How do I find out how my ancestors passed away. About 6 family members die between the 1860 1nd 1870 census. None of these were serving in the actual war. Among these, my gggrandparents William and Martha Lamberson Prince Of Independence Co, AR who die suddenly and leave children as old as 23 down to as young as 4. In the 1870 census these children are living with a woman in in another part of Independence co. Big Bottom Township. If there weren't death certificates, how can you trace them? Lisa