58 4.0
Other Europe 6 0.6
Asia 0 0.0
2 7

Canada and Newfoundland 26

97
Table 5 (Continued)

Characteristic ' Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country

Other Western.hemisphere 1 0.1
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 15 1.6
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 469 . 49.0
Michigan 278 29. 1
Other East North Central 100 10.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 55 5.5
South 29 5.0
Other 0.8. 9 0.9
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 508 52.2
Northwestern Europe 65 6.8
Central Europe 118 12.4
Eastern Europe 55 5.5
Other Europe 7 0.7
Asia 0 ' 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 65 6.
Other Western.hemisphere 1 0.1
All other foreign 1 0.1
Not ascertainable 180 18.8
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 457 47.7
Michigan 258 27.0
Other East North Central 91 9.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 75 7.8
South 28 2.9
Other U.S. 5 0.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 545 56. 1

Northwestern.Europe 89 9-3
Central Europe 154 14.0
Eastern.Europe 57 6.0
Other Europe 8 0.8
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 56 5.9
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 1 0.1

98
Table 5 (Continued)
W

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Not ascertainable 155 16.2
Usual occupation
Professional workers 15 1.6
Semiprofessional workers 4 0.4
Farmers and farm.managers 506 52.1
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 52 5.4
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 52 5.5
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 126- 15.2
Operatives and kindred workers 65 6.6
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 26 2.7
Form laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman 21 2.2
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 7 0.7
Laborers, except farm, 67 7.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 11 ' 1.1
Information inadequate for classification
of occupation 151 15.8
No occupation given 41 4.5
Retired 55 5.7
_ ' 100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 750 80.7
Cremation 7 0.7
Removal elsewhere 22 18.6
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 176 98.9
Michigan 129 72.5
Other East North Central 50 16.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 5.4
South 7 5.9
Other U.S. ' 4 2.2

Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 1.1

Table 4

CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE FEMALE URBAN
SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

1
Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Pepulation

 

Total number of cases in group: 445

Age
10-14 0 0.0 0.0
15-24 50 6.7 4.5
25.34 76 17.1 10.0
35—44 94 21.2 14.8
Its-54 99 22. 5 19.0
55-64 85 18.6 24.6
65.71} 47 10. 6 22.4
75 and over 16 5.5 9.1
100.0
Marital Status ,~
Single 51 11.5
Married 295 65.8
Widowed 29 6.5
Divorced 71 16.0
Unknown 1 0.2
100.0
Statue of mate of’married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 154
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 55
Mate still alive, same age 19
Mate still alive, age unknown 56
Not ascertainable 9
Place of death
Hospital 157 55.5
Home 256 55.0
Other 52 11.7
100.0
Date of death
January 28 6.5
February 25 5.6
March 41 9.2
April 56 8.1
May 41 9.2

99

Table 4 (Continued)

—__1

—/_

100

 

fi

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
July 56 8.1
August 47 10.6
September 41 9.2
OOtOber 57 8e)
Novanber 52 7.2
December 29 6.5
ImOO
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 105 23.6
Poisonous gases 56 8.1
Hanging or strangulation 150 55.7
Firearms and explosives 60 15.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 19 4.5
Jumping from high places 26 5.8
Crushing 7 1.6
Other or unspecified means 4 0.9
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 54 7.6
2.9 year. 49 11.0
10 years and over 165 57.1
All life 45 10.1
Not ascertainable 152 54.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 557 75.8
Michigan 195 45.4
Other East North Central- 56 12.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 55 7.9
South 59 8.8
Other U.S. 14 5.1
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 106 25.8
Northwestern Europe 15 5.2
Central Europe 45 9.8
Eastern Europe 10 2.2
Other Europe 9 2.0
- Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 27 6.2
Other Nestern.hemisphere 1 0.2
All other foreign 1 0.2

r
—:

Table 4 (Continued)

:-

:—
L

._‘—.

101

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Net ascertainable 2 0.4
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 184 41.5
Michigan 71 16.0
Other East North Central 42 9.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 28 6.5
South 58 8.5
Other U.S. 5 1.1
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 187 42.0
Northwestern Europe 56 8.1
Central Europe 90 20.5
Eastern.Europe 12 2.7
Other Europe , 10 2.2
Asia 1 0.2
Canada and Newfoundland 54 7.7
Other Western hemisphere 2 0.4
All other foreign 2 0.4
Not ascertainable 74 16.7
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 185 41.6
Michigan 65 14.6
Other East North Central 41 9.2
Maddle Atlantic and New England 59 8.8
South 52 7.2
Other UeSe 8 1e8
Birthplace of father‘of suicide in foreign
country 202 45.4
Northwestern Europe 42 9.4
Central Europe 96 21.6
Eastern Europe 16 5.6
Other Europe 11 2.5
Asia 2 0.4
Canada and Newfoundland 52 7.2
Other Western hemisphere 5 0.7
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 58 15.0

Table 4 (Continued)

 

102

 

 

Characteristic

 

Number Percent
Usual occupation
Professional workers 15 2.9
Semiprofessional workers 4 0.9
Farmers and farm.managers l 0.2
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 5 0.7
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 55 7.4
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 8 1.8
Operatives and kindred workers 4 0.9
Domestic service workers 5 1.1
Service workers, except domestic 10 2.2
Form laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman l 0.2
Farm.1aborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except fanm 0 0.0
Housewives 294 66.2
Students 8 1.8
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 10 2.2
No occupation given 41 9.5
Retired 10 2.2 -
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 524 72.8
Cremation. 16 5.6
Removal elsewhere 105 25.6
100.0
Removal of suicide in 0.3. 98 95.4
Michigan 53 50-5
Other East North Central 20 19.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 6.7
South 16 15.5
Other U.S. 2 1.9
Removal of suicide in foreign country 7 6.6

Table 5

CHARACTERISTICS OF NEGRO FEMALE URBAN
SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

M: M

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 16

Age
10-14 0 0.0
15.24 4 25-0
25.54 8 50.0
55.44 2 12.5
45-54 2 12. 5
55.64 0 0.0
65.74 0 0.0
75 and over 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 1 6.5
Married 15 81.1
Widowed ' 1 6.5
Divorced 1 6.5
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 8
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 0
Mate still alive, same age 1
Mate still alive, age unknown 2
Not ascertainable 2
Place of death
Hospital 12 75.0
Hone 2 12. 5
Other 2 12.5
100.0
Date of death
January 1 6.5
February' 1 6.5
web. 5 18e7
April 0 0.0
May 1 6.5
June 2 12.4
July 0 0.0
August 1 6.5
September 2 12.4

105

Table 5 (Continued)

-;_

104

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
October 5 18.7
Novanber 1 6.5
December 1 6.5
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 6 57.5
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation l 6.2
Drowning 2 12. 5
Firearms and explosives 5 51.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 0 0.0
Jumping from high places 2 12.5
Crushing 0 0.0
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 18.7
2-9 years 6 57.5
10 years and over 6 57.5
All life 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 1 6.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in.U.S. 16 100.0
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 1 6.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 14 87.4
Other 0.8. 1 6.5
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 12 75.0
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 12 75.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 4 25.0

105
Table 5 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 15 95.7
‘Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South 1
Other U.S.

87.4

Ouh’OHO
O
O
O

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 0 0.0

Not ascertainable l 6.5

Usual occupation

Professional workers

Semiprofessional workers

Farmers and farm managers

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers

Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers

Operatives and kindred workers

Domestic service workers

Service workers, except domestic

Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman

Fanm laborers (unpaid family workers)

Laborers, except farm

Housewives

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

O‘OOOOVOOHHO COO

oo—vo—v

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial
Cremation. -
Removal elsewhere

NOW
eon
NOV

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 7 100.0
Michigan

Other East North Central

HO
O
O

106

Table 5 (Continued)

W

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Removal of suicide in U.S.

Middle Atlantic and New migland 0 0.0
South 6 85e7
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 6

CHARACTERISTICS OF WHITE FEMALE RURAL
SUICIDES IN'MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 256
Age
10~14 0 0.0 0.0
15-24 15 6.4 4.0
25-54 54 14.4 8.5
55-44 57 15-7 10.7
45.54 61 25.8 24.2
55—64 45 19.0 21.9
65-74 26 11.1 21.2
75 and over 18 7.6 10.2
100e0
Marital Status
Single 18 7.6
Married 169 71.7
Widowed 10 4.2
Divorced 58 16. 1
Unknown 1 0.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 95
Mate still alive, younger than
deceased 24
Mate still alive, same age 10
Mate still alive, age unknown 51
Not ascertainable 8
Place of death a
Hospital 55 25.5
Hone 167 70.8
Other 14 5.9
100.0
Date of death
February 10 4.2
March 24 10.2
April 24 10.2
May 20 8.5

107

108

Table 6 (Continued)

- _L
- ——:

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Date of death

June 19 8.1
July 21 8.9
Allg‘lflt 20 8e 5
September 16 6.8
October 22 9.5
November 27 11.5
December 15 6.4
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 52 22.0
Poisonous gases 7 5.0
Hanging or strangulation 77 52.7
Drowning 25 9.7
Firearms and explosives 59 25.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 10 4.2
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Omahing 2 0e 8
Other or unspecified means 6 2.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 21 8.9
2-9 years 55 14.0
10 years and over 51 21.6
All life 28 11.9
Not ascertainable 105 45.6
100. O
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 197 85.5
Michigan 152 55.9
Other East North Central 45 18.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 5.0
South 8 5.4
Other UeSe 7 5.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 59 16.5
Northwestern Europe 12 5.1
Central Europe 12 5.1
Eastern Europe 5 2.1
Other EurOpe 0 0.0
Asia 1 0.4
Canada and Newfoundland 8 5.4
Other Western hemisphere l 0.4
All other foreign 0 0.0

109
Table 6 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 125 55.0
Michigan 62 26. 5
Other East North Central 25 10.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 17 7.2
South 11 4.7
Other U.S. 10 4.2
Birthpldce of mother of suicide in foreign
country 68 28.8
. Northwestern Europe 27 11.4
Central Europe 28 11.9
Eastern Europe 5 2.1
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 5.0
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.4
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 45 18.2
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 150 55.1
Michigan 61 25.8
Other East North Central 28 11.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 25 9.7
South 11 4.7
Other U.S. 7 5.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 78 55.0
Northwestern Europe 28 11.9
Central Europe 50 12.6
Eastern Europe 7 5.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
A818. ‘ 1 0e h
Canada and Newfoundland 11 4.7
Other Western.hemisphere 1 0.4
All other foreign 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 28 11.9

Usual occupation
Professional workers 7 5.0
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.4

Table 6 (Continued)

110

 

—_‘—‘-'
m .—

Characteristic Number

Percent

 

Usual occupation
Farmers and farm.managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers
Danestic service workers
Service workers, except domestic
Farm.1aborars (wage workers) and farm foreman
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)
Laborers, except farm
Housewives
Students
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation
No occupation given
Retired

...;
(D
«kW-P NOHOOUI-l-‘HH-l—‘N \N

..s

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 186
Cremation 1
Removal elsewhere 49

Removal of suicide in U.S.
‘Michigan 59
Other East North Central 5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2
South 2
Other U.S. 1

Removal of suicide in foreign country

49

..s
e

co eeeee
NH“ mW<POOWN¢er \N

N
OSAOOO|:"F'OOHO

idcmia
O 0

100.0

100.0
100.0

0.0

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES

Table 7

BORN IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

111

Characteristic .Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 194
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15—24 21 10.8
25-54 57 19.1
55.44 55 20.6
45.54 58 19.6
55-64 54 17-5
65-74 17 8.8
75 and over 7 5.6
100.0
* Race ~
White 195 99-5
Black 0 0.0
Indian 1 0.5
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 52 16e5
Married 117 60.5
Widowed 17 8.8
Divorced 27 15-9
Unknown 1 0.5
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 60
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 22
Mate still alive, same age 9
Mate still alive, age unknown' 21
Not ascertainable 5
Place of death
Hospital 64 55.0
Hone 105 55.1
Other 27 15.9
100.0

112

Table 7 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number ' Percent

 

Date of death

January 11 5.7
February' 12 6.2
March 19 9.7
May 15 7.7
June 20 10.5
JUly 18 9e}
August 20 10.5
Septanber 17 8.8
October 18 9.5
November 15 7.7
December 11 5.7
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 46 25.7
Poisonous gases 19 9.8
Hanging or strangulation. 60 50.9
Drowning 18 9. 5
Firearms and explosives 51 16.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 8 4.2
Jumping from high places 9 4.6
Crushing 2 1.0
Other or unspecified means 1 0.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 11 5.7
2—9 years 17 8.8
10 years and over 52 26.8
All life 44 22.7
Not ascertainable 70 56.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S.

Michigan 194 100.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 99 51.0

Michigan 68 55.0

Other East North Central 17 8.8

Middle Atlantic and New England 9 4.6

South 4 .

2 1
Other U.S. l 0.5

115

Table 7 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 62 52.0
Northwestern Europe 16 8.2
Central Europe 55 17.1
Eastern Europe 2 1.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 11 5.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 55 17.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 97 50.0
Michigan 62 52.0
Other East North Central 15 7.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 17 8.8
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 5 1.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 71 56.6
Northwestern Europe 18 9.5
Central Europe 57 19.0
Eastern Europe 2.1
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 12 6.2
Other Western.hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 26 15.4

Usual occupation
Professional workers 4 2
Saniprofessional workers 2 1 .
Farmers and farm managers 1 0
Proprietors, Managers, and officials,

except farm. 1 0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 17 8.
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 4 2.
Operatives and kindred workers 5 1.

Table 7 (Continued)

114

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Usual occupation
Domestic service workers
Service workers, except domestic

Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman

Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)
Laborers, except farm

Housewives

Students

Information inadequate for classification of

occupation
No occupation given
Retired

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial
Cremation
Removal elsewhere

Removal of suicide in.U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other UeSc

Removal of suicide in foreign country

...:
.... 1...:
\NOOO\ NWOOOCAW

...;
field

CHOU-“N

54

O
G‘s-FOOOHU'I

l-‘\.O\)l “9000“!“
WWI-l

100.0

0.0

Table 8

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES

BORN IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

ft
rt

 

Characteristics Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 152
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15-24 9 6.8
25-54 17 12.9
55.44 20 15.1
45-54 56 27.5
55-64 24 18.1
65-74 16 12.1
75 and over 10 7.5
100.0
Race
White 152 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 14 10.6
Married 86 65.2
Widowed 9 6.8
Divorced 25 17.4
Unknown 0 0.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 50
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 12
Mata still alive, same age 4
Mate still alive, age unknown 16
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 55 25.0
Home 89 67.4
Other 10 7.6
100.0

115

Table 8 (Continued)

116

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 15 9.8
February 6 4.6
March 15 9.8
April 18 15.7
May 11 8.5
June 11 8.5
July 12 9.1
August 6 4.6
September 6 4.6
October 11 8.5
November 16 12.1
December 9 6.8
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 27 20.4
Poisonous gases 1 0.8
Hanging or strangulation 42 51.8
Drowning 17 12.9
Firearms and explosives 55 25.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 7 5.5
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing 1 0e 8
Other or unspecified means 4 5.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 8 6.1
2-9 years 15 11.4
10 years and over 24 18.2
All life 26 19.7
Not ascertainable 59 44.6
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S.

Michigan 152 100.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S. 77 58.4

Michigan 55 41.7

Other East North Central 5 5.8

Middle Atlantic and New England 12 9.1

South 2 1.5

Other Ue Se 5 2e 5

In

Table 8 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 52 24.2
Northwestern Europe 14
Central Europe 11
Eastern.Eur0pe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere
All other foreign

...;
OOWOOl-‘COO

e e e e e e e
OOODOOUIWQ

OOWOON

Not ascertainable 25 17.4

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 78 59.1
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

...—s
OOL—‘UIS
oooowvno

HHGNg

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 55 26.5
Northwestern Europe 12
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other western hemisphere
All other foreign

ee eeee
OOOQOWQQ

H
OOCDHOWH
OOQPONNW

Not ascertainable 19 14.4

Usual occupation
Professional workers
Semiprofessional workers
Farmers and farm.managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsman, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers

NHCA
HS);-

HHNN

Table 8 (Continued)

118

 

Ii,—

Characteristic ' Number

 

Usual occupation

Danestic service workers 2
Service workers, except domestic 1
Fhrm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman 0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0
Laborers, except farm 1
Housewives 97
Students 1
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 2
No occupation given 9
Retired 4
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 105
Cremation 0
Removal elsewhere 27

Removal of suicide in U.S.

Michigan 27
Other East North Central 0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0
South 0
Other U.S. 0

Removal of suicide in foreign country

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

Table 9

CHARACTERISTICS or mm: URBAN BUICIIIB
BORN IN 11.3., 1945-1949

 

Rate .per
Characteristic Ember Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 554
Age
10-14 0 0.0 0.0
15-24 35 9.9 5.4
25.54 75 21.2 10.5
55.44 78 22.0 14.4
4564 71 20.1 18.6
55-64 57 16.1 25.9
65-74 28 7.9 19.4
75 and over 10 2.8 8.0
100.0

119

Thble 10

CHARACTERISTICS or FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES
BORN IN U.S., 1945-1949

 

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 198
48° .
10~14. 0 0.0 0.0
15-24 16 8.1 4.5
25-54 52 16.2 8.0
22:;2 29 12.6 8.9
55 2 .8 22.5
55-64 56 18.2 22.0
65-74 19 9.6 19.1
75 and over 15 6. 5 10.0

100.0

120

Table 11

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES
FOREIGN BORN, 1945-1949

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population

_‘

Total number of cases in group: 106

Age
10.14 0 0.0 0.0
15.24 0 0.0 0.0
25.54 a 8 7.6 9.4
55.44 18 ‘16.9 9.7
45-54 50 28.5 11.5
55-64 26 24.6 11.5
65-74 19 17.9 14.1
75 and over 5 4.7 10.0
100.0
Race
White 106 100.0
Black _ O 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
. . 100.0
Marital Status
Single _ 7 6.6
Married 72 67.9
Widowed ‘ 2 1.9
Divorced 25 25.6
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 45
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased ll
Mate still alive, same age 5
Meta still alive, age unknown 11
Not ascertainable 2
Place of death
Hospital 59 56.8
Home 56 52.8
Other 11 10.4
100.0

121

122

Table 11 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

fits of death

January 5 2.8
February 5 2.8
March 10 9.4
April 6 5.7
May 15 12.5
June 21 19.9
July 6 5.7
AugUBt 9 8e5
September 12 11.5
OOtOber 8 7e5
Novanber 7 6.6
December 8 7.5
100.0
Cause of death _
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 20 18.9
Poisonous gases 6 5. 7
Hanging or strangulation 44 41. 6
Drowning 10 9.4
Firearms and explosives 7 6.6
Cutting or piercing instruments ‘ 7 6.6
Junping from high places 10 9.4
Crushing 1 0.9
Other or unspecified means 1 0.9
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 10 9.4
2—9 years 8 7.5
10 years and over 57 55.9
All life 7 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 51 ' 29.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U. S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 106 100.0
Northwestern Europe 15 14.2
Central Europe 45 40.5
Eastern Europe 10 9.4
Other Europe 9 8.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 27 25.5
Other Western hemisphere 2 1.9
All other foreign 0 0.0

125

Table 11 (Continued)

W5

Characteristic Number Percent

 

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 94 88.7

Northwestern Europe 14 15.2

Central Europe 40 57.8

Eastern Europe 8 7.5

Other Europe 9 8.5

Asia 1 0.9

Canada and Newfoundland 20 18.9

Other Western hemisphere 2 1.9

All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 12 11.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. l 0.9

Michigan. 1 0.9
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 101 95.5

Northwestern Europe 17 16.2

Central Europe 45 40.5

Eastern Europe 10 9.4

Other Europe 10 9.4

A313 2 1e9

Canada and Newfoundland 18 17.0

Other Wastern.hemisphere 1 0.9

All other foreign 0 0.0
Net ascertainable 4 5.8

USual occupation

Professional workers 1 0.9
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm.managers O 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except farm. 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 5 2.8
Craftsmen, foreman, and kindred workers 1 0.9
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Danestic service workers 2 1.9
Service workers, except domestic 2 1.9

124

Table 11 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation
Ferm.1aborers (wage workers) and farm foreman O 0.0

Form laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0
Housewives 85 80.5
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 1 0.9
No occupation given 7 6.6
Retired 4 5.8
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 80 75.5
Cremation. 5 4.7
Removal el sewhere 21 19. 8
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 14 68.7
Michigan ‘ 9 42.9
Other East North Central 4 19.0
TMiddle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 1 4.8

Removal of suicide in foreign country 7 55.5

Table 12

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES
FOREIGN BORN, 1945—1949

 

 

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 59
Age
10-14 0 0.0 0.0
15—24 0 0.0 0.0
25.54 2 5.1 10.0
55.44 8 20.5 20.0
45.54 8 20.5 15. 5
55-64 9 25.1 12.0
65—74 7 17.9 14.0
75 and over 5 12.9 11.1
100.0
Race
White 59 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
Marital Status
Single 0 0.0
Widowed 0 0.0
Divorced 5 7.8
Unknown 1 2.6
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased l7
Mate still alive, younger
than.deceased 7
Meta still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown
Not ascertainable 2
Place of death
Hospital 8 20.5
Home 30 75-9
Other 1 2.6
100.0

126
Table 12 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
February 1 2.6
Nhrch 4 10.2
April 2 5.1
May 2 5.1
June 2 5.1
July 4 10.2
August 5 7.7
September 5 12.9
October 6 15.4
Novanber 4 10.2
December 5 7.7
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 7 17.8
Poisonous gases 2 5.1
Hanging or strangulation 19 48.7
Drowning 4 10.5
Firearms and explosives 4 10.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 1 2.6
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing l 2.6
Other or unspecified means 1 2.6
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 12.8
2—9 years 5 7.7
10 years and over 15 55.5
All life 1 2.
Not ascertainable 17 45.
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in.foraign country 59 100.0
Nerthwestern Europe 12 50.8
Central Europe 12 50.8
Eastern Europe 5 12.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 2.6
Canada and Newfoundland 8 20.5
Other Western hemisphere l 2.6
All other foreign 0 0.0

Table 12 (Continued)

127

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace Of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 5 7.7
Michigan 2 5.1
Other East North Central 1 2.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 27 69.2
Northwestern Europe 10 25.6
Central Europe 11 28.2
Eastern Europe 5 7.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 5.1
Other Western hemisphere 1 2.6
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 9 25.1
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 2 5.2
Michigan 1 2.6
Other East North Central 1 2.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace Of father of suicide in foreign
country 55 84.6
Northwestern Europe 12 50.8
Central Europe 15 55.5
Eastern.Eur0pe 4 10.2
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 7.7
Other Western hemisphere 1 2.6
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 4 10.2
Usual occupation
Professional workers 0 0.0
0 0.0

Semiprofessional workers

128

Table 12 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Farmers and farm managers 1 2.6
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 1 2.6
Service workers, except domestic O 0.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman O 0.0
Farm.1aborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 0 0.0
Housewives 54 87.2
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation. 0 0.0
No occupation given 5 7.7
Retired 0 0.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 55 84.6
Cremation 0 0.0
Removal elsewhere 6 15.4
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 6 100.0
Michigan 6 100.0
Other East NOrth Central 0 0.0
‘Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 15

CHARACTERISTICES OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES BORN IN U.S.

OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number Of cases in group: 160
Age
10—14 0 0.0
15.24 14 8.7
25-54 58 25.8
35-44 58 25.8
45—54 55 20.6
55-64 25 14.4
65.74 11 6.9
75 and over 5 1.8
100.0
Race
White 144 90.0
Black 16 10.0
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 14 8.8
Married 116 72.4
Widowed 11 6.9
Divorced 19 11.9
100.0
Status Of’mate of married persons
Mate still alive, Older than deceased 56
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 22
Mate still alive, same age 8
Mate still alive, age unknown 26
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 66 41.2
Home 77 48.2
Other 17 10.6
100.0

129

150
Table 15 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 15 9.4
February 11 6.9
MG!) 15 9.4
April 12 7.5
May 14 8.8
July 12 7.5
August 18 11.1
September 14 8.8
October 14 8.8
Nevember 11 6.9
December 10 6.1
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 45 28.1
Poisonous gases 11 6.9
Hanging or strangulation 46 28.8
Drowning 12 7.5
Fireanms and explosives 27 16.9
Cutting or piercing instruments 4 2.5
Jumping from high places 9 5.6
Crushing 4 2.5
Other or unspecified means 2 1.2
100.0
Length of residence in.community
1 year or less 16 10.0
2-9 years 50 18.8
10 years and over 62 58.7
All life 1 0.6
Net ascertainable 51 51.9
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 160 100.0
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 57 55.6
‘Middle Atlantic and New England 55 21.9
South 55 55.1
Other U.S. 15 9.4
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 15 (Continued)

151

 

r

_——"——_“

ii

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide .
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 98 61.2
Michigan 4 2.4
Other East North Central 25 15.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 19 11.9
South 46 28.8
Other U.S. 4 2.5
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign
countny 50 18.8
Northwestern Europe 6 5.9
Central Europe 16 10.0
Eastern Europe 2 1.2
Other Europe 1. 0.6
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 1.9
Other Western hemisphere 2 1.2
All other foreign. O 0.0
Not ascertainable 52 20.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 105 64.4
Michigan 5 1.8
Other East North Central 27 16.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 22 15.8
South ' 46 28.8
Other U.S. 5 5.1
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 29 18.1
Northwestern Europe 7 4.4
Central Europe 15 9.5
Eastern Europe 2 1.2
Other Europe 1 0.6
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 1.2
Other Western hemisphere 2 1.2
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 28 17.5
Usual occupation
Professional workers 8 5.0
Semiprofessional workers 2 1.5

Table 15 (Continued)

:1
-:_;

152

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Farmers and farm.managers O 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 2 1.5
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 14 8.8
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 4 2.5
Operatives and kindred workers 1 0.6
Domestic service workers 1 0.6 7
Service workers, except domestic 5 5.1
Farm.laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman 1 0.6
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0
Housewives 99 61.8
Students 1 0.6
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 5 1.9
no occupation given 16 10.0
Retired 5 1.9
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 94 58.7
Cranation 8 5.0
Removal elsewhere 58 56.5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 100.0
Michigan 12 20.7
Other East North Central 16 27.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 12.1
South 21 56.2
Other U.S. . 2 5.4

Removal of suicide in foreign countny

0.0

Table 14

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL.SUICIDES BORN IN U.S.

OUTSIDE or MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

155

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 66
Age
10—14 0 0.0
15-24 7 10.6
25.54 15 22.7
2545: 19 2'3
5- 7 .
55-64 12 18.2
65-74 5 4. 5
75 and over 5 4.5
100.0
Race
White 65 98.5
Black 1 1.5
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Other 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 4 6.1
Married 51 77.2
Widowed 1 1.5
Divorced 10 15.2
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 29
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 5
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 12
Not ascertainable 2
Place of death
Hospital 14 21.2
Home 49 74. 5
Other 5 4.5

13a

Table 14 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 5 4.5
February 5 4.5
March 7 10.6
April 4 6.1
May 7 10.6
June 6 9.1
July' 5 7.6
August 11 16.8
September 5 7.6
October 5 7.6
November 7 10.6
December 5 4.5
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 18 27.5
Poisonous gases 4 6.1
Hanging or strangulation 16 24.2
Drowning 2 5.0
Firearms and explosives 25 54.9
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 5.0
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing O 0.0
Other or unspecified means 1 1.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 8 12.2
2-9 years 15 22.7
10 years and over 14 21.2
All life 1 1.5
Not ascertainable 28 42.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 100.0
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 44 66.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 10.6
South 8 12.1
Other U.S. 7 10.6
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0.0

Table 14 (continued)

155

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 46 69.7
Michigan 5 7.6
Other East North Central 20 50.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 7.6
South 10 15.1
Other U.S. 6 901
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign counp
try 9 15.6
Northwestern Europe 5 4.5
Central EurOpe 6 9.1
Eastern EurOpe O 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 11 16.7
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 51 77.5
Michigan 6 9.1
Other East North Central 20 50.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 12.1
South 11 16.7
Other UeSe 6 9e].
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 10 15.1
Northwestern Europe 5 4.5
Central Europe 7 10.6
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All otherfbreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 5 7.6
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 1.5
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0

Table 14 (Continued)

156

 

 

Characteristic Number

Percent

 

Usual occupation
Farmers and farm.managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers
Domestic service workers
Service workers, except domestic
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foreman
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)
Laborers, except farm
Housewives
Students
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation
No occupation given
Retired

pr
HQOOONHOONO 0

COM

Burial, cremation, or removal of body _
Burial 48
Cremation 1
Removal elsewhere 17

Removal of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other He 3 e

HNNOxCh

Removal of suicide in foreign country

17

O
O
O

O
ONO \DNOOOOUIOOOO

N
HFOOOYHOOWO

....s
ON“
00

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

Table 15

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES

BORN IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

 

l—v-
rI——“

r
_L.

 

15?

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 541
Age
10-14 2 0.4
15-24 58 10.8
25.54 101 18.6
55.44 105 19.4
45—54 105 19.1
55-64 94 17.4
65.74 50 9.2
75 and’over 28 5.2
100.0
Race
White 554 98.7
Black 7 1e}
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japenese O 0.0
Other 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 152 24.4
Married 500 55.5
Widowed 49 9.0
Divorced 58 10.7
Unknown 2 0.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 57
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 18C
Mate still alive, same age 22
Mate still alive, age unknown 58
Not ascertainable 5
Place of death
Hospital 114 21.1
Home 522 59.2
Other 105 19.
100.0

158
Table 15 (continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 55 9.8
February 57 6e 8
March 55 10o}
April 46 8.5
May 49 9.0
June 49 9.0
July' 40 7.4
August 55 6-5
Septanber 45 7.9
October 44 8.1
November 56 6.6
Decanber 54 10. l
100. 0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 56 6.6
Poisonous gases 70 12.9
Hanging or strangulation 128 25.6
Drowning 26 4.8
Firearms and explosives 240 44.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 15 2.8
Jumping from high places 8 1.5
Crushing 12 2.2
Other or unspecified means 6 1.1
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 24 4.4
2-9 years 48 8.9
10 years and over 151 24.2
All life 140 25.9
Not ascertainable 198 56.6
100. O
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 541 100.0
Michigan 541 100.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 511 57.5
Michigan 245 45.2
Other East North Central 55 6.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 22 4.1
South 9 1.7
Other Us 80 2 0.4

139
Table 15 (continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 170 51.4
Northwestern Europe 59 7.2
Central Europe 76 14.0
Eastern Europe 7 12 2.2
Other Europe 5 0.6
Asia 2 0.4 .
Canada and Newfoundland 58 7.0 ‘
Other Western.hemisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 60 11.1

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 279 51.6
Michigan 202 57.4
Other East NOrth Central 52 5.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 28 5.2
South 10 1.8
Other U08. 7 1e}

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 204 57.7
Northwestern Europe 45 8.5
Central Europe 92 17.1
Eastern.Eur0pe 12 2.2
Other Europe 4 0.7
Asia 1 0.2
Canada and Newfoundland 49 9.0
Other western hemisphere l 0.2
All other foreign O 0.0

Not ascertainable 58 10.7

Usual occupation

Professional workers 27 5.0

Semiprofessional workers 2 0.4

Farmers and farm.managers 11 2.0

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 45 7-9

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 42 7.8

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 114 21.1

Operatives and kindred workers 65 11.6

140
Table 15 (continued)

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 42 7.8
Farm.1aborers (wage workers) and farm foreman 0 0.0
Fanm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 22 4.1
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 15 2.8
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 89 16.4
No occupation given 57 6.8
Retired 6.5

100.0

Buria1, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 455 80.0
Cremation 9 1.7
Removal elsewhere 98 18.5

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 96 . 98.0
Michigan 89 90.9
Other East North Central 4 4.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 1.0
South 1 1.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 2.0

Table 16

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES

BORN IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

 

 

 

 

141

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 568
Age
10-14 2 0.4
15-24 45 7.9
25.54 65 11.4
55-44 115 20.0
”-54 92 16.5
55-64 121 21.5
65-74 89 15.7
75 and over 59 6.8
100.0
Race
‘hito 565 99-5
Black 0 0.0
Indian 5 0.5
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
burial Status
Single 150 26.4
Married 515 55.4
udOWd 50 5e,
Divorced 71 12.5
Unknown 2 0.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Ihte still alive, older than deceased 51
”to still alive, younger than deceased 185
Mate still alive,. same age . 29
Mate still alive, age unknown 57
Not ascertainable 15
Place of death
Hospital 72 12.7
Home 420 75.9
Other 76 15.4
100.0

142

Table 16 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date Of death
January 57 6.5
February 59 6.9
March 49 8.6
April 65 11.2
MI: 56 9-8
Jun. 50 8e8
July 40 7.0
August 45 7.9
October 58 10.2
November 55 5.8
December 51 9.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 20 5.5
Poisonous gases 28 4.9
Banging or strangulation 125 22.0
homing 11 1.9
Firearms and explosives 547 61.2
Cutting or piercing instruments 25 4.4
Jmping frail high places 4 0.7
Crushing 5 0.5
Other or unspecified means 5 0.9
100.0
Length of residence in commity
1 year or less 45 7.9
2-9 your- 37 6.5
10 years and over 111 19.5
All life 146 25.7
Not ascertainable ' 229 .
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 568 100.0
Michigan 568 100.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 549 61.4
"1011193 266 “e8
Other East North Central 58 6.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 54 6.0
South 7 1.2
01:11” Ue8e 1}

.0-7

145
Table 16 (Contimied)

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide ’
Birthplace of nether of suicide in foreign
country 154 25.6
Northwestern mrope 27 4.8
Central lurcpe 48 8.4
Eastern Europe 17 5.0
Other Europe 1 0.2
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 41 7.2
Other Western hunisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 85 15.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in U. S. 550 61.7
Michigan ‘ 249 45.8
Other East NOrth Central 40 7.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 55 9.5
South 7 1.2
0th” U.S. 2 00‘

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 149 26.2

Northwestern Nope 46 8.1
Central nirope 50 8.8
Eastern mrope 20 5. 5
Other Europe 1 0.2
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 52 5.6
Other Western henisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 69 12.1
Usual occupation
Professional workers 6 1.1
Sniprofessicnal workers 2 0.4
Farmers and farm managers 192 55.8
PrOprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 29 5.1
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 16 2.8
Craft-sen, foremen, and kindred workers 71 12.5
Operatives and kindred workers 58 6.7

Dunestic service workers 0 0.0

144
Table 16 (Continued)

M

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupati on

Service workers, except domestic 16 2.8
Perm laborers (wage workers) and farm forunsn 11 1.9
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 5 0.5
laborers, except farm 45 7.6
”39'1". 0 Dec
Students 10 1.8
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 79 15.9
No occupation given 21 5.7
Retired 51 5.4

100.0

Burial, crmation, or renoval of body

Burial 480 84.7
Cremation C 0.0
Renoval elsewhere 87 15.5

100.0

Rascval of suicide in U.S. 87 100.0
Michigan 82 - 95.5
Other East North central 4 4.6
Middle Atlantic and New hgland 1 1.1
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 17

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE URBAN suxcmss
BORN IN 11.3., 1945-1949

w

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Tetal number of cases in.group8 966
Age
10-14 5 0.5
15-24 75 7.8 10.1
25.54 169 17.4 22.7
55-44 221 25.0 55.1
45.54 206 21.5 57.2
55.64 160 16. 5 46.1
65.74 85 8.8 50.8
75 and over , 47 4.9 56.2

100.0

Table 18

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE RURAL SUICIDES
BORN IN U.S., 1945-1949 -

 

 

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 764
Age
10-14 2 0.5
15-24 51 6.7 21.6
25- 95 12.2 58.8
5 155 20.5 58.1
45-54 128 16.7 41.9
55—64 16 21.5 84.5
65-74 11 14.9 97.1
75 and over 58 ' 7.6 41.4
100.0

146

Table 19

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES
FOREIGN BORN, 1945-1949

 

 

 

Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
population
Total number of cases in group: 580
Age
lc~l4 0 0.0 0.0
15-24 1 0.5 5.0
25-54 10 2.6 28.5
55-44 52 8.5 57-5
45-54 92 25.2 59.4
55—64 158 56.2 92.6
65—74 76 20.0 99.7
75 and over 51 8.2 56.4
100.0
Race
BlfiCk 1 0e 5
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 1 0.5
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 84 22.1
Married 209 55.0
Widowed 16 . 4.2
Divorced 68 17.9
Unknown 5 0.8
100.0
Status of“mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 22
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 141
Mate still alive, same age 17
Mate still alive, age unknown 25
Not ascertainable 6
Place of death
Hospital 94 24.7
Home 221 58.2
Other 65 17s 1

147

148

Table 19 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 54 8.9
February 52 8.4
March 40 10.6
“a? 56 9.5
July 47 12.5
August 26 6.8
September 50 7.9
October 29 7.6
November 18 4.7
December 21 5.5
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 19 5.0
Poisonous gases 20 5.5
Hanging or strangulation 161 42.4
Drowning 52 8.4
Firearms and explosives 96 25.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 25 6.0
Jumping from.high places 19 5.0
Crushing 5 0.8
Other or unspecified means 7 1.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 18 4.7
2-9 years 54 8.9
10 years and over 249 65.6
All life 5 1.5
Not ascertainable 74 19.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 580 100.0
Northwestern Europe 68 17.9
Central Europe 182 47.9
Eastern Europe 50 15.2
Other Europe 28 7.4
A019. ‘1' 1.0
Canada and Newfoundland 44 11.6
Other Western.hemisphere 2 0.5
All other foreign 2 0.5

149
Table 19 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 5 0.8
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 1 0.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 0.5
South 0 0.0
‘Other U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother Of suicide in foreign
country 518 8508
Northwestern Europe 67 17.6
Central Europe 155 40.5
Eastern Europe 45 11.5
Other Europe 26 6.8
Asia 1 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 26 6.8
Other Western.hemisphere 2 0.5
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 59 15.4
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 5 0.9
Michigan 1 0.5
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England ‘ l 0.5
South 1 0.5
Other U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 555 87.6
Northwestern Europe 72 19.0
Central Europe 155 40.7
Eastern Europe 46 12.1
Other Europe 27 7.1
Asia 2 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 28 7.4
Other Western hemisphere 2 0.5
All other foreign l 0.5
Not ascertainable 44 11.5
Usual occupation
Professional workers 7 1.8
Semiprofessional workers 5 0.8

150
Table 19 (Continued)

 

 

-Characteristic Number Percent

Usual occupation

Farmers and farm managers 4 1.1
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 25 6.6
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 15 5.4
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 75 19.7
Operatives and kindred workers 58 15.5
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 52 8.4
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 1 0.5
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 21 5.5
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 1 0.5
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 77 20.2
No occupation given 14 5.7
Retired 49 12.9
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 524 85.5
Cremation 16 4.2
Rancval el sewhere 40 10. 5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 55 87.5
Michigan 25 62.5
Other East North Central 7 17.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.5
South 1 2.5
Other Us 8 e 1 2s 5

Removal of suicide in foreign country 5 12.5

Table 20

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES
FOREIGN BORN, 1945.1949

W

 

. Rate per
Characteristic Number Percent 100,000
Population
Total number of cases in group: 185
Age
10-14 0 0.0 0.0
15—24 0 0.0 0.0
25—54 1 0.5 10.0
55.44 15 8.2 67.5
45.54 18 9.8 45.2
55-64 56 50.6 101.8
65-74 51 53-5 156-9
75 and over 52 17.4 67.4
100.0
Race
White 185 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 59 21.5
Married 95 50.8
Widowed 10 5.5
Divorced 58 20.8
~ 100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than
deceased 15
Mate still alive, younger
than deceased 55
Mate still alive, same age 8
Mate still alive, age unknown 14
Net ascertainable 5
Place of death
Hospital 17 9-3
Home 146 79.8
Other 20 10.9
100.0

151

Table 20 (Continued)

 

152

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 6 5.5
February 12 6.6
March 18 9.8
April 25 12.6
May 17 9.5
June 26 14.1
July 17 905
August 12 6.6
September 8 4.5
OCtObar 15 8e2
November' 19 10.4
December 10 5.5
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 7 5.8
Poisonous gases 8 4.5
Hanging or strangulation 74 40.5
Drowning 7 5.8
Firearms and explosives 68 57.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 12 6.6
Jumping from high places 1 0.5
Crushing 5 1.6
Other or unspecified means 5 1.6
. 100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 11 6.0
2—9 years 18 9.8
10 years and over 84 45-9
All life 2 1.1
Net ascertainable 68 57.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 185 100.0
NOrthwestern Europe 52 17.5
Central Europe 80 45.7
Eastern Europe 58 20.8
Southern.Europe 5 2.7
A818. 1 Os 5
Canada and Newfoundland 25 15.7
Other Western hemisphere 2 1-1
All other foreign O 0-0

155
Table 20 (Continued)

J E.
_-

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern Europe

Other Europe

Asia

Canada and Newfoundland

Other Western Hemisphere

All other foreign

Not ascertainable

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern Europe

Other Europe

Asia

Canada and Newfoundland

Other Western hemisphere

All other foreign

Not ascertainable

HOHOH

NOHOO

no “"$;“’
c>rac><3<x\s —d

159

41

151

29

0.5
0.0

0.5
0.0

O

<3\N.bi3\x<3<3<n

HMO-J

OOOOENGW—P

H

O
OW‘OOWOOO)

Home
I

O

H

1.5

76. 0

22.5

1.6

82.5

15.9

Table 20 (Continued)

W

Characteristic NUmber Percent

 

Usual occupation

Professional workers 1 0.5
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.5
Farmers and farm managers 74 40.5
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except famm 7 5.8
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 4 2.2
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 16 8.8
Operatives and kindred workers 10 5.5
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 7 5.8
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 6 5.5
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 2 1.1
Laborers, except farm. 14 7.6
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation ' 21 11.5
No occupation given 5 2.7
Retired 15 8.2
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 157 85.8
Cremation. 1 0.5
Removal elsewhere 25 15.7
100.0
Removal of suicide in.U.S. 25 92.0
Michigan 20 80.0
Other East North Central 2 8.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 #.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 8.0

I

Table 21

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES BORN IN U.S.

OUTSIDE or MICHIGAN, 1945—1949

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 425
Age
10-14 1 0.2
15.24 17 4. 0
25.54 68 16. 0
35.44 116 27.4
45.51: 10) 21+. 2
55.61} 66 15.5
65—74 55 3.2
75 and over 19 4.5
100. 0
Race
White 570 87.1
Black 55 12.5
Indian 1 0.2
Chinese 1 0.2
Japanese 0 0.0
100. 0
Marital Status
Single 87 20.5
Married 267 62.8
Divorced 55 8.2
100. 0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 24
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 164
Mate still alive, same age 16
Mate still alive, age unknown 4#
Not ascertainable 19
Place of death
Hospital 128 50. l
Home 209 49.2
Other 88 20.7
100. 0
Date of death
J 59 9.2
February 28 6.6

155

156
Table 21 (Continued)

‘ -
Ll

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
March. 55 7.8
April 52 7.5
May 54 8.0
June 55 8.2
July 55 8.2
August 59 9.2
September 52 7.5
October 44 10.4
Novanber 55 7 . 8
December 41 9.6
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 49 11.5
Poisonous gases 55 8.2
Hanging or strangulation 90 21.1
Drowning 25 5.9
Firearms and explosives 167 59.4
Cutting or piercing instruments 26 6.1
Jumping from high places 19 4.5
Crushing 9 2.1
Other or unspecified means 5 1.2
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 56 8.5
2-9 years ‘ 85 19.5
10 years and over 191 45.0
All life 1 0.2
Not ascertainable 114 26.8
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 425 100.0
Muchigan O 0.0
Other East North Central 145 54.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 97 22.8
Other Ue 8e 40 9e4
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 250 58.8
Michigan 12 2.8
Other East North Central 71 16.?
Middle Atlantic and New England 51 7.5
South 114 26.8

Other U.S. 11 2.6

157

Table 21 (continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign

country 86 20.5
Northwestern Europe 25 5.4
Central Europe 45 10.6
Eastern Europe 7 1.6
Other Europe 4 0.9
Asia 2 0.6
Canada and Newfoundland 5 1.2
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign O 0.0

Not ascertainable 89 20.9

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 248 58.5
Michigan 12 2.8
Other East North Central 75 17.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 46 10.8
South 109 25.6
Other U.S. 8 1.9

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 104 24.5

Northwestern Europe 28 6.6
Central Europe 48 11.5
Eastern Europe 10 2.4
Other Europe 4 0.9
Asia 5 0.7
Canada and Newfoundland 10 2.4
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.2
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable ,75 17.2
Usual occupation
Professional workers 17 4.0
Semiprofessional workers 6 1.4
Farmers and farm managers 7 1.6
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 29 6.8
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 41 9.6
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 100 25.6

158
Table 21 (Continued)

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Operatives and kindred workers 45 10.1
Domestic service'workers O 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 58 9.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 1 0.2
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm, 16 5.8
Housewives ‘ O 0.0
Students 5 0.7
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 72 17.0
No occupation given 25 5.4
Retired 29 6.8

100.0

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 250 58.8
Cremation 25 5.4
Removal elsewhere 152 55.8

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 151 99.4
Michigan 59 25.6
Other East North Central 40 26.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 16 10.5
South 45 28.5
Other Uese 15 8e6

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 0.6

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES BORN IN U.S.

Tuble 22

OUTSIDE OF MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

_:
—_——

 

159

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 196
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15-24 6 8.0
25—54 28 14.2
55—44 40 20.5
45.54 56 18.4
55-64 42 21.4
65.74 25 12.7
75 and over 19 9.7
100.0
Race
White 194 99.0
8180k 1 0e 5
Indian 1 0.5
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanose O 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 26 15.5
Married 124 65.2
Widowed 11 5.6
Divorced 50 15.5
Unknown 5 2.6
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased l7
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 85
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 16
Not ascertainable 5 ‘
Place of death
Hospital 52 16.5
Home 146 74. 5
Other 18 9.2
100.0

Table 22 (Continued)

4
-:_v

160

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 15 6.6
February 16 8.2
March 29 14.9
April 15 7.6
May 19 9-7
June 20 10.2
August 11 5.6
September 9 4.6
October 20 10.2
November 15 6.6
December 15 7.6
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 16 8.2
Poisonous gases 16 8.2
Hanging or strangulation 56 18.4
Drowning 2 1.0
Firearms and explosives 117 59.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 4 2.0
Jumping from high places 1 0.5
Crushing 2 1.0
Other or unspecified means 2 1.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 19 9.7
2-9 years 56 18.4
10 years and over 51 26.0
All life 5 1.5
Not ascertainable 87 44.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 196 100.0
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 108 55.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 56 18.4
South 57 18.9
Other U.S. 15 7.6
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

161

Table 22 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 121 61.7
Michigan 14 7.1
Other East North Central 62 51.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 18 9.2
South 25 11.7
Other U.S. 4 2.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 51 15.8
Northwestern Europe 10 5.1
Central Europe 16 8.2
Eastern Europe 1 0.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 1.5
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.5
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 44 22.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 107 54.6
Michigan 11 5.6
Other East North Central 51 26.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 20 10.2
South 25 11.8
Other U.S. 2 1.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country . 41 20.9

Northwestern Europe 15 7.7
Central Europe 19 9.7
Eastern.Eur0pe 2 1.0
Other Europe 1 0.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 2.0
Other Western.hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 48 24.5

Usual occupation
Professional workers 8 4.1
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.5

162
Table 22 (Continued)

‘L
L

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Farmers and farm managers 58 19.4
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 15 7.7
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 11 5.6
Craftsmen, forenen and kindred workers 59 19.9
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 16 8.2
Service workers, except domestic 5 1.5
Farm.1aborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 4 2.0
Fanm laborers (unpaid family workers) 1 0.5
Laborers, except farm. 8 4.1
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 1 0.5
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 52 16.5
No occupation given 10 5.1
Retired 9 1+. 6
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 127 64.8
Oranation 8 4. 1
Removal elsewhere 61 51.1
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 61 100.0
Michigan 25 57.7
Other East North Central 25 57.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 8.2
South 7 11.5
Other Us Be 5 4' 9

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 25

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, UNDER 20 ms, 19145-1949

 

L1 W -

 

_j ”—m :——‘

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 5

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced
-9~
Status of'mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased
Mate still alive, younger than deceased
Mate still alive, same age
Mate still alive, age unknown

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

18

oooa cows oooom

OO\J|

HOOOHOHHOOOH

H
098
000

N

NM
eeeee

N

C O . .
060000000000

000009000000

N
0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

164
Table 25 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 2 40.0
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation 0 0.0
Drowning O 0.0
Firearms and explosives 5 60.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 0 0.0
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing O 0.0
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 0 0.0
2—9 years 0 0.0
10 years and over 0 0.0
All life 5 60.0
Not ascertainable 2 40.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 5 100.0
Michigan 5 60.0
Other East North Central 1 20.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other UeSe 1 2000
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in U.S. 4 80.0
Michigan 2 40.0
Other East North Central 1 20.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 1 20.0

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 1 20.0
Northwestern Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

OHOOOOO
0800000

e e e e e e
0000000

Table 25 (Continued)

165

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 60.0
Michigan 2 40.0
Other East North Central 1 20.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other Uses 0 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 40.0
Northwestern Europe 1 20.0
Central Europe 0 0.0
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 20.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 20.0
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm.managers O 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 0 0.0
Farm.laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Fhrm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0
Housewives 1 20.0
Students 5 60.0
No occupation given 0 0.0
Retired 0 0.0
100.0
IMariel, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 4 80.0
Cremation 0 0.0
Ranoval elsewhere 1 20.0
100.0
REnnoval of suicide in U.S. 1 100.0
Michigan 0 030
Other East North Central 1 100.0

REnnoval of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 24
CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 20-29 YEARS OFAAGE, 1945-1949
________________________________________________.________________________..

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 69

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Unknown

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased

Mate still alive, younger than deceased

Mate still alive, same age
Mate still alive, age unknown

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
Mar
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

166

c>c>ra~4+4

\NU'IWWN «PI-4W OxODNU'I

10.1

s
54.8
17.4

HH
HO-fi'
O.

C .
kmeoummhuawe

...:

h‘h‘

100.0'

100.0

100.0

100.0

Table 24 (Continued)

 

167

A“
4—

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 51 44.9
Poisonous gases 2 2.9
Hanging or strangulation 9 15.1
Drowning 7 10.1
Firearms and explosives 15 21.8
Cutting or piercing instruments 1 1.4
Jumping from.high places 1 1.4
Crushing 5 4.4
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 10 14.5
2-9 years 15 21.7
10 years and over 10 14.5
All life 7 10.1
Not ascertainable 27 59.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 92.7
Michigan 58 55.2
Other East North Central 10 14.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 2.9
South 11 15.9
Other U.S. 5 4.2
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 5.8
Northwestern Europe 1 1.4
Central Europe 0 0.0
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 1.4
Other Western hemisphere 2 5.0
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 1.4
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 40 58.0
Michigan 14 20.4
Other East North Central 8 11.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 7.2
South 12 17.4
Other UeSe 1 lea

168
Table 24 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 20 29.0
Northwestern Europe 5 4.5
Central Europe 12 17.5
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 1.4
Canada and Newfoundland 2 2.9
Other Western hemisphere 2 2.9

Not ascertainable 9 15.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 45 62.5
Michigan 15 18.9
Other East North Central 11 15.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 . 4.5
South 15 18.9
Other U.S. 5 4.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 22 51.9
Northwestern Europe . 5 4.4
Central Europe 15 18.9
Eastern Europe 1 1.4
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 2 2.9
Canada and Newfoundland 1 1.4
Other Western hemisphere 2 2.9
All other foreign O 0.0

Not ascertainable 4 5.8

Usual occupation

Professional workers 5 4.5

Semiprofessional workers 1 1.4

Farmers and farm managers 1 1.4

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 0 0.0

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 11 16.0

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 2 2.9

Operatives and kindred workers 1 1.4

Domestic service workers 1 1.4

Table 24 (Continued) .

r.—
__—'

Characteristic ~< ,, Number

Percent

169

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 1
. Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0
Laborers, except farm. 0
Housewives 50
Students 5
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 5
No occupation given 10
Retired 0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 44
Cremation 1
Removal elsewhere 24

Removal of suicide in U.S.

Michigan 7
Other East North Central 7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2
South 7
Other U.S. 1

Removal of suicide in foreign country

24

b
O-fi'b NYOOOH
OO\\N WQOOO-P

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

Table 25

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50—59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945—1949

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 91
Race
White 84 92.5
Black 7 7.7
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 9 9.9
Married 76 85.5
Widowed 4 4.4
Divorced 2 2.2
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 45
Mate still alive, younger than deceased lO
Mate still alive, same age 4
Mate still alive, age unknown 15
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 58 41.8
Home 44 48.5
Other 9 9-9
100.0
Date of death
January 3 5 e 5
February 8 8.8
March 11 12.1
April 11 12.1
May 10 11.0
June 6 6.6
July 5 5-5
August 4 4.4
September 15 14.2
October 9 9-9
November 8 8.8
December 3 5-3
100.0

170

171
Table 25 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 22 ‘24.2
Poisonous gases 7 7.7
Hanging or strangulation 27 29.
Drowning 4 4.4
Firearms and\pxplosives 19 20.8
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 2.2
Jumping from high places 8 8.8
Crushing 1 1.1
Other or unspecified means 1 1.1
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 6 6.6
2-9 years 20 22.0
10 years and over 54 57.5
All life 8 8.8
Not ascertainable 25 25.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 79 86.8
Michigan 56 59.5
Other East North Central 9 9.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 12 15.2
South 17 18.7
Other U.S. , 5 5.5
IBirthplace of suicide in foreign country 12 15.2
Northwestern Europe 2 2.2
Central Europe 1 1.1
Eastern EurOpe 1 1.1
Other Europe 2 2.2
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 6 6.6
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 51 56.0
Michigan 18 19.8
Other East North Central 6 6.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 6.6
South 18 19.7
Other U.S. 5 5.5

172
Table 25 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 29" 51.9
Northwestern Europe . 4 4.4
Central Europe 12 15.2
Eastern Europe 5 5.5
Other Europe 2 2.2
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 7.7
Other Western hemisphere l 1.1
All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 11 12.1
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 54 59.5
Michigan 21 25.0
Other East North Central 7 7.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 8.8
South 16 17.6
Other U.S. 2 2.2
IBirthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 29 51.9
Northwestern Europe 5 5.5
Central Europe 15 14.5
Eastern Europe 5 5.5
Other Europe 2 2.2
Asia 1 1.1
Canada and Newfoundland 7 7.7
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 8 8.8
Uanal occupation
Professional workers 1 1.1
Semiprofessional workers 1 1.1
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
IProprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 10 11.0
Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 2 2.2
Operatives and kindred workers 1 1.1

Table 25 (Continued)

173

 

 

Characteristic Number

Percent

 

Usual occupation
Domestic service workers
Service workers, except domestic
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)
Laborers, except farm
Housewives
Students
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation
No occupation given
Retired

0’\
OO\-l>’ ONOOO-fi’O

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 71
Cremation. 1
Removal e1 sewhere ' 19

Removal of suicide in U.S.
Michigan 1
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other Us Be

OOin-‘H

Removal of suicide in foreign country

18

00k OHbOOkO

Ox
OO\¢' OEDOOO-PO

100.0

100.0

94.7

5.}

Table 26

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 40.49 YEARS or AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

Characteristic Number . Percent
Total number of cases in group: 101
Race
Black 2 2.0
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 7 6.9
Married 82 81.2
Widowed 8 7.9
Divorced 4 4.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 44 45.5
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 14 15.9
Mate still alive, same age 6 5.9
Mate still alive, age unknown 16 15.7
Not ascertainable 1 1.0
100.0
Place of death
Hospital 50 29.7
Home 59 58.4
Other 12 11.9
100.0
Date of death
January 8 7.9
February 2 2.0
March 7 6.9
April 5 5.0
May 10 9.9
June 15 12.9
July 6 5.9
August 15 12.9
September 8 7.9
October 11 10.9
Novanber 8 7.9
December 10 9.9

174

100.0

175
Table 26 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 18 17.8
Poisonous gases 11 10.9
Hanging or strangulation 40 59.6
Drowning 8 7.9
Firearms and explosives 15 12.9
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 5.0
Jumping from high places 6 5.9
Crushing 2 2.0
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 5.0
2-9 years 7 6.9
10 years and over 50 49.5
All life 7 6.9
Not ascertainable 52 51.7
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 75 74.5
Michigan 58 57.6.
Other East North Central 11 10.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 12 11.9
South 12 11.9
Other U.S. 2 2.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 26 25.7
Northwestern Europe 4 4.0
Central Europe 9 8.8
Eastern Europe 2 2.0
Other Europe 5 5.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 8 7.9
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace omeother of suicide in U.S. 45 44.5

Michigan 15 14 8
Other East North Central 12 11 9
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 5.9
South ' 11 10 9
Other U.S. l l O

176

Table 26 (Continued) (

 

 

L ‘——‘
- - ‘

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 41 40.6
Northwestern Europe 7 6.9
Central Europe 15 14.8
Eastern Europe 5 _ 5.0
Other Europe 4 4.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 12 11.9
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 15 14.9

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 47 . 46.5
Other East North Central 11 10.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 9.9
South 10 9.9
Other U.S. 0 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 41 40.6
Northwestern Europe 5 5.0
Central Europe 18 17.7
Eastern Europe 4 4.0
Other Europe 4 4.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 10 9.9
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 15 12.9

UBual occupation

Professional workers 5 5.0
Semiprofessional workers 1 1.0
Farmers and farm.managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except farm 2 2.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 6 5.8
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 5 5.0
Operatives and kindred workers . O 0.0
Immestic service workers 2 2.0

Table 26 (Continued)

177

 

 

 

_- I

t

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 2 2.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen l 1.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0
Housewives 75 72. 2
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 1 l . 0
No occupation given 4 4.0
Retired 1 1.0
‘ 100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 71 70.5
Cremation 4 4.0
Removal elsewhere 26 25.7
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 24 92.5
Michigan 12 46.2
Other East North Central 5 11.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 11.5
South 6 25.1
Other U.S. 0 0.0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 7.7

Table 27

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50.59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

WT‘
W

 

178

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 105
Race
White 105 100.0
_Black 0 0.0
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 5 2.9
Married 72 70.0
Widowed 9 8.7
Invorced 19 18.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
= Mate still alive, older than deceased 56
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 17
the still alive, same age 5
flute still alive, age unknown 15
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 28 27.2
Home 60 58.2
Other 15 14.6 -
100.0
Date of death
January 9 8.7
February 4 5.9
March 8 7.8
April 8 7.8
May 11 10.7
Juno 9 807
July 11 10.7
August 15 14.5
September 7 6.8
October 7 6.8
November 7 6.8
December 7 6.8

100.0

Table 27 (Continued)

179

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 20 19.4
Poisonous gases 9 8.7
Hanging or strangulation 58 56.8
Drowning 15 12.6
Firearms and explosives 11 10.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 4.9
Jumping from.high places 5 4.9
Crushing l 1.0
Other or unspecified means 1 1.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 7 6.8
2-9 years . 9 8.7
10 years and over 47 45.6
All life 12 11.7
Not ascertainable 28 27.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 71 68.9
Michigan 44 42.6
Other East North Central 14 15.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 5.9
South 8 708
Other U.S. l 1.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 52 51.1
Northwestern Europe 2 1.9
Central Europe 17 16.5
Eastern Europe ' 6 5.8
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 6.8
Other Western hemiSphere 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 55 52.0
Michigan 15 14.6
Other East North Central 10 9-7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 1.9
South 6 5.8
Other U.S. O 0.0

180

Table 27 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 48 46.6
Northwestern Europe 10
Central Europe ' 28 2 .
Eastern Europe 5
Other Europe 0
Asia 0
Canada and Newfoundland 5
. Other Western hemisphere 0

Not ascertainable 22 21.4,

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 27 26.2
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other UeSe

Hm .t-ooxo
wkywm
O\O\OODO\

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 58 56.5
Northwestern Europe 15 12.6
Central Europe 50 29.1
Eastern Europe 7
Other Europe 0
Asia 0
Canada and Newfoundland 8
Other Western hemisphere 0

Not ascertainable 18 17.5

Usual occupation
Professional workers
Semiprofessional workers
Farmers and farm managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers
Domestic service workers

OHO
0H0
ee

0 O I
O\O\O\OO OOO

ONNWH
OHHNH
O

181

Table 27 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

EV

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 5 2.9
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except fanm O 0.0
Housewives 76 75.9
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 2 1.9
No occupation given 10 9.7
Retired 5 2.9

100.0

Burial, cranation, or removal of body

Burial 79 76.7
Cremation 5 2.9
Removal elsewhere 21 20.4

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 18 85.7
Michigan 8 58.1
Other East North Central 5 14.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 9.5
South 5 14.5
Other U.S. 2 9.5

Removal of suicide in foreign country 5 14.5

Table 28

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60—69 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 57
Race
White 57 100.0
Black 0 0.0
IIndian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 6 10.4
Married 25 45.9
WidOWOd 1 108
Divorced 25 45.9
100.0
Place of death
Hospital 22 58.6
Bone 29 50.9
Other 6 10e§
Date of death
January 5 5-3
February 2 5.5
March 9 15s?
April 5 5.5
Key 5 8.8
June 10 11.5
‘Jitly' 8 l .0
August 3 5-3
September 5 5-5
October 6 10e5
November 2 5.5
Decanbor 3 5.3
0&an of death 10000
POisoning (solid or liquid) 8 14.0
Oisonous gases 4 7.0
Hanging or strangulation 24 42.2
Drowning 5 8.8
'firearms and explosives 4 7.0

182

'lhble 28 (Continued)

185

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause. of death
Cutting or piercing instruments 6 10.5
Jumping from high places 4 7.0
Crushing o 0.0
Other or unspecified menas 2 5.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 7 12.5
2-9 years 0 0.0
10 years and over 21 56.8
All life 4 7.0
Not ascertainable 25 45.9
IWOO
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 59 . 68.4
“101118“ 21 56e8
Other East North Central 6 10.5
Middle Atlantic and New England— 4 7.0
Other U.S. 5 505
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 18 51.6
Northwestern Europe 5 8.8
Central Europe 6 10.5
Eastern Mops O 0.0
Other Europe 4 7.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 3 5.)
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 14 24.6
Michigan 5 Sea
Other East North Central 2 5.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 10.5
South 1 1.8
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 51 54.4
Northwestern Mops 9 15.8
Central Europe 15 22.8
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 4 7.0

184
Table 28 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 8.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable ' 12 21.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 15 26.4
Michigan 5 5.5
Other East North Central 2 5.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 12.5
South 2 5e,
Other U.S. 1 108
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 52 56.1
Northwestern Europe 15 22.8
Central Europe 11 19.5
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Drops 4 7.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland - 4 7.0
Other Isstern hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 10 17.5
UDual occupation
Professional workers 2 5.5
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 5 5.5
Oraftanen, foremen, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 2 5.5
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0

Table 28 (Continued)

T
-—

 

 

 

185

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Housewives 41 71.8
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation l 1.8
No occupation given 5 8.8
Retired 5 5.5
100.0
Burial, cranation, or removal of body
Burial 40 70.2
Cranation 6 10.5
Rancval elsewhere ll 19.5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 10 90.0
Michigan 9 80.0
Other East North Central 1 10.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other 0.6. O 0.0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 10.0

Table 29

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE URBAN SUICIDES 1N4
MICHIGAN, 70-79 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

_:__ _—
—: m:— I I

_r
—-

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total mmber of cases in group: 50
Race
hmdte 50 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 4 15.5
lbrried 8 ‘ 26.7
Widowed l 5.5
Divorced 17 56.7
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
IMate still alive, older than deceased 5
Nate still alive, younger than deceased 2
Nate still alive, same age 1
Place of death
Hospital 15 43.3
Home 16 55.1;
Other 1 505
100.0
Date of death
January 2 6.7
February 5 10.0
lharch 1 5.2
4rut-11 5 10.0
thy 2 6.7
Jun. 5 16.6
July 2 6.7
Angust 2 6.7
Beptmber 2 6e?
(Notaber 5 10.0
Novanber 5 10.0
December 2 6.7
100.0

186

Table 29 (Continued)

-
-:_

187

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 8 26.7
Poisonous gases 5 10.0
Hanging or strangulation 11 56.6
Drowning 2 6.7
Firearms and explosives O 0.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 6.7
Jumping from high places 4 15.5
Crushing O 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 2 6.7
2-9 years 2 6.7
10 years and over 9 50.0
All life 5 10.0
Not ascertainable 14 46.6
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 17 56.7
Michigan 12 40.1
Other East North Central 4 15.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 5.5
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 15 45.5
Northwestern Europe 1 5.5
Central Europe 9 50.0
Eastern Europe 1 5.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 6.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
'Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 9 50.0
Michigan 5 10.0
Other East North Central 5 10.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.7
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 1 5.5
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country’ 14 46.7
Northwestern Europe 2 6.7

188

Table 29 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country

Central Europe 9 50.0
Eastern Europe 1 5.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 6.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 7 25.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 11 56.?
Michigan 2 6.7
Other East North Central 2 6.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 20.0
South 0 0.0
Other Dogs 1 5e}
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 16 55.5
Northwestern Europe 5 10.0
Central Europe 10 55.5
Eastern Europe 1 5.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 6.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 5 10.0
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 5.5
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 1 5.5
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Dmnestic service workers 5 10.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 1 5.5

189
Thble 29 (Continued)

M

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 0 0.0
Housewives 16 55.4
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation O 0.0
No occupation given 5 16.7
Retired 5 10.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 20 66.7
Cremation, l 5.5
Removal e1 sewhere 9 50. 0
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 9 100.0
Michigan 5 55.6
Other East North Central 4 44.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 50

CHARACTERISTICS or mum URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60 YEARS AND OVER, 1945-1949

 

 

Characteristics

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 6

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased
Mate still alive, younger than deceased
Mate still alive, same age

Place of death.
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October

' November
December

190

OOOOO\

OOH U'IOI-‘O

OO\O

HOP‘HWOOOOOOO

H
0.8?
000

O O.
QONVOOOOOOOO

Nooooooo

H HH
O\0.0\O\

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

191

Table 50 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid)
Poisonous gases

Hanging or strangulation
Drowning

Firearms and explosives
Cutting or piercing instruments
Jumping from high places
Crushing

Length of residence in community

1 year or less
2-9 years

10 years and over
All life

Not ascertainalbe

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Northwestern Europe
~Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

Not ascertainable

Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

OOONN NI—‘OWO OOOONI’DON

OOOOOHO

OOOHO

\N

\NW
00.0.0§N\NO\N
OOOOWWO-‘f

3:50:30

100.0

100.0

66.7

16.6

16.7
16.7

Table :0 (Continued)

192

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 55.5
Northwestern Europe 1 16.7
Central Europe 1 16.6
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 50.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 16.7
Michigan 0 0.0
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 16.7
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 55.5
Northwestern Europe 1 16.7
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 1 16.6
Other Europe 0 0.0
A818. 0 0e 0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 50.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Cremation 0 0.0
Removal elsewhere 2 55.5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 100.0
Michigan 1 50.0
other East North Central 1 50.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0. 0
other U.S. 0 0.0
RemOVal of suicide in foreign country 0.0

Thble 51

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN

MICHIGAN, UNDER 20, 1945—1949

 

w:—

w

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 5
Race
White 4 80.0
Black 1 20.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 4 80.0
Married 1 20.0
Widowed 0 0.0
Divorced O 0.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased O
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 0
Mate still alive, same age 0
Mate still alive, age unknown 1
Place of death
Hospital 2 40.0
Home 2 40.0
Other 1 20.0
100.0
Date of death
January 1 20.0
February 1 20.0
March 1 20.0
April 0 0.0
May 0 0.0
June 0 0.0
July 0 0.0
August 0 0.0
September 1 20.0
October 0 0.0
November 1 20.0
December 0 0.0

195

100.0

Table )1 (Continued)

194

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid)
Poisonous gases
Hanging or strangulation
Drowning
Firearms and explosives
Cutting or piercing instruments
Jumping from high places
Crushing

Length of residence in community
1 year or lose
2-9 years
10 years and over
All life
Not ascertainable

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East Nerth Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

OHONN \NHOHO OOOWOOON

HNOON

OWOHH

0
00000000

0008.0005-

20.0
20.0
0.0
60.0
0.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

100.0

100.0
0.0

100.0

195

Table 51 (Continued)

4

H

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country _ O 0.0

Usual occupation

Professional workers

Semiprofessional workers

Farmers and farm managers

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers

Operatives and kindred workers

Domestic service workers

Service, except domestic

Farm.1aborers (wage workers) and farm foremen

Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)

Laborers, except farm

Housewives

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

000
see

000 00000000000 000

N
50000000000 000

N00000000H0

OHH
NM

000
C.

100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial
Cremation
Rancval e1 sewhere

NOW
0
e
0

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 2 100.0
Michigan ‘
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

000N0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 52

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 20—29 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 24

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased

Mate still alive, younger than deceased

Mate still alive, same age
Mate still alive, age unknown

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
‘August
September
Dc tob er
Novanb or
December

196

00004:"

00"“

NONN

ll
12

\NNNHNWNNJI'NOH

Res
[000

O O

...s
a>o>oaoroanagao>o\oac>;r

0
WWW NWWWW (DU 0 N

H

...:

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

197
Table 52 (Continued)

_»
t—

Characteristic

Number Percent

 

Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid)
Poisonous gases
Hanging or strangulation
Drowning

N N
O
Q 0

Firearms and explosives
Cutting or piercing instruments
Jumping from high places
Crushing

Other or unspecified means

Length of residence in community
1 year or lose

2—9 years

10 years and over

All life

Not ascertainable

...:
NHOOHOUOU'I

HOJ-‘NN

.h-
erssrooo
\HNOOOOGOQ

I? H

\JIOOxgo)
e e e e

(DONNW

100.0

. lO0.0
Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 24 100.0

Michigan

Other East North Central

Middle Atlantic and New England
South

Other U.S.

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

,Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern Europe

Other Europe

Asia

Canada and Newfoundland

Other Western hemisphere

#WOHO NUIOW-L‘

00000t-‘0

20

”N

N
(1)0070

41.6
4.2
000

20.8

16.7

00000-b‘0
00000N0

0.0

85.5

4.2

198
Table 52 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Not ascertainable 5 12.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 20 85.5
Michigan 10 41.7
Other East North Central 2 8.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 8.5
South 5 12.5
Other U.S. 5 12.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 1 4.2
Northwestern Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

O

00000H0
00000-‘3’0
00000100

Not ascertainable . 5 12.5

Usual occupation

Professional workers

Semiprofessional workers

Farmers and farm managers

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers

Operatives and kindred workers

Domestic service workers

Service workers, except domestic

Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen

Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)

laborers, except farm

Housewives

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

P‘CDC)
“'99
nac>c3

g0000000k0

H
00\0000000|—'0

0
00M 00\0000000N0

OUIH
to
00? 0

100.0

Table 52 (Continued)

 

 

 

199

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 15 62.5

Cremation l 4.2

Rancval elsewhere 8 55.5

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 100.0

Michigan 4 50.0

Other East North Central 0 0.0

Middle Atlantic and New England 1 12.5

South 2 25.0

Other UeSe 1 12.5
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0.0

Table 55

CHARACTERISTICS or FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50—59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

_—.__:

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 57
Race '
White 57 00.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 2 5.4
Married 51 85.8
Widowed 2 5.4
Divorced 2 5.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons .
Mats still alive, older than deceased 18
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 5
Mats still alive, same age 0
Mate still alive, age unknown 8
Not ascertainable 2
Place of death
Hospital 11 29.7
Ham, 25 67e6
Other 1 2.7
100.0
Date of death
January 5 8.1
February 0 0.0
Phrch 4 10.8
April 6 16.5
May 4 10.8
June 1 2.7
July 1 2.7
August 4 10.8
September 4 10.8
October 2 5.4
November 4 10.8
December 4 10.8
200 100.0

Table 55 (Continued)

201

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 15 55.2
Poisonous gases 1 2.7
Hanging or strangulation 5 15.5
Drowning 2 5.
Firearms and explosives 15 55.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 5.
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing 1 2.7
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 2 5.4
2-9 years 8 21.6
10 years and over 9 24.4
All life 6 16.2
Not ascertainable 12 52.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 29 78.4
Michigan 19 51.4
Other East North Central 5 15.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.7
South 2 5.4
Other U.S. 2 5.4
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 8 21.6
Northwestern Europe 5 8.1
Central Europe 0 0.0
Eastern Europe 1 2.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 8.1
Other Western hemisphere 1 2.7
All other foreign O 0.0
'Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 20 54.1
Michigan 9 24.4
Other East North Central 5 15.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.4
South 1 2.7
Other U.S. 5 8.1

Table 55 (Continued)

202

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 12 52.4
Northwestern Europe 5 15.5
Central Europe ' 5 8.1
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 8.1
Other Western.hemisphere 1 2.7
Not ascertainable 5 15.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 22 59.5
Michigan 11 29.8
Other East North Central 5 15.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.4
South 2 5.4
Other UeSe 2 sea
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 12 52.4
Northwestern Europe 5 15.5
Central Europe 1 2.7
Eastern Europe 1 2.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 10.8
Other Western hemi sphere 1 2.7
Not ascertainable 5 8.1
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 2.7
Semiprofessional workers 1 2.7
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 1 2.7
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 1 2.7
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 1 2.7

203
Table 55 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic O 0.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 0 0.0
Housewives 27 75.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation l 2.7
No occupation given 4 10.8
Retired 0 0.0

100.0

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 55 89.2
Cremation O 0.0
Removal elsewhere 4 10.8

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 4 100.0
Michigan 2 50.0
Other East North Central 1 25.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 25.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 54

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, #0419 YEARS OF AGE, 1945—1949

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 45

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased

Mate
Mate
Mate

still alive,
still alive,
still alive,

younger than deceased
same age
age unknown

Not ascertainable

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
IMarch
April
lMay
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

\N
#I—‘NW OOOOW

NOD-trivia

51

\NW |"‘\N O\\fl\fl km O\\N H

100.0

100.0

100.0

PH HH

mHNmWHOxmt-‘WCAN
eoeooeeoee

~4raro-4\xrd-q\0u4\x-qto

H
e

0

100.0

Table 54 (Continued)

 

 

205

. .—‘_~-——-¢..-.- -

 

Characteristic NUmber Percent
Cause of death.
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 15 28.9
Poisonous gases 5 6.7
Hanging or strangulation 12 26.7
Drowning 2 4.4
Firearms and explosives 12 26.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 1 2.2
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing O 0.0
Other or unspecified means 2 4.h
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 7 15.6
2-9 years 5 11.1
10 years and over 4 8.9
All life 2 4.A
Not ascertainable 27 60.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 41 91.2
Michigan 25 51.2
Other East North Central 1h 51.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.2
South 1 2.2
Other U.S. 2 4.4
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 4 8.8
Northwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 2 4.4
Eastern Europe 1 2.2
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 2.2
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 29 64.4
Michigan 15 29.0
Other East North Central 11 24.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 4.4
South 1 2.2
Other U.S. 2 #.4

206
Table 54 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 12 26.7
Northwestern Europe 4 8.9
Central Europe 5 11.2
Eastern Europe 2 4.4
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0 ’
Canada and Newfoundland l 2.2
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 4 8.9

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 28 62.2
Michigan 15 55.4
Other East North Central 9 20.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.2
South 1 2.2
Other U.S. 2 4.4

Birthplace of father Of suicide in foreign
country 14 51 . 2

Northwestern Europe 4 8.9
Central Europe 7 15.7
Eastern Europe 2 4.4
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland l 2.2
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 5 6.6
Usual occupation
Professional workers 2 4.4
Semiprofessional workers O 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 1 2.2
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

207

Table 54 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 5
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O
Fhrm laborers (unpaid family workers)

Laborers, except farm

Housewives 5

Students I

Information inadeouate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

O-b‘O OU'IOO

100.0
Burial, removal of body, or cremation
Burial 52
Cremation 0
Removal elsewhere 15

Removal of suicide in.U.S. 15 100.0
Michigan 1
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other Ue Se

OOONH

IRemoval of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 55

CHARACTERISTICS OF' mum RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50.59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 60

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Unknown

Status of mate of married persons

Mate
Mate
Mate
Mate

still alive,
still alive,
still alive,
still alive,

Older than deceased
younger than deceased

same age
age unknown

Not ascertainable

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

3Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

208

#-
HN-h‘vlw OOOOO

\NOONCD-fi'

age,

...:
\NW OWWWN town MN

H
see

H r-I

O
0 ON“ OWN-‘1 OWVN

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Table 55 (Continued)

209

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 9 15.0
Poisonous gases 2 5.5
Hanging or strangulation 27 45.
Drowning 6 10.0
Firearms and explosives 11 18.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 8.5
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing O 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 8.5
2-9 years 6 10.0
10 years and over 18 50.0
All life 7 11.7
Not ascertainable 24 40.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 48 80.0
Michigan 55 58.5
Other East North Central 10 16.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.5
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 1 1.7
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 12 20.0
Northwestern Europe 4 6.7
Central Europe 5 8.2
Eastern Europe 1 1.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 1.7
Canada and Newfoundland l 1.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 27 45.0
Michigan 18 50.0
Other East NOrth Central 6 10.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 5.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

210
Table 55 (Continued)

fr :— -:___
‘L T ’—

 

Characteristic » . Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 20 55.5
Northwestern Europe 1
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia ,
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

ONOONOxO

Not ascertainable 15 21.7

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 28 46.7
Michigan 1
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other Us Se

CONGO“

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 25 58.5
Northwestern Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

o-troomomo

Not ascertainable 9 15°°

Usual occupation
Professional workers
Semiprofessional workers
Farmers and farm managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers
Domestic servic e workers

NOW
0 0

HI—‘OO': \NOUl
NNOO‘I \NOO

PJP‘C)C)F4

Table 55 (Continued)

211

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation -
Service workers, except domestic O 0.0
Fhrm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 1 1.7
Housewives 45 71.6
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation l 1.7
No occupation given 4 6.7
Retired 5 5.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 49 81.7
Cremation O 0.0
Removal elsewhere 11 18.5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 11 100.0
Michigan 11 100.0
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 36

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60.69 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

Characteristic

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 53

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased
Mate still alive, younger than deceased
Mate still alive, same age
Mate still alive, age unknown

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

212

OOOOW

\OHHN

NJ-‘UlO

O\0\N 0 NW NW NWWW

100.0

100.0

100.0

.0 O. O O
OHHOHHD—‘HHHHH

N
ON‘OOOx‘O 900 O\\O\O\O

100.0

Table 56 (Continued)

215

 

 

Characteristic

1'

Cause Of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid)
Poisonous gases

Hanging or strangulation
Drowning

Firearms and explosives

Cutting or piercing instruments
Jumping from high places
Crushing

Other or unspecified means

Length of residence in community

1 year or less
2-9 years

a 10 years and over
All life

Not ascertainable

Birthplace Of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Northwestern Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Number

OOOONHW OOONO JPUI\O\NN HOOO‘JUIQO-D'

OWW HN

27

16

Percent

“Dh‘é: e:
“OPP?V.PP
<3<D<D¢3Iur0\n<31a

pHN
NWfi‘OQ
WNWHH

OOOPS

OOO?0\\N\O
OOOOHOH

100.0

100.0

81.8

18.2

214

Table 56 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace Of mother of suicide in foreign

country 11 55.5

Northwestern Europe 4 12.1

Central Europe 5 15.2

Eastern Europe 1 5.0

Other Europe 0 0.0

Asia 0 0.0

Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Canada and Newfoundland l 5.0

All other foreign O 0.0
Not ascertainable 6 18.2
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 16 48.5
'HMichigan 9 27.2

Other East North Central 0 0.0

Middle Atlantic and New England 5 15.2

South 2 6.1

Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 14 42.4

Northwestern Europe 5 15.2

Central Europe 5 15.2

Eastern Europe 2 6.0

Other Europe 0 0.0

Asia 0 0.0

Canada and Newfoundland 2 6.0

Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 5 9.1

Usual occupation

Professional workers 0 0.0 ’
Semiprofessional workers O 0.0
Farmers and farm managers O 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except fanm 1 5.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 1 5.0

215

Table 56 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)

Laborers, except farm

Housewives 5

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

0H0 0000

100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial
Cremation
Renoval e1 sewhere

N
ODOUI

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 8 100.0
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other UsSe

OOOHNJ

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 57

CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 70 YEARS AND OVER, 1945—1949

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 55
Race
White 55 00.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 1 5.0
Married 14 42.4
Widowed 2 6.1
Divorced 16 48.5
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 6
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 4
Mate still alive, same age 0
Mate still alive, age unknown 5
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 6 18.2
Home 24 72.7 ,
Other ‘ 5 9.1
- . 100.0
Date of death
January 5 9e 1
February 1 5.0
March 5 9.1
April 1 5.0
May 3 9.1
June 4 12.1
July 4 12.1
August 5 9.1
September 2 6.11
October 4 12.1
November 5 9.1
December 2 6.1
100.0

216

217
Table 57 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 6 18.2
Poisonous gases 1 5.0
Hanging or strangulation 12 56.4
Drowning 8 24.2
Firearms and.explosives 5 9.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 6.1
Jumping from high places 0 0.0'
Crushing 0 0.0
Other or unspecified means 1 5.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 9.1
2-9 years 5 9.1
10 years and over 7 21.2
All life 7 21.2
Not ascertainable 13 59.4
0 100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 24 72.7
Michigan 19 57.5 -
Other East North Central 5 9.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.1
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 9 27.5
Northwestern Europe 2 6.1
Central Europe 4 12.1
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 9.1
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Birthplace Of mother of suicide in U.S. 9 27.2
Michigan 5 9.1
Other East North Central 1 5.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 15.1
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

218
Table 57 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign
country 12 ‘ 56.4

Northwestern Europe‘ 4 12.2
Central Europe 8 24.2
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 12 56.4
Birthplace of father Of suicide in U.S. 12 56.4
Michigan 2 ' 6. 1
Other East North Central 2 6.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 ' 24.2
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 14 42.4

Northwestern Europe 5 15.2
Central Europe 8 24.2
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 5.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 7 21.2
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 5.0
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0

Proprietors, managers, and Officials,
except farm

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers

Operatives and kindred workers

Domestic servic e workers

HOOOO
\NO?OO
OOOOO

Table 57 (Continued)

 

 

_ -.—.-
—. ———...

—-_ m‘

vfi

219

 

 

Characteristic Number

Percent

 

Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers)

Laborers, except farm

Housewives 2

Students

Information inadequate for classification of
occupation

No occupation given

Retired

O\OOO

hih‘C)

Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial
Cremation
Removal elsewhere

N
boxo

Removal Of suicide in U.S. 4
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

COCO-13'

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0

Rmssoo

O)
I
000 000000

\N\.)IO

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

Table 58

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, UNDER 20 YEARS, 1945—1949

t
I

:—
1

A

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 25
Race
White 4 96.0
Black 1 4.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 5 92.0
Married 2 8.0
Widowed O 0.0
Divorced O 0.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased O
Mate still alive, younger than deceased l
Mate still alive, same age 0
Mate still alive, age unknown 0
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 8 52.0
Home 14 56.0
Other 5 12.0
100.0
Date of death
January 5 20.0
February 4 16.0
March 5 20.0
April 0 0.0
May 5 12.0
June 5 12.0
July 0 0.0
August 1 4.0
September 0 0.0
October 2 8.0
November 1 4.0
December 1 4.0

100.0

221

Table 58 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid)
Poisonous gases

Hanging or strangulation
Drowning

Firearms and explosives
Cutting or piercing instruments
Crushing

Jumping from high places

Length of residence in community

1 year or less
2-9 years

10 years and over
All life

Not ascertainable

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S.
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country

Northwestern Europe

Central Europe

Eastern Europe

Asia

Canada and Newfoundland

Other Western hemisphere

Not ascertainable

...:
OVIO-‘Osfl OWOJ-‘CD NHNNW OOOO'U—‘NOH

ONOOWO

25

19

o ee
OOOOOOOO

E M
OPS) me-h’

to: H
03 oooom
.00.
00000

100.0

100.0

100.0

0.0

76.0

20.0

4.0

. 222
Table 58 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 20 80.0
Michigan 6 24.0
Other East North Central 8 52.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 5 20.0
Other U.S. 1 4.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 4 16.0

Northwestern Europe 0 0.0

Central Europe 2 8.0

Eastern Europe 0 0.0

Other Europe 0 0.0

Asia 0 0.0

Canada and Newfoundland 2 8.0

Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable l 4.0

Usual occupation

Professional workers 0 0.0
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 0 0.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 5 12.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 5 12.0
Operatives and kindred workers 1 4.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 2 8.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 1 4.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 1 4.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 11 44.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation l 4.0
NO occupation given 2 8.0
Retired 0 0.0

100.0

225
Table 58 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number ‘Percent

 

Burial, crematipn, or removal of body
Burial 21 84 0
Cremation 0 0.0
Removal elsewhere 4 l6 0
100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 4 100.0
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

HNOOH

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 59

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 20.29 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

_ *T
J

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 155
Race
White 119 89.5
Black 14 10.5
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 69 51.9
Married 57 42.8
Widowed 6 4.5
Divorced l 0.8
100.0
Place of death
Hospital 52 24.1
Home 65 48.8
Other 56 27.1
100.0
Date of death
January 15 11e2
February 4 5.0
March 8 6.0
April 9 6.8
May 15 9.8
June 9 6.8
July 9 6.8
August 11 8.5
September 11 8.5
October 15 11.5
November 6 4.5
December 25 17.2
100.0
Cause Of°death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 14 10.6
Poisonous gases 18 15.5
Hanging or strangulation 54 25.6
Drowning 8 6.0

224

Table 59 (Continued)

225

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Firearms and explosives 55 59.9
Cutting or piercing instruments 1 0.7
Jumping from high places 5 2.5
Crushing 1 0.7
Other or unspecified means 1 0.7
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 8 6.0
2—9 years 19 14.5
10 years and over 21 15.8
All life 29 21.8
Not ascertainable 56 42.1
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 127 95.5
Michigan 91 68.4
Other East North Central‘ 14 10.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 5.5
South 15 11.5
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 5 5.8
Northwestern Europe 1 0.8
Central Europe 1 0.8
Eastern Europe 1 0.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 0.8
Other Western.hemisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 1 0.7
Not ascertainable l 0.7
Birthplace of mother Of suicide in U.S. 90 67.7
Michigan 55 59.9
Other East North Central 15 9.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 5.0
South 20 15.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

226
Table 59 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother Of suicide in foreign

country 52 24.1
Northwestern Europe 4 5.0
Central Europe 15 11.5
Eastern Europe 2 1.5
Other Europe 2 1.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 9 6.8

_ Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 11 8.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 92 69.2
Michigan 47 55.4
Other East North Central 16 12.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 . 1.5
South 22 16.5
Other U.S. 5 5.8

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 51 25.5
Northwestern Europe 4 5.0
Central Europe 15 9.8
Eastern Europe 2 1.5
Other Europe 5 2.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 5.5
Other Western hemisphere l 0.7
All other foreign 1 0.7

Not ascertainable ‘ 10 7.5

Usual occupation

Professional workers 5 5.8

Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0

Farmers and farm managers 1 0.8

Proprietors, managers and officials,
except farm 5 5.8

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 12 9.0

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 26 19.5

Operatives and kindred workers 10 7.5

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

Table 59 (Continued)

22?

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 10 7.5
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 4 5.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 7 5.5
Information inadequate for classification Of
occupation 55 26.5
NO occupation given 12 9.0
Retired 6 4.5
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 92 69.2
Cremation 4 5.0
Removal elsewhere ' 57 27.8
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 57 100.0
Michigan 20 54.1
Other East North Central 6 16.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.4
South 7 18.9
Other UeSe 2 5e4
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50-59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

Table 40

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 222
Race
White 197 88.7
Black 24 10.8
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 1 0.5
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 48 21.6
Married 146 65.7
Widowed 21 9.5
Divorced 6 2.7
Unknown 1 0.5
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 15
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 9O
Mate still alive, same age ' 12
Mate still alive, age unknown 24
Not ascertainable _ 5
Place of death 7
Hospital 58 26.1
Home 119 55.6
Other 45 20.5
100.0
Date of death
January 16 7.2
February 17 7.7
March 21 9.5
April 20 9.0
June 25 11.2
July 17 7.7
August 20 9.0
September 20 9.0
October 25 10.5
November 10 4.5
Decanber 14 6.5

100.0

Table 40 (Continued)

229

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 27 12.2
Poisonous gases 27 12.2
Hanging or strangulation 49 22.0
Drowning 10 4.5
Firearms and explosives 86 58.6
Cutting or piercing instruments 9 4.1
Jumping from high places 8 5.6
Crushing 5 1.4
Other or unspecified means 5 1.4
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 18 8.1
2-9 years 46 20.7
10 years and over 75 52.9
All life 22 9.9
Not ascertainable 65 28.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. . 201 90.6
Michigan 102 45.9
other East North Central 25 11.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 26 11.8
South ‘ 54 15.5
Other U.S. 14 6.5
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 18 8.0
Northwestern Europe 4 1.8
Central Europe 7 5.1
Eastern Europe 2 0.8
Other EurOpe l 0.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 0.8
Other Western hemisphere l 0.5
All other foreign l 0.5
Not ascertainable 5 1.4
Birthplace of mother of.suicide in U.S. 125 56.5
Michigan 57 25.7
Other East North Central 18 8.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 14 6.5
South 50 15.5
Other U.S. 6 2.7

250
Table 40 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 71 52.0
Northwestern Europe 15 5.8
Central Europe 51 15.9
Eastern Europe 14 6.5
Other Europe 5 1.4
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 9 4.1
Other Western hemisphere l 0.5

Not ascertainable 26 11.7

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 114 51.7
Michigan 55 24.0
Other East North Central 18 8.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 4.5
South 29 15.2
Other U.S. 4 1.8

Birthplace Of father of suicide in foreign

country 81 57.0
Northwestern Europe 19 8.6
Central Europe 51 14.1
Eastern Europe 16 7.2
Other Europe 5 1.4
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 10 4.5
Other Western hemisphere l 0.6
All other foreign l 0.6

Not ascertainable 27 11.5

Usual occupation

Professional workers 9 4.1

Semiprofessional workers 4 1.8

Farmers and farm managers 1 0.5

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 17 7.7

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 16 7.2

Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 51 25.0

Operatives and kindred workers 55 14.9

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

Table 40 (Continued)

251

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 21 9.5
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 1 0.5
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 7 5.2
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification
of occupation' 44 19.8
NO occupation given 15 6.8
Retired ‘, 5 1.4
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 149 67e 1
Cremation ' 0 0.0
Removal elsewhere 75 52.9
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 72 98.6
Michigan 57 50.7
Other East North Central 15 17.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 8.2
South 12 16.4
Other U. S. 4 5.5
Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 1.4

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 40.49 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

Table 41

 

 

 

252

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 285
Race
White 269 95.1
Black 14 4.9
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 44 15.5
Married 200 70.8
Widowed 25 8.8
Divorced 12 4.2
Unknown 2 0.7
100.0
Status Of mate Of married persons
Mate still alive, Older than deceased 26
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 120
Mate still alive, same age 10
Mate still alive, age unknown 56
Not ascertainable 8
Place of death
Hospital 71 25.1
Home 158 55.8
Other 54 19.1
100.0
Date of death
January 55 11.6
February 21 7.4
March 25 8.8
April 25 8.1
May 52 11.5
June 22 7.8
July 24 8.5
August 16 5.7
September 20 7.1
October 20 .7.1
November 25 8.8
December 22 7.8
100.0

255
Table 41 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 22 7.8
Poisonous gases 54 12.0
Hanging or strangulation 75‘ 26.5
Drowning 9 5.2
Firearms and explosives 116 41.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 10 5.5
Jumping from high places 8 2.8
Crushing 4 1.4
Other or unspecified means 5 1.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 15 5.5
2-9 years 40 14.1
10 years and over 115 40.6
All life 24 8.5
Not ascertainable 89 51.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 250 81.2
Michigan 115 40.6
Other East North Central 57 15.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 22 7.8
South 42 14.8
Other U.S. 14 4.9
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 54 19.1
Northwestern Europe 10 5.5
Central Europe 19 6.7
Eastern Europe 8 2.8
Other Europe 5 1.1
Asia 2 0.7
Canada and Newfoundland 11 5.9
Other Western hemisphere l 0.4
Not ascertainable 2 0.7
Birthplace of mother Of suicide in U.S. 146 51.6
Michigan 50 21-2
Other East North Central 54 12.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 15 4.6
South 55 12.4
Other U.S. 4 1.4

254
Table 41 (Continued)

 

r
“_

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother Of suicide in foreign

country' 99 55.0
Northwestern Europe 22 7.8
Central Europe 45 15.9
Eastern Europe 9 5.2
Other Europe 5 1.8
Asia 2 0.7
Canada and Newfoundland 15 5.5
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.5

Not ascertainable 58 15.4

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 155 47.0
Michigan 54 19.0
Other East North Central 50 10.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 16 5.7
South 52 11.5
Other U.S. l 0.4

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 114 40.5
Northwestern Europe 22 7.8
Central Europe 48 16.9
Eastern Europe 11 5.9
Other Europe 6 2.1
Asia 2 0.7
Canada and Newfoundland 24 8.5
Other Western hemisphere l 0.4

Not ascertainable 56 12.7

Usual Occupation

Professional workers 15 5.5

SemiprofesSional workers 6 2.1

Farmers and farm.managers 4 1.4

Proprietors, managers and officials,

. except farm 29 10.2

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 25 8.1

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 67 25.8

Operatives and kindred workers 58 15.4

Domestic service’workers 0 0.0

235
Table 41 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 22 7.8
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 12 4.2
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 50 17.7
No occupation given 15 4.6
Retired 4 1.4 .
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 200 70.7
Cremation 8 2.8
Removal elsewhere 75 26.5
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 75 97.5
Michigan 55 46.6
Other East North Central 14 18.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 5.5
South 14 18.7
Other U.S. 6 8.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 2.7

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50.59 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

Table 42

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 551
Race
White 526 98.5
BlfiCk 5 1 e 5
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 64 19.5
Married 200 60.5
Widowed 56 10.9
Divorced 25 6.9
Unknown 8 2.4
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, Older than deceased 8
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 140
Mate still alive, same age 12
Mate still alive, age unknown 24
Not ascertainable 6
Place Of death
Hospital 82 24.8
Home 187 56.5
Other 62 18.7
100.0
Date of death
January 20 6.0
February 28 8.5
March 55 9.9
April 50 9.1
May 22 6.6
June 50 9.1
July 55 9.9
August 25 7.6
September 28 8.5
October 54 10.5
November 20 6.0
December 28 8.5
100.0

256

Table 42 (Continued)

237

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause Of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 21 6.5
Poisonous gases 28 8.5
Hanging or strangulation 101 50.6
Drowning 25 6.9
Firearms and explosives 114 54.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 16 4.8
Jumping from high places 14 4.2
Crushing 8 2.4
Other or unspecified means 6 1.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 20 6.0
2—9 years 55 10.0
10 years and over 164 49.5
All life 27 8.2
Not ascertainable 87 26.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace Of suicide in U.S. 185 55.9
Michigan 98 29.6
Other East North Central 54 10.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 18 5.4
South 25 7.6
Other U.S. 10 5.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 155 40.8
Northwestern Europe 21 6.4
Central Europe 61 18.5
Eastern Europe 19 5.7
Other Europe 14 4.2
Asia 2 0.6
Canada and Newfoundland 17 5.1
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign l 0.5
Not ascertainable 11 5-3
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 90 27.1
Michigan 42 12.7
Other East North Central 15 4.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 3,0
South 21 6.5
Other U.S. 1 0,5

258

Table 42 (Continued)

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace Of suicide
Birthplace Of mother of suicide in foreign

country 167 50.5
Northwestern Europe 56 10.9
Central Europe 78 25.7
Eastern Europe 20 6.0
Other Europe 15 5.9
Asia 1 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 19 5.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 74 22.4

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 86 26.0
Michigan 50 9.2
Other East North Central 17 5.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 17 5.1
South 20 6.0
Other U.S. 2 0.6

Birthplace Of father Of suicide in foreign

country 188 56.8
Northwestern Europe 42 12.7
Central Europe 85 25.7
Eastern Europe 21 6.5
Other Europe ' 15 5.9
Asia ‘ l 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 26 7.9
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 57 17.2

Usual occupation

Professional workers 11 5.5

Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0

Farmers and farm managers 2 0.6

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 25 6.9

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 50 9.1

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 74 22.4

Operatives and kindred workers 49 14.8

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

259
Table 42 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation ,
Service workers, except domestic 25 7.6
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers( unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 25 6.9
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 1 0.5
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 49 14.8
No occupation given 24 7.5
Retired 20 6.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 256 77.4
Cremation 16 4.8
Removal elsewhere 59 17.8
100.0
RemOVal of suicide in U.S. 57 96.6
Michigan 56 60.0
Other East North Central 10 17.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 8.5
South 4 6.8
Other U.S. 2 5.4
Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 5.4

Table 45

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60—69 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 245
Race
White 259 97.6
Black 5 2.0
Indian 1 0.4
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 49 20.0
Married 125 51.0
Widowed 15 5.5
Divorced 50 20.4
Unknown 8 5.5
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 16
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 78
Mate still alive, same age 7
Mate still alive, age unknown 20
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 65 25.7
Home 1A0 57.2
Other 42 17.1
100.0
Date of death
January 26 10.6
February 15 6.1
March 26 10.6
April 26 10.6
May 15 6.2
June 16 6.5
July 27 11.1
August 23 9-4
September 23 9.4
October 16 6.5
November 16 6.5
December 16 6.5
100.0

240

241
Table 45 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 9 5.7
Poisonous gases 15 6.1
Hanging or strangulation 78 51.8
Drowning 22 9.0
Firearms and explosives 81 55.1
Cutting or piercing instrunents 21 8.6
Jumping from high places 12 4.9
Crushing 5 2.0
Other or unspecified means 2 0.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 11 4.5
2-9 years 16 6.5
10 years and over 129 52.7
All life 18 7.5
Not ascertainable 71 29.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide ,
Birthplace of suicide in.U.S. 114 46.5
Michigan 65 26.4
Other East North Central 21 8.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 12 4.9
South 9 5.7
Other U.S. 7 2.9
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 118 48.2
Northwestern Europe 20 8.2
Central Europe 65 ' 26.5
Eastern Europe 16 6.5
Other Europe 9 5.7
Asia 1 0.4
Canada and Newfoundland 7 2.9
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 15 5.5
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 55 22.5
Michigan. 24 9.8
Other East North Central 10 4.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 5.7
South 9 5.7
Other U.S. 5 1.2

242

Table 45 (continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 158 56.5
Northwestern Europe 55 14.5
Central Europe 70 28.5
Eastern Europe 15 5.5
Other Europe 9 5.7
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 11 4.5
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 52 21.2

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 51 20.8
Michigan 21 8.5
Other East North Central - 9 5.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 4.1
South 8 5.3
Other U.S. 3 1.2

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 155 62.5
Northwestern Europe 56 14.7
Central Europe 81 55.1
Eastern Europe 14 5.7
Other Europe 9 5.7
Asia 2 0.8
Canada and Newfoundland ' 11 4.5
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 41 16.7

Usual occupation

Professional workers 8 5.5
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.4
Farmers and farm managers 2 0.8
Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except farm 20 8.2
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 11 4.5
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 47 19.2
Operatives and kindred workers 25 9.4
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

Table 45 (continued

)

245

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 22 9.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 9 5.7
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 49 20.0
No occupation given 16 6.5
Retired 57 15.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 206 84.1
Cremation 14 5.7
Removal elsewhere 25 10.2
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 25 92.0
Michigan 11 44.0
Other East North Central 5 20.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 8.0
South 4 16.0
Other U.S. l 4.0
Removal 6f suicide in foreign country 2 8.0

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 70—79 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

Table 44

 

 

 

244

Characteristic Number Percent
Race
Black 2 1.8
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 1 0.9
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 11 10.1
Married 46 42.2
Widowed 1 0.9
Divorced 50 45.9
Unknown 1 0.9
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
' Mate still alive, older than deceased 2
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 21
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 12
Not ascertainable 5
Place of death
Hospital 24 22.0
Home 65 57.8
Other 22 20.2
100.0
Date of death
January 11 10.1
February 7 6.4
March 12 11.1
April 5 he 6
May 14 12.9
June 12 11.0
July 11 10.1
August 6 5.5
September 8 7.5
October 8 7.5
November 7 6.4
December 8 7.5
100.0

245
Table 44 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

*

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 10 9.2
Poisonous gases 4 5.7
Hanging or strangulation 54 51.2
Drowning 11 10.1
Firearms and explosives 55 52.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 8 7.5
Jumping from high places 5 2.8
Crushing 2 1.8
Other or unspecified means 2 1.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 5 4.6
2-9 years 7 6.4
10 years and over 58 55.2
All life 11 10.1
Not ascertainable 28 25.7
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 69 65.5
Michigan 40 56.6
Other East North Central 9 8.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 9.2
South 7 6.4
Other U.S. 5 2.8
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 58 54.9
Northwestern Europe 7 6.4
Central Europe 25 21.1
Eastern Europe 4 5.7
Other Europe 1 0.9
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 2.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 2 1.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 55 50.5
Michigan 12 11.0
Other East North Central 7 6.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 11 10.1
South 5 2.8
Other U.S. O 0.0

246

Table 44 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number .Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 49 44.9
Northwestern Europe 12 11.0
Central Europe 28 25.7
Eastern Europe 5 4.6
Other Europe 1 0.9
Asia 1 0.9
Canada and Newfoundland 2 1.8
Other Western hanisphere O 0.0.

Not ascertainable 27 24.8

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 50 27.5
Michigan 5 2.8
Other East North Central 6 5.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 18 16.4
South 5 2.8
Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 56 51.4
Northwestern Europe 15 15.8
Central EurOpe 51 28.4
Eastern Europe 5 4.6
Other Europe 1 0.9
Asia 1 0.9
Canada and Newfoundland 5 2.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 25 21.1

Usual occupation

Professional workers 5 2.8

Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0

Farmers and farm managers 10 9.2

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 2 1.8

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 2 1.8

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 20 18.5

Operatives and kindred workers 10 9.2

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

247

Table 44 (Continued)

 

.——v
r

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 10 9.2
Farm.1aborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 4 5.7
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 11 10.1
No occupation given 9 8.5
Retired 28 25.6

100.0

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 85 78.0
Cremation 5 4.6
Renoval e1 sewhere 19 17. 4

100.0

Removal of suicide in.U.S. 19 100.0
Michigan 14 75.7
Other East North Central 2 10.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 5 15.8
Other U.S. 0 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 45

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE URBAN SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 80 YEARS AND OVER, 1945-1949

 

 

Characteristics

Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 51

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed ‘
Divorced
Unknown

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased
Mate still alive, younger than deceased
Mate still alive, same age
Mate still alive, age unknown

Place of death
Hospital
Home
Other

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July.
August 7/
September
October
November
December

248

HONOU’O OOOOH

ONI—‘W

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..-
see. so...
N-h'J—‘N-P-PO-P-b‘OOD-JP

:4 id
O\O\0\\NO\O\\.NO\O\\N\OO\

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

Table 45 (Continued)

249

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 1 5.2
Poisonous gases 2 6.4
Hanging or strangulation 11 55.6
Drowning 5 9.7
Firearms and explosives 7 22.6
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 9.7
Jumping from high places 2 6.4
Crushing 2 6.4
Other or unspecified means 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in.community
1 year or less " O 0.0
2-9 years 5 16.1
10 years and over 11 55.5
All life 4 12.9
Not ascertainable 11 55.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in.U.S. 17 54.8
Michigan 12 58.7
Other East North Central 5 9-7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.4
South * O 0.0
Other U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 14 45.2
Northwestern Europe 5 16.1
Central Europe 6 19.4
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 9.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S. 7 22.6
Michigan 5 9.7
Other East North Central 1 5.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 9.7
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 0 0.0

25°
Table 45 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 17 54.8

Northwestern Europe 8 25.7
Central Europe 6 19.4
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 9.7
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 7 22.6
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 5 16.1
Michigan 2 6.4
Other East North Central 1 5.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.4
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplacefof father of suicide in foreign
country 18 58.1

Northwestern Europe 8 25.8
Central Europe 6 19.4
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 12.9
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 8 25.8
Usual occupation
Professional workers 0 0.0
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 5 9.7
Proprietors, managers and officials,
except farm 1 5.2
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 5 9.7
Operatives and kindred workers 1 5.2
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

251
Table 45 (Continued)

 

 

fit

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 1 5.2
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen O 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm 2 6.4
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 1 5.2
No occupation given 5 16.1
Retired ~ 14 45.5

100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body _
Burial 26 85.9
Cremation l 5.2
Removal elsewhere 4 12.9

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 5 75.0
Michigan 1 25.0
Other East North Central 1 25.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. 1 25.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 25.0

Table 46

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, UNDER 20 YEARS, 1945-1949

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 18
Race
White 18 100.0.
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese' 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 17 94.5
Married 1 5.5
Widowed 0 0.0
Divorced 0 0.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased l
Mate still alive, younger than deceased O
Mate still alive, same age 0
Place of death
Hospital 5 16.7
Home 15 72.2
Other 2 11.1
100.0
Date of death
January 1 5.6
February 0 0.0
March 5 16.6
April 2 11.1
May 5 16.6
June 1 5.6
July 1 5.6
August 1 5.6
September 2 11.1
October 0 0.0
November 1 5.6
December 5 16.6
100.0

252

Table 46 (Continued)

255

W

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 0 0.0
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation 5 27.8
Drowning O 0.0
Firearms and explosives 15 72.2
Cutting or piercing instruments 0 0.0
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing O 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 2 11.1
2-9 years 4 22.2
10 years and over 2 11.1
All life 6 55.4
Not ascertainable 4 22.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 18 100.0
Michigan 17 94.5
.Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 1 5.5
Other U.S. 0 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 17 94.5
Michigan. 11 61.2
Other East North Central 4 22.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 2 11.1
Other UeSe O 0.0
Birthplace of'mother of suicide in foreign
country 1 5.5
Northwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 0 0.0
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
01:11,? Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 5.5
O 0.0

Other Western hemisphere

Table 46 (Continued)

‘
_:.

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 16 88.9
Michigan 11 61.1
Other East North Central 4 22.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 11.1
Northwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 1 5.5
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 5.6
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Usual occupation
Professional workers 0 0.0
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Fhrmers and farm managers 1 5.6
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 0 0.0
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 1 5.6
Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 5 16.6
Operatives and kindred workers 1 5.6
Domestic Service workers 0 0.0
Service workers, except domestic 2 11.0
Burn laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen l 5.6
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 1 5.6
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 7 58.8
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation l 5.6
No occupation given 0 0.0
Retired 0 0.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or renoval of body
Burial 15 85.5
Crmtion O 0. 0
Removal elsewhere 5 16.7

100.0

Table 46 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

255

 

Characteristic Percent
Removal of suicide in U.S. 100.0
Michigan 5 100.0
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0.0

Table 47

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 20.29 TEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Total slumber of cases in group: 81
Race

White 77 95.1
BIO.“ , 1 1e2
Indian 5 5.7
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
. 100.0
Marital Status
Single 58 46.9
Widowed 6 7.4
Divorced 2 2.5
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 2
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 25
Mate still alive, same age _ 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 6
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 17 21.0
Em. A A6 56e8
Other 18 22.2
100.0
Date of death
January 9 11.1
February 2 2-5
March 4 4.9
April 6 7-4
m 5 6e2
Jun. 9 11.1
July 6 7.4
August 5 5'1
September 6 7.
Ootobgr 10 12.4
Novesber 8 9-9
' 100.0

256

Table #7 (Continued)

257

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 5 6.2
Poisonous gases 4 4.9
Hanging or strangulationi 15 18.5
Drowning 1 1e?-
Firearms and explosives 51 63.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 2.5
Jumping from high places 1 1.2
Crushing 2 2.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 8 9.9
2-9 years 10 l2.#
10 years and over 8 9.9
All life 21 25.8
Not ascertainable 54 42.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 81 100.0
Other East North Central 7 8.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 2.5
8011‘“ 5 6e2
Other U.S. 1‘ h‘e9
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0
Birthplace of'mother of suicide in U.S. ‘ 68 84.0
Michigan 52 64.2
OthOT E331: North contrfil 5 6e2
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 2.5
South 7 8e6
Other U.S. 2 2.5
Birthplace of'nother of suicide in.foreign
country' 11 15.6
Northwestern Europe 3 5.7
Central Europe 5 5.7
lastern Europe 2 2.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
A'ia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 5.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

258
Table 47 (Continued)

 

_I‘A
_:-'

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Not ascertainable 2 2.h

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 71 87.7
Michigan
Other East North Central
Middle Atlantic and New England
South
Other U.S.

H-slvl .58

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 8 9.9
Northwestern Europe
Central Europe
Eastern Europe
Other Europe
Asia'
Canada and Newfoundland
Other Western hemisphere

CHOOVNN
OHOQVMN
01000qu

Not ascertainable 2 2.4

Usual occupation
Professional workers
Semiprofessional workers
Farmers and farm.managers
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers
Operatives and kindred workers
Domestic service workers
Service workers, except domestic
Phrm.laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen
Farm.laborers (unpaid family workers)
Laborers, except farm
Housewives
Students
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation
No occupation given
Retired

HH H'-
HH H
N \NONO-fi'HPOs??? FHH

e e e e e
“N“ NOh‘O‘ONOO-‘mflu ON”

'0
e

H
NVCD uomorwovmvm NHH

N“
s

100.0

Table 47 (Continued)

t
f

 

259

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 64 79.0
Cremation O 0.0
Removal elsewhere ‘17 21.0
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 17 100.0
Michigan 14 82.5
Other East North Central 1 5.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 5.9
South 1 5.9
Other U.S. 0 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country

0.0

Table 116

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50.39 YEARS or ACE, 1945—1949

 

fl

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 126
Race
White 126 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 57 29.4
Married 79 62.7
Widowed 9 7.1
Divorced l 0.8
100. 0
Status of’mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 7
Hate still alive, younger than deceased 51
Mate still alive, same age 5
Hate still alive, age unknown 15
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death ,
Hospital 15 10.5
Home 92 75.0
Other 21 16.7
100.0
Date of death
January 11 8.7
February 9 7.1
March 15 11.9
May 16 12.7
June '16 12.7
July 5 4.0
August 9 7.1
October 15 11.9
November 6 4.8
December 4 5.2
100.0

260

Table 48 (Continued)

 

 

 

261

in

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 4 5.2
Poisonous gases ' 16 12.7
Hanging or strangulation 24 19.0
Drowning 2 1.6
Firearms and explosives 5 77 61.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 1.6
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing l 0.8
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 15 11.9
2-9 years 12 9.5
10 years and over 26 20.6
A11 life 20 15.9
Not ascertainable 55 42.1
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 121 96.0
Michigan 90 71.3
Other East North Central 19 15.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 2.4
South 7 5.6
Other U.S. 2 1.6
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 5 4.0
Northwestern Europe 0 ' 0.0
Central Europe 5 2.4
Eastern Europe 1 0.8
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 1 0.8
Other Western.hemisphere 0 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 85 65.9
Michigan. 55 45.6
Other East North Central 15 11.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 5.2
South 7 5.6
Other U.S. 2 1.6

262

Table 48 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 51 24.6
Northwestern Europe 2 1.6
Central Europe 15 10.5
Eastern Europe 7 5.6
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 8 6.5
Other Western hemisphere l 0.8
Not ascertainable 12 9.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 77 61.1
Michigan 58 46.0
Other East North Central 11 8.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 1.6
South 5 4.0
Other U.S. l 0.8
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 55 26.2
Northwestern Europe 5 2.4
Central Europe 16 12.7
Eastern Europe 8 6.5
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 6 4.8
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 16 12.7
Usual occupation
Professional workers 2 1.6
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm.managers 51 24.6
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 4 5.2
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 5 2.4
Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 25 18.2
Operatives and kindred workers 16 12.7
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

Table 48 (Continued)

265

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic 5 4.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 5 2.4
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 2 1.6
Laborers, except farm 9 7.1
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 1 0.8
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 22 17.4
No occupation given 5 4.0
Retired 0 0.0
= 100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 115 89.7
Cremation. O 0.0
Removal elsewhere 25 18.5
100.0
Rummval of suicide in U.S. 25 100.0
Michigan 15 65.5
Other East North Central 4 17.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 4.5
South 5 13.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country

0.0

Table 49

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 40-49 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

-:
.1—

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 165
Race
White 164 99.4
Black 0 0.0
Indian 1 0.6
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Married 128 77.6
Widow“ 5 5.0
Divorced 6 5.6
10000
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 22
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 68
Mate still alive, same age 15
Mate still alive, age unknown 18
Not ascertainable 7
Place of death
Hospital 22 15.5
Hone 120 72.8
Other 25 15.9
100.0
Date of death
January 6 5.6
February 16 9.7
March 20 12.1
May 14 8.5
June 15 9.1
July 5 5.0
August 15 9.1
Septenber 7 4.2
October 19 11e5
Novanber 9 5.6
mmbor 15 9e].
100.0

264

265

Table 49 (Continued)

W

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Cause of death

Poisoning (solid or liquid) 8 4.8
Poisonous gases 15 7.9
Hanging or strangulation 29 17.6
Drowning 5 1.8
Firearms and explosives 107 64.9
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 1.2
Jumping from high places 5 1.8
Crushing O 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 12 7.5
2-9 years 21 12.7
10 years and over 41 24.8
All life 51 18.8
Not ascertainable 60 56.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 149 90.5
Michigan 106 64.5
Other East North Central 22 15.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 11 6.7
South 7 4.2
Other U.S. 5 1.8
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 16 9.7
Northwestern Europe 5 1.8
Central Europe 7 4.5
Eastern Europe 2 1.2
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 2.4
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S. 96 58.1
Michigan 57 54.6
Other East North Central 25 15.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 4.8
South 5 5.0
Other U.S. 5 1.8

1

266

Table 49 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide I
Birthplace of’mcther of suicide in foreign

country 46 28.0
Northwestern Europe 9 5.5
Central Europe 16 . 9.7
Eastern Europe 10 6.1
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 - 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 11 6.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 25 15.9

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 92 . 55.8
Michigan 49 29.8
Other East North Central 18 10.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 16 9.7
South 6 5.6
Other U.S. 5 1.8

Birthplace of father of suicide‘in foreign

country 55 53-5
Northwestern Europe 16 9.6
Central Europe 15 9.1
Eastern Europe 11 6.7
Other Europe 0 . 0.0
A310 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 15 7.9
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 18 10.9

Usual occupation .

Professional workers 4 2.4

Semiprofessional workers 1 0.6

Farmers and farm managers 29 17.6

Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 16 9.7

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 14 8.5

Craftsmen, foremen and kindred workers 28 . 17.0

Operatives and kindred workers 17 10.5

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

267

Table 49 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 4 2.4
Fhrm.laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 2 1.2
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 15 9.1
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Infermation inadequate for classification of

occupation 29 17.6
No occupation given 5 5.0
Retired 1 0.6

1m00

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

”101 132 80.0
cremation l 0.6
Resoval elsewhere 52 19.4

100.0

Rancval of suicide in U.S. 52 100.0
Michigan 18 56.4
Other East North Central 10 51.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 5.1
South 1 5.1
Other UeSe l 501

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

   

Table 50

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 50.59 YEARS or AGE, 1945—1949

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 198
Race
White 198 100.0
310* O 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
811181. ’8 19e2
Married 150 65.6
Widowed 11 5.6
Divorced 15 7.6
”mom 4 2.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased l4
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 78
Mate still alive, same age 8
Mate still alive, age unknown 25
Not ascertainable 7
Place of death
Hospital 24 12.1
H“. 153 77s,
Other 21 10.6
100.0
Date of death
January 11 5.6
February 14 7.0
March 20 10.0
April 26 15.0
May 20 10.0
Jun. 16 8.0
July 21 10.6
‘mlt 1" 7.0
00wa1' 18 996
“O'mbOr 1) 6e6
100.0

268

269
Table 50 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 15 7.6
Poisonous gases 9 4.5
Hanging or strangulation 44 22.2
Drowning 5 1.5
Firearms and explosives 112 56.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 9 4.5
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
mums . 1 Oe5
Other or unspecified means 5 2.5
' 100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 15 7.6
2-9 years 20 10.1
10 years and over 49 24.7
All life 55 16.7
Not ascertainable. 81 40.9
lOOe O
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 155 77.5
Michigan 115 57.2
Other East North Central 25 11.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 5.0
South 9 4.5
Other U.S. ‘ 2 1.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 42 21.2
Northwestern Europe 5 2.5
Central Europe 16 8.1
Eastern Europe 15 6.6
Other Europe ~ 5 1.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 2.0
Other Western hemisphere l 0.5
Not ascertainable 5 1.5
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in U.S. 95 47.0
Michigan 55 .

Middle Atlantic and New England 15
South 3

27
Other East North Central 18 9.
7
1
Other Us 8. 2 1

Table 50 (Continued)

...i _-:

270

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign
country 72 56.4
Northwestern Europe 15 7.6
Eastern Europe 15 7.6
Central Europe 22 11.1
Other Europe 4 2.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 16 8.1
Other Western hanisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 55 16.6
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 91 46.0
Michigan 48 24.5
Other East North Central 22 11.1
‘Middle Atlantic and New England 11 8.6
South 2.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 78 59.4
Northwestern Europe 17 8.6
Central Europe 26 15.1
Eastern Europe 11» 8.6
Other Europe 2.0
‘818 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 14 7.1
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 29 14.6
Usual occupation
Professional workers 5 2.5
Semiprofessional workers 0 0.0
Banners and farm.managers 62 51.4
Proprietors, managers, and officials, .
except fanm 12 6.1
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 7 5.5
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 28 14.1
Operatives and kindred workers 9 4.5
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

.271

Table 50 (Continued)

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 5 2.5
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 6 5.0
Fhrm.laborers (unpaid family workers) 5 1.5
Laborers, except farm 8 4.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 54 17.5
No occupation given 11 5.6
Retired 8 4.0
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Cremation 2 1.0
Removal elsewhere 58 19.2
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. , 57 97.5
Other East North Central 5 15.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.5
80111911 0 0e 0
Other U.S. 2 5.5

Removal of suicide in.foraign country 1 2.5

Table 51

CHARACTERISTICS OF'MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60—69 TEARS or AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

272

Characteristic Number Percent
'Total number of cases in group: 198
Race
White 198 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 59 1907
Married 97 49.0
Divorced 41 20.7
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 7
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 61
Mate still alive, same age 9
Mate still alive, age unknown 16
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 24 12.1
Home 155 78.5
100.0
Date of death
January 9 4.5
February 14 7e 1
March 2O 10. 1
April 22 11.0
May 18 9.1
July 17 8.6
August 15 6.6
September 18 9.1
OUtObOr 17 8e 6
November 11 5.6
December 15 7.6
100.0

275
Table 51 (Continued)

1 ——.
fl ‘1

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 8 4.0
Poisonous gases 8 4.0
Hanging or strangulation. 70 55.4
Drowning 6 5.0
Firearms and explosives 88 #4.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 14 7.1
Jumping from.high places 0 0.0
Crushing l 0.5
Other or unspecified means 3 1.5
, 100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 14 7.1
2-9 years 14 7.1
10 years and over 55 27.7
All life 25 12.6
Not ascertainable 90 45.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 128 6h.6
Michigan 97 49.0
Other East North Central 21 10.6
Middle Atlantic and New England h 2.0
South # 2.0
Other U e 8e 2 1 e 0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 63 51.8
Northwestern Europe 15 7.6
Central Europe 26 13.1
Eastern Europe 16 8.1
Other Europe 1 0.5
‘31.. 0 Dec
Canada and Newfoundland 5 2.5
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 7 5.4
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 63 51.8
Michigan 35 16;7
Other East North Central 19 9.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 4.5
South 2 1.0
Other 0.8. o 0.0

274

Table 51 (Continued)

 

 

acteristic Number Percent

 

place of suicide
thplace of mother of suicide in foreign

it?! 77 58-9
rthwestern Europe 16 8.1
ntral Europe 35 17.7
:tern Europe 14 7.1
or Europe 1 0.5
9. 1 0e5
ids and Newfoundland 9 #.5
rr Western hemisphere 1 0.5

. ascertainable 58 29.5

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 61 30.8
Michigan. 28 14.1
Other East North Central 18 9.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 11 5.6
South 4 2.0
Other Us Be 0 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 90 4505

Northwestern Europe 24 12.1
Central Europe 41 20.8
Eastern Europe 15 6.6
Other Europe 2 1.0
‘31.. O 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 9 4.5
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.5
Not ascertainable #7 23.7
Usual occupation
Professional workers 1 0.5
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.5
Farmers and farm managers 86 45.5
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm. 9 4.5
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers h 2.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 16 8.1
Operatives and kindred workers 6 5.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

275
Table 51 (Continued)

”..—
“

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 7 5.5
hm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 15 2.0
km laborers (unpaid family workers) 1 0.5
Laborers, except farm 21 10.7
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 19 9.6
No occupation given 7 5.5
Retired 16 8e].
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Cremation ' A 2.0
Removal elsewhere 34 17.2
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. fit - 100.0
Other East North Central 5 111.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.9
South 1 2.9
Othar UeSe O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

CHARACTERISTICS OF'MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 70.79 IEARS or AGE, 1945-1949

Table 52

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 129
Race
White 129 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 21 16.3
Married 57 44.1
Widowed 6 4.7
Divorced 44 34.1
Unknown 1 0.8
10000
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 5
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 38
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 8
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 16 12.4
H“. 1014 80e6
Other 9 7.0
100.0
Date of death
January 6 4.7
February 11 8.3
March 11 8.5
April 8 6.2
May 12 9.3
June 13 10.1
August 9 7.0
September 11 8.5
October 14 10.9
November 16 12.3
December 8 6.2
100.0

276

277
Table 52 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 5 2.5
Poisonous gases 2 1.6
Hanging or strangulation 42 32.5
Drowning 4 3.1
Firearms and explosives 62 48.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 10 7.8
Jumping from high places 1 0.8
Crushing 5 2.3
Other or unspecified means 2 1.6
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 7 5.4
2-9 years 9 7.0
10 years and over 50 38.7
All life 14 10.9
Not ascertainable 49 38.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 85 65.9
Michigan 66 51.1
Other East North Central 11 8.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 3.9
SOUth 1 Oe8
Other Ue8e 2 106
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 43 33.3
Northwestern Europe 6 ”37
Central Europe 20 15.4
Eastern Europe 5 3.9
Other Europe 1 0.8
Asia 1 0.8
Canada and Newfoundland 10 7.7
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 1 0.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 40 31.0
Michigan 17 15.1
Other East North Central 12 9.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 7.0
801.1% 2 1e6
Other U.S. O 0.0

270
Table 50 (Continued)

Cw
‘

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 72 36.4
Northwutern Europe 15 7.6
Eastern Europe 15 7.6
Central Europe 22 11.1
Other Europe 4 2.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 16 8.1
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0

Not ascertainable 33 16.6

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 91 46.0
Michigan 48 24.3
Other East North Central 22 11.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 11 8.6
South 2.0
Other UeSe ’ O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

Qamtry 78 59e4
Northwestern Europe 17 8.6
Central Europe 26 13.1
Eastern Europe 11 8.6
Other Europe 2.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 14 7.1
Other Western hanisphere O 0.0

Not "ascertainable 29 14.6

Usual occupation

Professional workers 5 2.5

Smiprofessional workers 0 0.0

Farmers and farm managers 62 31.4

Proprietors, managers, and officials, _,
except farm 12 6.1

Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 7 3.5

Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 28 14.1

Operatives and kindred workers 9 4.5

Domestic service workers 0 0.0

.271

Table 50 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 5 2.5
thrm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 6 3.0
Bhrm.laborers (unpaid family workers) 3 1.5
Laborers, except farm 8 4.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 34 17.3
No occupation given 11 5.6
Retired 8 4.0

100.0

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 158 79.8
Cremation 2 1.0
Removal elsewhere 38 19.2

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. . 37 97.5
Michigan 28 73.7
Other East NCrth.Central 5 13.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 5.3
South 0 0e 0
Other U.S. 2 5.3

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 2.5

Table 51

CHARACTERISTICS or MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 60-69 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

 

 

 

272

Characteristic Number Percent
‘Total number of cases in group: 198
Race
White 198 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
811131. 59 19s?
Married 97 49.0
Widow“ 15 6e6
Divorced 41 20.7
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 7
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 61
Mate still alive, same age 9
Mate still alive, age unknown 16
Not ascertainable 4
Place of death
Hospital 24 12.1
Hm. 155 78e5
100.0
Date of death
February 14 7.1
March 20 10.1
April 22 11.0
July 17 8.6
August 13 6.6
Septanber 18 9.1
OQtObOr 17 8e6
November 11 5.6
December 15 7.6
100.0

273
Table 51 (Continued)

-_
-_.

 

r“

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Genes of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 8 4.0
Poisonous gases 8 4.0
Hanging or strangulation. 70 35.4
Drowning 6 3.0
Iirearms and explosives 88 44.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 14 7.1
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing l 0.5
Other or unspecified means 3 1.5
, 100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 14 7.1
2~9 years 14 7.1
10 years and over 55 27.7
All life 25 12.6
Not ascertainable 90 45.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 128 64.6
Michigan 97 49.0
Other East North Central 21 10.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 2.0
South 4 2.0
Other Us Be 2 1.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country’ 63 31.8
Northwestern Europe 15 7.6
Central Europe 26 13.1
Eastern EurOpe 16 8.1
Other Europe 1 0.5
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 5 2.5
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 7 3.4
Birthplace of'mother of suicide in U.S. 63 31.8
Michigan 35 16.7
Other East North Central 19 9.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 4.5
South 2 1.0
Other U.S. o 0.0

274

Table 51 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign

country 77 38.9
Northwestern Nope 16 8.1
Central Europe 35 17.7
Eastern Europe 14 7.1
Other Europe 1 0.5
Asia 1 0.5
Canada and Newfoundland 9 4.5
Other Western hemisphere l 0.5

Not ascertainable 58 29.3

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 61 30.8
Michigan 28 14.1
Other East North Central 18 9.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 11 5.6
South 4 2.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 90 4505
Northwestern Europe 24 12.1
Central Europe 41 20.8
Eastern Europe 13 6.6
Other Europe 2 1.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 9 4.5
Other Western henisphere l 0.5

Not ascertainable 47 23.7

Usual occupation

Professional workers 1 0.5

Seniprofessional workers 1 0.5

Farmers and farm managers 86 43.5

Proprietors, managers, and officials,

except farm 9 4.5
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 4 2.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 16 8.1
Operatives and kindred workers 6 3.0
Danestic service workers 0 0.0

275
Table 51 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 7 3.5
hm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 4 2.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 1 0.5
Laborers, except farm 21 10.7
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 19 9.6
No occupation given 7 3.5
Retired 16 8e].

100.0

Burial, oranation, or removal of body

Burial 160 80.8
Removal elsewhere 34 17.2

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 34 - 100.0
Michigan 27 79.4
Other East North Central 5 14.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.9
SOUth 1 2e9
Othar UeSe O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 52

CHARACTERISTICS OF'MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 70b79 YEARS OF AGE, 1945-1949

‘

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 129
Race
White 129 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Single 21 16.3
Married 57 44.1
Widowed 6 4.7
Divorced 44 34.1
Unknown 1 0.8
100.0
Status of mate of married per sons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 5
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 38
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 8
Not ascertainable 1
Place of death
Hospital 16 12.4
am. 104 80e6
0th” 9 7.0
100.0
Date of death
January 6 4.7
February' 11 8.5
April 8 6e2
May 12 9.3
June 13 10.1
August 9 7.0
September 11 8.5
OOtObOr 1" 10e9
November 16 12.3
December 8 6.2
100.0

276

277
Table 52 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 3 2.3
Poisonous gases 2 1.6
Hanging or strangulation 42 32.5
Drowning 4 3.1
Firearms and explosives 62 48.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 10 7.8
Jumping from high places 1 0.8
Crushing 3 2.3
Other or unspecified.means 2 1.6
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 7 5.4
2-9 years 9 7.0
10 years and over 50 38.7
All life 14 10.9
Not ascertainable 49 38.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 85 65.9
Michigan 66 51.1
Other East North Central 11 8.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 3.9
South 1 0.8
Other UeSe 2 106
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 43 33.3
Northwestern Europe 6 4.7
Central Europe 20 15.4
Eastern Europe 5 3.9
Other Europe 1 0.8
Asia 1 0.8
Canada and Newfoundland 10 7.7
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable l 0.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S. 40 31.0
Michigan 17 15.1
Other East North Central 12 9.}
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 7.0
South 2 1.6
Other U.S. o 000

Table 52 (Continued)

 

_—

 

 

4-7

A:-

278

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 57 44.2
Northwestern Europe 16 12.4
Central Europe 23 17.8
Eastern Europe 4 3.1
Other Europe 1 0.8
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 13 10.1
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 32 24.8
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 40 31.0
Michigan 12 9.2
Other East North Central 8 6.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 18 14.0
South 2 1.6
Other UeSe 0 0.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 61 47.3
Northwestern EurOpe l9 14e7
Central EurOpe 25 19.4
Eastern Europe 4 3.1
Other Mops 2 1.6
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 11 8.5
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 28 21.7
Usual occupation
Professional workers 2 1.6
Semiprofessional workers 1 0.8
Farmers and farm managers 62 48.0
Proprietors, managers, and officials,
except farm 8 6.2
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craft-lien, foremen, and kindred workers 12 9.2
Operatives and kindred workers 2 1.6
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

279
Table 52 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Usual occupation

Service workers, except domestic 2 1.6
Fhrm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 2 1.6
Fhrm laborers (unpaid family workers) 1 0.8
Laborers, except farm 7 5.4
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of

occupation 6 4.6
No occupation given 6 4.6
Retired 18 14.0

100.0

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Buri‘l 109 84e5
Cremation l 0.8
Removal elsewhere 19 14.7

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 19 100.0
Other East North Central 3 15.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 1 5. 5
Other U.S. 0 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 53

CHARACTERISTICS OF MALE RURAL SUICIDES IN
MICHIGAN, 80 YEARS AND OVER, 1945—1949

 

 

Characteristic Number

Percent

 

Total number of cases in group: 44

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

0000:

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced 3
Unknown

sardro-4\N

Status of mate of married persons

Mate
Mate
Mate
Mate

still
still
still
still

alive,
8.]. ive,
alive,
alive,

older than deceased
younger than deceased
same age

age unknown

H OWW

Place of death
Hospital .
Home 3
Other

\flU-fi'

Date of death
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

...;
.b-HW N #0 4‘0““ HW

280

9.1

11.

...-
\ONO\-¥=‘\ON\.O\N?\O\NO\
Hwoomwoon-ootoooowoo

N
eeeee 0

100.0

100.0

100.0

100.0

281
Table 53 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 1 2.5
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation 12 27.3
Drowning 2 4.5
Firearms and explosives 23 52.2
Cutting or piercing instruments 5 11.4
Jumping from high places 1 2.3
Crushing ~ 0 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 4 9.1
2—9 years 2 4.5
10 years and over 17 38.6
All life . l 2.3
Not ascertainable 20 45.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide »
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 29 66.0
Michigan 16 36.4
Other East North Central 5 11.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 11.4
South 3 6.8
Other U.S. O 0.0
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 14 31.7
Northwestern Europe 3 6.8
Central Europe 8 18.1
Eastern Europe 1 2.3
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 4.5
Other Western hemisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable l 2.3
“ Birthplace of'mother of suicide in U.S. 13 29.6
Michigan 1 2.3
Other East North Central 10 22.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South ' 2 4.5
Other U.S. O 0.0

282
Table 53 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 13 29.6

Northwestern Europe 4 901
Central Europe 6 13.7
Eastern Europe 1 2.3
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 2 4.5
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 18 40.8
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 12 27.2
Michigan 4 9.1
Other East North Central 1 2.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 15.8
South ' O 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 18 40.8

Northwestern Europe 8 18.1
Central Europe 8 18.1
Eastern Europe 1 2.3
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland l 2.3
Other.Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 14 52.0
Usual occupation
Professional workers 0 0.0
Semiprofessiona workers 0 0.0
Farmers and farm managers 23 52.2
Proprietors, managers and officials,
except farm. 1 2.3
Clerical, sales, and kindred workers 0 0.0
Craftsmen, foremen, and kindred workers 4 9.1
Operatives and kindred workers 0 0.0
Domestic service workers 0 0.0

Table 53 (Continued)

\

283

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Usual occupation
Service workers, except domestic O 0.0
Farm laborers (wage workers) and farm foremen 0 0.0
Farm laborers (unpaid family workers) 0 0.0
Laborers, except farm. 0 0.0
Housewives 0 0.0
Students 0 0.0
Information inadequate for classification of
occupation 4 9.1
No occupation given 2 4.5
Retired 10 22.8
100.0
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 33 ' 75.0
Cremation l 2.3
Removal elsewhere 10 22.7
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 10 100.0
Michigan 9 90.0
Other East North Central 1 10.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 54

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,
PROFESSIONAL AND SEMIPROFESSIONAL OCCUPATION

 

 

 

Characteristic Nunbsr Percent
Total number of cases in group: 110
Age
10-12 0 2.0
15-2 5 .5
25-54 16 14.6
£44 31 28.1
54 28 25.5
55—64 16 14.6
65-74 - 9 8.2
75 and over 5 4.5
100.0
Sex
m. 84 76e‘
Feaale 26 23.6
100.0
Race
“hit. 108 98e2
Black 1 0.9
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 1 0.9
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Married 63 57.2
Widowed 8 7.3
Divorced 9 8.2
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older tl'mn deceased ll
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 36
Mate still alive, same age 5
Mate still alive, age unknown 10
1

Not ascertainable

284

Table 54 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Nmber Percent
Place of death
Hospital 29 26.4
Home 56 '50.9
Other 25 22.7
100.0
Date of death
January 10 9.1
March 6 5e5
April 11 10.0
May 8 7.3
June 12 11.0
comb.” 13 11.8
Novenber 5 4.5
Decanber 7 6.4
100.0
Cause of death '
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 22 20.1
Poisonous gases 13 11.8
Hanging or strangulation 21 19.1
Drowning 3 2.7
Firearms and explosives 35 31.8
Cutting or piercing instrlsnents 8 7.3
Jmping free high places 3 2.7
Crushing 5 4.5
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 15 13.6
2-9 years 17 15.5
10 years and over 31 28.2
All life 7 6.4
Not ascertainable 40 56.5
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 86.4
Michigan 50 45.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 15 13.6
Other East North Central 19 17.3
South 3 2.7
Other U.S. 8 7e,

286

Table 54 (Continued)

 

 

 

Numb er

 

Characteristic Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 15 13.7
Northwestern Europe 2 1.8
Central Europe 3 2.7
Eastern Europe 2 1.8
Other Mops 1 0.9
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 6 5.6
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign 1 0.9
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 59 53.6
Michigan 23 30.0
Other East North Central 1 13.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 12.7
South 5 4.5
Other U.S. 2 1.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 37 35-?
Northwestern Nope 10 9.1
Central Europe 12 11.0
Eastern Mops 3 2.7
Other Europe 1 0.9
Asia 1 0.9
Canada and Newfoundland 10 9.1
Other Western hanisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 14 12.7
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 56 50.9
Michigan 21 19.2
Other East North Central 15 13.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 15 13.6
Smith 4 3.6
Other U.S. 1 Oe9
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
0mm 1‘2 58e2
Northwestern Europe 16 14.6
Central mrope 12 10.9
Eastern Mope 3 2.7

Table 54 (Continued)

 

287

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country
Other Europe 1 0.9
Asia 1 0.9
Canada and Newfoundland 9 8.2
Other Western Henisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 12 10.9
Burial, auction, or renoval of body
Burial 67 60.9
Orenation 10 9.1
Ranoval elsewhere 33 30.0
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 31 93.9
Michigan 7 14 42.4
Other East North Central 8 24.2
Middle Atlantic and New England 6 18.2
South 1 3.0
Other U.S. 2 6.1
Removal of suicide in foreign country 2 6.1

Table 55

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN'MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,

FARMERS AND FARM MANAGERS

 

 

 

 

:—

 

 

AI.—
_I__

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 336
Age
10-14 0 0.0
2:: 9
' 19 5.7
55-44 43 12.7
45-54 36 10.7
55-64 86 25.6
65-74 92 27.5
75 and over 51 15.1
100.0
Residence
Rural 509 92.0
Urban 27 8.0
ImOO
Sex
Male 332 98.8
M1. 4 1e2
100.0
Race
"hit. 535 99-7
Black 1 0.3
Indian O 0.0
011111000 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Mhrital Status
Single 70 20.8
Married 180 53.6
Widowed 13 3.9
Divorced 72 21.4 _
Unknown 1 0.3
‘100.0
Status of mate of married persons
.Mete still alive, older than deceased 16
Mute still alive, younger than deceased 104
Mate still alive, same age 20

288

Table 55 (Continued)

289

 

 

 

 

Number

 

Characteristic Percent

Status of mate of married persons
Mute still alive, age unknown. 30
Not ascertainable 10

Place of death
Hans 268 79e8
0th” w 8e 9

100.0

Date of death
February 23 6.8
Mhrch 29 8.7
April 34 10.2
June 40 12.0
August 26 7.87
September 25 7.4
October 26 7.8
Novenber 24 7.1

100.0

Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 10 3.0
Poisonous gases l2 ‘ 3.6
Banging or strangulation 105 31.2
Drowning 12 3.6
Firearms and explosives 174 51.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 14 4.2
Jumping from high places 3 0-9
Crushing O 0.0
Other or unspecified means 6 1.8

Length of residence in.community 100.0
1 year or less 22 6.5
2-9 year- 15 5.9
10 years and over 88 26.2
All life 3 21.7
Not ascertainable 1 41.7

100.0

Table 55 (Continued)

 

290

 

 

Characteristic

 

Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 253 75.3
Other East North Central 50 8.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 2A
South 6 ‘ 1.8
Other U.S. 3 0.9
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 80 - 23.8
Northwestern Europe 17 5.1
Central Europe 42 12.4
Eastern Europe 12 3.6
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 0.3
Canada and Newfoundland 8 2.1!
Other Western hunisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 3 0.9
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 150 “.6
Miohiagn 91 ' 27.1
Other East North Central 28 8.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 23 6.8
Other U.S. 1 0.3
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 118 35.1
Northwestern Europe 31 9.2
Central Europe 48 14.3
lastern Nope 16 4.8
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 1 0.3
Canada and Newfoundland 22 6.5
Other western hanisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 68 20.3
Birthplace of father of suicide in 0.3. 144 42.8
Michigan 80 23.8
Other East North Central 27 8.0
Middle Atlantic and New mgland 32 9.3
8011“ 4 1.2
Other UeSe 1 0e,

291

hble 55 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 138 41.1
Northwestern Europe 43 12.8
Cmtral Europe 60 11.8
Eastern Europe 16 .8
Other Europe 1 0.3
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 18 5.4
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 51} 16.1

Burial, cruetion, or ranoval of body

Burial 285 815.8

Cremation 1 0.3

Renoval elsewhere 50 lh.9

100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. #9 98.0

Michigan . 33 70.0

Other East North Central 11 22.0

Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0

Other U.S. 1 2.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 2.0

Table 56

CHARACTERISTICS or SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,
PROPRIETORB, MANAGERS, AND OFFICIALS

 

 

 

 

“—

W

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 156
Age
10-14 0 0.0
l5-24 l 0.6
25-34 14 8.9
55.44 22 22.4
45—54 28-5
55-6h 57 25.8
65:11; 18 11.5
75 and over 7 4.3
IwOO
Residence
Rural 54 34.6
Urban 102 65.4
100.0
Sex
Male 151 96.8
leo 5 5e2
100.0
Race
White 156 100.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
Bingl. 1’ 8.2
Married 119 76.
Widowed 8 ’el
Divorced 15 9.6
Umown l 0.6
100.0
8tatus of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased ll
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 81
Mate still alive, same age 9

292

Table 56 (continued)

295

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, age unknown 16
Not ascertainable 2

Place of death
Hospital 31 19.9
Home 97 62.2
Other 28 17.9

100.0

Date of death
January 17 10.9
beruary 11 7.1
March 20 12.7
May 8 5.1
June 11 7.1
July 12 7.7
August 11 7.1
September 8 5.1
October 17 10.9
Novenber 11 7.1

100.0

Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 7 4.5
Poisonous gases 21 13.5
Banging or strangulation. 26 16.7
Drowning 5 3.2
Firearms and explosives 83 53.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 1.3
Jumping from high places 7 4.3
Crushing 2 1.3
Other or unspecified means 3 1.9

Length of residence in community 100.0
1 year or less 7 4.5
2-9 years 18 11.5
10 years and over 69 44.2
All life 19 12.2
Not ascertainable 43 27.6

100.0

Table 56 (Continued)

 

I;
_—-:

294

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 122 78.2
Michigan 75 48.1
Other East North Central 17 10.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 13 8.3
South 12 Be:
Other 0.8. ' 2e6
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 33 21.2
Northwestern Europe 6 3.8
Central Europe 11 7.2
Eastern Europe 8 5.1
Other Europe 2 1.3
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 6 3.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 1 0.6
Birthplace of‘mother of suicide in U.S. 78 50.0
Other East North Central 13 8.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 5.8
South 10 6.4
OthCr 0.8. 1 Oe6
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign -
country 57 36.5
Northwestern Europe 15 9.6
Central Europe 23 14.7
Eastern Europe 7 4.5
Other Europe 3 1.9
AC1Q 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 9 5.8
Other Western henisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 21 13.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 68 43.6
Michigan 36 23.1
Other East North Central 17 10.9
‘Middle Atlantic and New England 9 5.8
South 5 3.2
Other U.S. 1 0.6

Table 36 (Continued)

j I 4‘. I
j M

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country 71 43.3
Northwestern Europe 18 11.5
Central Europe 22 14.1
Eastern Europe 9 5.8
Other Europe 3 1.9
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 19 12.2
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Not ascertainable 17 10.9

Burial, cremation, or remOVal of body

Burial 119 76.3

Cremation 5 3.2

Removal elsewhere 32 20.5

100.0
Removal of suicide in.U.S. 31 96.9

Michigan 18 56.2

Other East North Central 3 15.6

Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.3

South 4 12.3

Other U.S. 2 6.3

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 3.1

Table 57

CHARACTERISTICS or SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
CLERICAL, SALES, AND KINDRED WORKERS

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 169
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15-24 17 10.1
25-34 50 17.8
55.44 55 20-7
45-54 #7 27.7
55—64 52 18.9
65-74 8 4.8
75 and over 0 0.0
100.0
Sex
Male 131
Female 38
Race
White 167 98.8
813°}: 2 Ice
Indian O 0.0
Chinese 0 .0.0
Japanese C 0.0
100.0
Marital Status .
Single 49 29.0.
Married 90 53.3
Widowed 20 11.8
Divorced 10 5.9
100.0
Status of mate of married persons Male Fenale
Mate still alive, older than deceased 14 4
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 43 2
Mate still alive, same age 7 0
Mate still alive, age unknown 14 4
Not ascertainable 2 0
Date of death
Pbbruary 14 5-5

296

297
Tuble 57 (Continued)

f m:—
a: I

 

 

 

Lani.

Characteristic Nmber Percent
I
Date of death
March 15 7.7
April 10 5.9
May 18 10.6
July 20 11.8
August 5 3.0
Septanber 16 9.5
October 19 11.2
Novmber 15 8.9
Decanber 13 8.9
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 23 13.6
Poisonous gases 23 13.6
Hanging or strangulation 42 24.8
Drowning 7 4.1
Firearms and explosives. 56 33.2
Cutting or piercing instruments 6 3.6
Jumping from high places 10 3.9
Crushing 2 1.2
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 years or less 11 10.0
2-9 years 2 14.2
10 years and over 63 37.4
All life 22 13.0
Not ascertainable 43 25.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U. 8. 147 87.0
Michigan. 77 45. 6 ‘
Other lust North.Centra1 27 16.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 22 13.0
South 10 5.9
01511” U.S. 11 6e5
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 20 11.8
Northwestern Mops 4 2.4
Central Europe 2 1.2
Eastern Europe 3 1.8
Other Europe 0 0.0

Table 57 (Continued)

1

 

 

298

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 11 6.4
Other Western hunisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 2 1.2
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 91 53.8
Michigan 40 23.6
Other East North Central 25 14.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 10 5.9
South 11 6.5
Other U.S. 5 3.0
Birthplace of nether of suicide in foreign
eeuntry 54 32.0
Northwestern Nope 10 5.9
Central Europe 20 11.9
Eastern Europe 8 4.7
Other Europe 0 0.0
Ant 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 15 8.9
Other Western hanisphere 1 0.6
Not ascertainable 24 14.2
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 95 56.2
Other East North Central 22 13.0
Middle Atlantic and New blgland 16 9.3
South 11 6.5
Other U.S. 2 1.2
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 55 52-5
Northwestern Europe 13 7.7
Central Europe 22 12.0
Eastern Eirope 8 .7
Other Europe 0 0-0
Afli‘ 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 12 7-1
Other Western hcnisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 19 11.5

Table 57 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Burial, ermtion, or removal of body
Burial 104
Crunation 14
Renoval elsewhere 51
Renoval of suicide in U.S. 90.2
Michigan 25 49.0
Other East North Central 9 l7.
. Middle Atlantic and New England 6 11.8
South 5 5e9
Other U.S. 3 5.9
Removal of suicide in foreign country 9.8

Thble 58

CHARACTERISTICS or SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
CRAFTSMEN, F'OREMEN, OPERATIVES, AND KINDRED roams

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 668
Age
10-14 o 0.0
15.24 56 5.4
25-54 95 13-9
55.44 147 22.0
45-54 166 24.8
55—64 133 19.2
65-74 68 10.2
75 Qnd 0793‘ 25 5e?
.. 100.0
Sex
Male 633
Finale 15
Race
White 659 ”-7
Black 8 1.2
Indian 1 0.1
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status Male Feaale
Single 113 1 17.1
Married 425 9 65.0
Widowed 50 5 709
Divorced 65 2 10.0
100.0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 47 4
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 277 3
Mate still alive, same ago 30 1
Hits still alive, age unknown. 58 1
Not ascertainable 13 0
Place of death
Hospital 131 22.6
Home 388 58.1
100.0

301
Table 58 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 50 7.5
February 47 7.0
web 64 9e6
April 60 9.0
May 70 10.4
June 34 8.1
August 46 6.9
October 57 5.5
Novenber 46 6.9
December 64 9.6
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 55 8.2
Poisonous gases 72 10.8
Banging or strangulation 162 24.2
Drowning 50 4.5
Firearms and explosives 283 42.5
Cutting or piercing instruments 31 4.6
Junping frail high places 16 7.4
Crushing ' 10 1.5
Other or unspecified means 9 1.3
100.0
Length of residence in community
. 1 year or less 45 6.7
2 years 22 3.3
3 your. 6 0e?
4 years 16 2.4
3 years 12 1.8
6 years 10 1.5
7 years 9 1.3
8 y”. 7 1.0
9 years 3 0.1
10 years and over 236 38.
All life 80 12.0
Not ascertainable 200 30.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 502 75.1
Michigan 295 44.2
Other East North Central 80 12.0

Table 58 (Continued)

 

m

 

302

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in 0.8.
Middle Atlantic and New England 47 7.0
BOUth 59 8.8
Other U.S. 21 501
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 163 24.4
Northuestern Europe 36 3.4
Cultral mrope 76 11.4
Eastern Nope 24 3.6
Other Europe 8 1.2
‘Ci‘ 1 0e].
Canada and Newfoundland 16 2.4
Other Western huisphere 0 0.0
All other foreign 2 0.3
Not ascertainable 3 0.5
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 302 45.2
Michigan 147 21.9
Other East North Central 65 9.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 30 4.5
0th” U.S. 8 1e2
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 276 41.3
Northwestern Europe 64 9.6
Central Eirope 132 19.8
Eastern Europe 39 5.8
Other Nope 12 1.8
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 29 4.5
Other Western huisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 90 13.5
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 287 43.0
Michigan 133 20.0
Other East North Central 33 7.9
Middle Atlantic and New hagland 35 5.2
“nth 57 8e6
OthCr U.S. 9 10’

hble 58 (Continued)

 

 

It

 

 

_—

503

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 502 A5e2
Northwestern Europe 77 11.6
Central Europe 141 21.2
Eastern Europe 59 5.8
Other Europe 13 1.9
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 31 4.6
Other Western hanisphere l 0.1
Not ascertainable 79 11.8
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 511 76.2
Cremation 16 2.
Renoval elsewhere 141 21.1
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 140 99.3
Other East North Central 28 19.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 9 6.4
South *— 16 11.3
Other Ue‘e ' A 2e8
Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 0.7

Table 59

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945-1949,
SERVICE WORKERS

.:
-w

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Tbtal number of cases in groups 168
Age
10—14 0 0.0
15-24 10 6.0
25-54 25 14.9
3 32 19.0
45-54 31 18.4
55-64 57 22.1
65.74 26 15.4
75 and over 7 4.2
100.0
Sex
Mule 142
Female 26
Race .
White 156 92.8
Black 10 6.0
Chinese 1 0.6
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status Male Fenale
Single 43 6 29.2
Widowed 11 5 9.5
Divorced 15 6 12.5
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 8 3
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 42 l
Mate still alive, same age ‘ 4 0
Mute still alive, age unknown 16 3
Not ascertainable 3 2
Place of death
Hospital 47 28.0
Rm. 92 51‘s?
100.0

505
Table 59 (Continued)

 

“.47

 

 

 

-
1

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January ’ ‘ 14 8.3
February 7 4.2
krch 18 10e8
April 12 7.1
May 15 7.7
July 15 7-7
August 13 7.7
September 16 9.6
October 20 12.0
November 15 8.9
mmber 1) 7e7
100.0
Cause of death -
Poisoning (solid or liquid) . 18 10.7
Poisonous gases 7 4.2
Hanging or strangulation. 47 28.0
. Drowning 12 7e].
Firearms and explosives 66 39.2
Jumping from.high places 7 4.2
Cutting or piercing instruments 6 3.6
Other or unspecified means 4 2.4
. . ImOO
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 20 11.9
2-9 years 23 13.7
10 years and over 61 36.3
Not ascertainable 49 29.2
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 122 72.6
Michigan . 70 41.7
Other East North Central 18 10.7
' Middle Atlantic and New England 12 7.1
South 13 707
0th” U.S. 9 5e“
\ Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 45 26.8
Northwestern.Europe 7 4.2
Central Europe 25 14.8

Tuble 59 (Continued)

 

 

306

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Eastern Europe 5 3.0
Other Europe 5 3.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 3 1.8
Other Western.hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable l 0.6
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 64 38.1
Michigan 33 19.7
Other East North Central 14 8.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 2.4
South 11 6e5
Other U.S. 2 1e2
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 75 44.6
Northwestern Europe 14 8. 5
Central Europe 41 24.3
Eastern Europe 2 1.2
Other Europe 7 4.2
Asia 1 0.6
Canada and Newfoundland 10 6.0
Other Western homisphere 0 0.0
Not ascertainable 29 17.3
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 62 36.9
Other East North Central 14 8.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 2.4
Other UeSe ‘4 2e“
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 83 49.4
Northwestern Europe 15 8.9
Central Europe 41 24.4
Eastern Europe 5 2.0
Other Europe 7 .2
A31‘ 1 0e6
Canada and Newfoundland 14 8.5
Net ascertainable 23 13.7

307

Table 59 (Continued)
W

 

 

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Burial, crmnation, or renoval of body

Burial 116 69.0
Crecation 4 2.4
Removal elsewhere 48 28.6

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 47 97.9
Michigan 28 58.3
Other East North Central . 9 18.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 5 6.3
South 3 6.3
Other U.S. 4 8.3

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 2.1

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN, 1945—1949,

 

Table 60

 

 

 

FARM LABORERS
Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group! 33
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15-24 3 9.1
25-54 7 21.2
35-44 6 18.2
45.54 2 6.1
55-64 8 24.2
65—74 6 18.2
75 and over 1 3.0
100.0
Sex
Mule 32 97.0
Fenale l 3.0
100.0
Race
White 32 97.0
Black 0 0.0
Indian 1 3.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
Marital Status Male Female
Single 17 0
Married 8 l
Widowed 1 0
Divorced l 0
Unknown 5 0
Status of mate of married persons
' Mate still alive, older than deceased O 0
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 6 O
Mate still alive, same age 0 O
Mate still alive, age unknown. 2 0
Not ascertainable - O l

Table 60 (Continued)

A I I I W I I—wmw- ===

309

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Place of death
Hospital 4 12.1
Home 24 72.7
Other 5 15.2
100.0
Date of death
January 1 3.1
February 3 9.0
March 2 6e 1
April 5 9.0
May 3 15.2
June 3 15.2
July 2 6.1
August 1 3.0
Septanber 1 3. 0
October 5 15.2
Novanber 3 9. C
100e 0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 1 3.0
Poisonous gases 0 0.0
Hanging or strangulation 10 30.4
Drowning 5 9e 0
Firearms and explosives 17 51.6
Cutting or piercing instruments 2 6.0
Jumping from high places 0 0.0
Crushing o 0.0
1m. 0
Length of residence in community
1 years or less 4 12.1
2—9 years 6 18.1
10 years and over 6 18.1
A11 life 4 12. 1
Net ascertainable 13 39.6
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. .22 66.7
Other East North Central 2 6.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 3 9.1
South 2 6.1
Other U.S. l 5.0

 

Table 60 (Continued)

 

 

___:

310

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 9 27.3
Northwestern.Europe l 3.0
Central Europe 5 15.2
Eastern Europe 2 6.1
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 0 0.0
Other Western hemisphere 1 3.0
Net ascertainable 2 6.0
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in.U.S. 17 52.0
Other East North Central 1 3.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 6.0
South 2 6.0
Othor U.S. 1 3.0
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign
country . , 8 24.0
NOrthwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 4 12.0
Eastern Europe 3 9.0
Other mrope ‘ 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere 1 3.0
Not ascertainable 8 24.0
Birthplace of father of suicide in 0.8. 15 45.4
Michigan ' 10 30.3
Other East North Central 1 3.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 3 9.1
South 0 0.0
Other UeSe 1 3e°
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign ‘
country 10 30.4
Northwestern.Europe O 0.0
Central Europe 6 18.2
Eastern Europe 3 9.1

Table 60 (Continued)

 

311

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country
Other Europe 0 0.0
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland O 0.0
Other Western hemisphere l 3.1
Not ascertainable 24.2
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Cremation O 0.0
Removal elsewhere 5 15.2 '
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 100.0
Michigan 2 40.0
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 20.0
South 1 20.0
Other UeSe 1 20e0
Removal of suicide in foreign country 0.0

Thble 61

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN,
1945-1949, LABORERS

 

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Total number of cases in group! 131

Age

10—14 0 0.0 .

15-24 7 5.5

25.54 13 9.9

35-44 24 18.3

45-54 27 20.6

55.64 54 26.1

65-74 19 14.5

75 and over 7 5.3

100.0

Sex

Male 130 99.2

Fenale , 1 0.8

e IwOO
Race

White 122 93.1

31301: 9 6e9

Indian 0 0.0

Chinese 0 0.0

Japanese 0 0.0

100.0

hrital Status Male Female

Single 48 0

Married 55 1

Widowed 9 O

Divorced 14 0

Unknown 4 0
Status of mate of married persons

Mate still alive, older than deceased 5 l

Mate still alive, younger than deceased 36 O

Mate still alive, same age 4 O

Mate still alive, age unknown 8 0

Not ascertainable 2 0
Place of death

Hospital 17 13.0

Home 86 65.6

Other 28 21.4 100.0

512

515

Table 61 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

Date of death
January 7 5.3
February 10 7.6
March 14 10.7
April 7 5.3
May 12 9.2
June 18 13.7
July 11 8.4
August 16 12.3
September ' 15 11.3
October 10 7.6
November 2 1.5
December 9 6.9

100.0

Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid)

5 8
Poisonous gases 3 2.3*
Hanging or strangulation 48 36.6
Drowning 10 7e 6
Firearms and explosives 52 39.7
Cutting or piercing instruments 9 6.9
Jumping from.high places 0 0.0
Other or unspecified means 1 0.8
100.0
Length of residence in.community
1 year or less 10 7.6
2.9 years 19 14.5
10 years and over 36 27.5
All life 21 16.0
Not ascertainable 45 34.4
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 90 68.7
Michigan 66 50.4
Other East North Central 9 6.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 1.5
South 10 7.6
Other U.S. 5 2. 5
Birthplace of suicide in.foreign country - 36 27.5
Northwestern Europe 4 3.1
Central Europe 20 15.2

Table 61 (Continued)

314

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Eastern Europe 6 4.6
Other Europe 2 1.5
A.1.. O 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 3 2.3
Other Western hemisphere l 0.8
Not ascertainable 5 3.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in.U.S. 55 42.0
Michigan 31 23.6
Other East North Central 8 6.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 4.6
South 9 6.9
Other U.S. 1 0.8
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 48 36.6
Northwestern Europe 8 6.1
Central Europe 24 18.2
Eastern Europe 10 7.6
Other Europe 1 0.8
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 4 3.1
Other Western homisphere l 0.8
Not ascertainable 28 21.4
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 52 39.7
'Other East North Central 7 3.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 7 5.4
South 10 7.6
Other Uese. 2 1e5
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 33 40.5
Northwestern Europe 9 6.9
Central Europe 25 17.7
Eastern Europe 10 7.6
Other Europe 2 1.5

515
Table 61 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country
Asia 0 0.0
Canada and Newfoundland 7 5.3
Other Western.hemisphere 2 1.5
Not ascertainable 26 19.8
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 102 77.9
Cremation. 3 2.3
Renoval elsewhere 26 19.8
100.0
Rmoval Of mioido 1n U.S. 26 100.0
Other East North Central 4 15.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 4 15.4
South 0 0.0
Other U.S. O 0.0

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

Table 62

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN,

1945-1949, HOUSEMIvES

 

 

316

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 486
Age
10-14 0 0.0
15—24 16 .3.3
25.54 78 16.1
35-44 95 19.5
45-34 118 24.5
55-64 102 21.0
65-74 50 10.3
75 md over 26 5e,
100.0
Race
white 477 95.1
Black 9 1.9
Indian 0 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status
811181. 6 1e2
Married 400 82.3
Widowed 10 2.1
Divorced 68 14.0
Unknown 2 0.4
100.0
Status of’mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 226
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 64
Mate still alive, same age 26
Mate still alive, age unknown 71
Not ascertainable 13
Place of death
Hospital 147 30.3
Home 298 61.3
Other A]. 8e4
100.0

517
Table 62 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 30 6.2
February 22 4.3
“rah 1‘8 9e9
April 1'0 8e2
m 1.0 8e2
Jun. 56 11e5
July 2"; 8e0
‘uguat 9e].
September 40 8.2
October 48 9.9
November 47 9.7
December 32 6.6
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 101 20.8
Poisonous gases 27 5.6
thging or strangulation 169 34.9
Drowning 42 8e6
Firearms and explosives 93 19.1
Cutting or piercing instruments 23 4.7
Jumping from high places 19 3.9
Crushing 3 1.0
Other or unspecified means 7 1.4
100.0
Length of residence in.community
1 year or less 39 8.0
2-9 years 64 13.2
10 years and over 164 33.7
All life 49 10.1
Not ascertainable 170 33.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 367 75.5
Michigan 217 44.6
Other East NOrth Central 70 14.4
Middle Atlantic and New England 29 6.0
South 39 8.0
Other U.S. 12 2.3
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 119 24.5
Northwestern Europe 24 4.9

Central Europe 41 8.4

Table 62 (Continued)

 

318

 

 

 

f

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Eastern Europe 14 2.9
Other Europe 9 1.9
461‘ 1 092
Canada and Newfoundland 28 5.8
Other Western hnisphere 2 0.4
Birthplace cf’mother of suicide in U.S. 212 , 43.6
Michigan 88 18.0
Other East North Central 46 9.5
Middle Atlantic and New England 32 6.6
South 37 7.6
Other U.S. 9 1e9
Birthplace of’mother of suicide in.foreign
country 183 38.1
Northwestern Europe 50 10.3 .
Central Europe 81 16.6
Eastern Europe 14 2.9
Other Europe 10 2.1
Asia 1 0.2
Canada and Newfoundland 26 5.4
Other Western hemisphere 3 0.6
Not ascertainable 89 18.3
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 216 44.5
Other East North Central 45 9.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 44 9.1
South 35 7.2
Other U.S. 9 leg
Birthplace of father of suicide in.foreign
country 208 42.8
Northwestern.Europe 55 11.3
Central Europe 87 17.9
Eastern Europe 19 509
Other Europe 11 2.3
A.1‘ 2 Oe‘
Canada and Newfoundland. 31 6.4
Other Western hemisphere 3 0.6
Not ascertainable 62 12.7

319
Table 62 (Continued)

 

r

 

 

Characteristic Numb er Percent

 

Burial, cranation, or removal of body

Burial 571 76.3 -
Cranation 11 . 2.3
Runoval elsewhere 104 21.11
100.0
Rmoval of maid. in Uese 99 ' ”e2
Other East North Central 13 14.1!
Middle Atlantic and New England 3 4.8
0th” U.S. 2 leg

Ranoval of suicide in foreign country 3 13.8

Table 63
CHARACTERISTICS OF SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN,

1945-1949, STUDENTS

 

 

 

320

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 42
Age
10-14 3 11.9
13-24 30 71.8
25-34 6 1h.)
33-44 C 0.0
#754 1 2.4
554% o 0.0
63-74 C 0.0
73 and over 0 0.0
lmOo
8e:
m1. 3]. 75e8
Finale 11 26.2
100.0
Race
White 41 97.6
Black 1 2.#
Indian. O 0.0
Chinese 0 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status male Female
Single 28 11
Married 3 O
Widowed O O
Divorced O 0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased O 0
Nate still alive, younger than deceased 2 O
Mate still alive, same age 0 0
Hate still alive, age unknown. 0 0
Not ascertainable 1 0
Place of death
Kane 21 ”00
100.0

321

Table 63 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death. .
January 6 14.3
February 2 4.8
march 8 19.0
April 4 9e,
May 4 9e5
June 5 1109
July 2 4.8
August _4 9e§
Septanber 1 2.4
October 3 7.1
NO'mbu‘ 1 2e4
December 2 4.8
100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 3 11.9
Poisonous gases 2 4.8
Hanging or strangulation 13 31.0
mom 1 Zeh
Firearms and explosives 20 47.3
Cutting or piercing instruments 0 0.0
Jumping from high places 1 2.4
Crushing\ O 0.0
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 3 7.1
2-9 years 3 11.9
10 years and over 9 21.4
All life 13 33.8
Not ascertainable 10 23.8
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. 93.2
Michigan ‘. 33 78.6
Other East North Central- 3 7.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
Other UeSe 1 2e‘
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country . 4.8
Northwestern Europe 0 0.0
Central Europe 0 0.0
Eastern Europe O 0.0

322
Tuble 63 (Continued)

W

Characteristic Number Percent

,__._;
w.

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country -
0.0

Other Europe 0

Asia 1 2.4
Canada and Newfoundland C 0.0
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
All other foreign l 2.4

Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 33 . 83.3

Michigan ’ - 21 30.0
Other East North Central 3 11.9
Middle Atlantic and New England 1 2.4
South 8 19.0
Other Us Be 0 0e 0

Birthplace of’mother of suicide in foreign
country 7 16.7

Northwestern Europe 1 2.4
Central Europe 3 7.1
Eastern Europe 0 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
A31‘ 1 2e 4
Canada and Newfoundland 2 4.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0

Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 32 76.2
Michigan 14 33. 3
Other East North Central 10 23.8
Middle Atlantic and New.England 1 2.h
South 6 Ike,
Other Ue Be 1 2e 4

Birthplace of father of suicide in.foreign

country' . 9 21.4
Northwestern Europe 1 2.4
Central Europe # 9.h
Ehstern.Europe O 0.0
Other Europe 0 0.0
AI10. 1 2e!"
Canada and Newfoundland 1 2.4
Other Western hemisphere 1 2.4
All other foreign 1 2.4

Not ascertainable 1 2.4

523
Table 63 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Burial 33 78.3
Cremation 2 4.8
Removal elsewhere 7 16.7

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 7 100.0
Michigan 5 71.1;
Other East North Central 0 0.0
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 1 Ike)
Other Us Be 1 Ike 5

Removal of suicide in foreign country 0 0.0

CHARACTERISTICS or SUICIDES IN'MICHIGAN, 1945-1949

Table 64

OCCUPATION UNKNOWN

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Total number of cases in group: 600
Age
10-12 A; 0.0
15—2 7.5
25-54 94 13.7
55—4A 114 19.0
43-34 106 17.6
33-64 ' 142 23.8
65-74 65 10.8
73 and over 29 4.8
Unknown 3 0.8
. 100.0
Sen
Male 321 86.8
Pml. 79 15e2
100.0
Race
White 337 92.8
Black #0 6.7
0111MB. O 0.0
Japanese 0 0.0
100.0
Marital Status Male resale
Single 130 13
Married 21: 33
Widowed 11
Divorced 34 20
Unknown 23 0
Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased 31 16
Mate still alive, younger than deceased 131 4
Mate still alive, same age 13 1
Nate still alive, age unknown 48 11
Not ascertainable A 17 3

524

Table 64 (Continued)

r

525

 

—:-

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Place of death
Hospital 133 22.3
Rm, 561 60e2
Other 104 17e5
100.0
Date of death
January 57 9.5
February 47 7.8
March 62 10.3
April 72 12.1
June 30 8.3
July 42 7.0
August 31 8.3
September 47 7.8
October 33 3.8
November 43 7.3
Decenber #5 7.2
100.0
Cause of death .
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 33 8.8
Poisonous gases 37 6.2
Hanging or strangulation 167 27.8
Drowning 38 6.3
Firearms and saplosives 240 40.0
Cutting or piercing instruments 28 4.7
Jumping from high places 16 2.7
Crushing 12 2.0
Other or unspecified means 9 1.3
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 40 6.7
2-9 years 55 907
10 years and over 1 9 29.8
All life 7 7.8
Not.ascertainable 276 46.0
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in 0.8. 434 72.;
Michigan 262 #5.?
Other East North Central 66 11.0
Middle Atlantic and New England .23 3.8
South 73 12.1
Other UeSe 10 1e?

526
Table 64 (Continued)

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide

Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 131 21.8
Northwestern Europe 17 2.8
Central Europe 61 10.2
Eastern Europe 20 3.3
Other Europe 12 2.0
Asia 2 0.3
Canada and Newfoundland 18 3.0
Other Western hemisphere ‘ l 0.2

Not ascertainable 33 ' 3.7

Birthplace of’mother of suicide in U.S. 337 42.8
Michigan 124 20.7
Other East North Central 43 7.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 20 3.3
South 60 10.0
Other U.S. 8 105

Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 206 34.3

Northwestern Europe 38 6.3
Central Europe 88 14.7
Eastern Europe 22 3.7
Other Europe 12 2.0
Aaifi 2 0e,
Canada and Newfoundland 41 6.8
Other Western hemisphere 2 0.3
All other foreign 1 0.2
Not ascertainable 137 22.9
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 254 42.}
Michigan 109 18.2
Other East North Central 47 7.8
Middle Atlantic and New England 29 4.8
Boath. 6o lOeO
0th., UeSe 9 1e5
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 223 37.2
Northwestern Europe 45 702

Central Europe 96 13.9

527
Table 64 (Continued)

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign

country
Eastern Europe 28 4.7
Other Europe 13 2.2
Asia 4 0.7
Canada and Newfoundland 38 6.3
Other Western hemisphere 1 0.2
Not ascertainable 123 20.3
Burial, cremation, or removal of body
Burial 462 77e°
Cremation 9 1.3
Renoval elsewhere 129 21.3
100.0
Removal of suicide in U.S. 127 98.4
Michigan 67 31.9
Other East North Central 24 18.6
Middle Atlantic and New England 0 0.0
South 4 ’2 21'38
Other U.S. 1‘ 3e].

Removal of suicide in foreign country' 2 1.6

Table 63

CHARACTERISTICS or SUICIDES IN MICHIGAN,
' 1945-1949, RETIRED

 

W

I

Charac teri stic

Number

Percent

 

TY

Total number of cases in group: 182

Age
10-14
13-24
25-54
5544
45-54
55-64
65-74

73 and over

Sex
Male
Penale

Race
White
Black
Indian
Chinese
Japanese

Marital Status
Single
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Unknown

Status of mate of married persons
Mate still alive, older than deceased
Mate still alive, younger than deceased
Mate still alive, same age .
Mate still alive, age unknown
Not ascertainable

Place of death
Hospital
Hone
Other

328

figfiauouro

168
14

COO-9'

Male Female
55
63

6

57
5

ON HVW

10
55
6

13
1

HOHOH

45
116
21

100.0

100.0

97.8

2.2

0.0

0.0

0.0
100.0

24.7
63.8

”’5 100.0

Table 65 (Continued)

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Date of death
January 13 7.1
beruary 9 4.9
March 17 9.5
April 11 6.0
May 16 8.8
Jun. ‘ 16 8.8
August 19 ' 10.3
September 14 7.7
OOtOber 12 6e6
November 18 9.9 ’
Decenber . 21 11.6
' 100.0
Cause of death
Poisoning (solid or liquid) 17 9.1
Poisonous gases 8 .
Hanging or strangulation. 39 32.4
Drowning 16 8.8
Firearms and explosives 38 31.9
Cutting or piercing instruments .16 8.8
Jumping from high places 4 2.2
Crushing 4 2.2
100.0
Length of residence in community
1 year or less 11 6.0
2-9 years 18 9.9
10 years and over 82 43.1
All life 18 9.9
Not ascertainable 33 29.1
100.0
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in U.S. _ 114 62.6
Other East North Central 21 11.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 8 4.4
South 9 4.9
Other Ueae 4 2e2
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country 68 37.4
Northwestern Europe 11 6.0
Central Europe 33 19.3

Eastern Europe 10 5-6

Table 63 (Continued)

550

 

Characteristic Number Percent
Birthplace of suicide
Birthplace of suicide in foreign country
Other Europe 3 '1.6
A313. 1 Des
Canada and Newfoundland 8 4.4
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Birthplace of mother of suicide in U.S. 38 31.8
Michigan 20 11.0
Other East North Central 10 3.3
Middle Atlantic and New England 16 8.8
South 11 6.0
Other Uses 1 0e5
Birthplace of mother of suicide in foreign
country 82 A5e1
Northwestern Europe 20 11.1
Central Europe 40 22.1
Eastern Europe 11 6.0
Other Europe 3 1.6
Asia 1 0.3
Canada and Newfoundland 7 3.8
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 42 23.1
Birthplace of father of suicide in U.S. 60 33.0
Michigan 20 11.0
Other East North Central 11 6.1
Middle Atlantic and New England 20 11.0
South 8 4.4
Other U.S. 1 0e5
Birthplace of father of suicide in foreign
country 88 48.3
Northwestern Europe 18 9.9
Central Europe 47 23.9
Eastern Europe 11 6.0
Other Europe 3 1.6
Asia 1 0.3
Canada and Newfoundland 8 4.4
Other Western hemisphere O 0.0
Not ascertainable 34 18.7

551
Table 63 (Continued)

 

 

 

Characteristic Number Percent

 

Burial, cremation, or removal of body

Crenation 4 2.2
Removal elsewhere 36 19.8

100.0

Removal of suicide in U.S. 33 97.2
Michigan 18 30.0
Other East North Central 10 27.7
Middle Atlantic and New England 2 3.6
BOUth 1 2.8
Other 0.3. 4 11.1

Removal of suicide in foreign country 1 2.8

......
.. . :mW
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5148181961:
MAR30 1961i