diff --git a/src/gen/db/base.py b/src/gen/db/base.py
index c407eb31c..622531d62 100644
--- a/src/gen/db/base.py
+++ b/src/gen/db/base.py
@@ -1526,3 +1526,40 @@ class GrampsDbBase(object):
         Return whethere there were bookmark changes during the session.
         """
         raise NotImplementedError
+
+    def get_birth_or_fallback(self, person):
+        """
+        """
+        birth_ref = person.get_birth_ref()
+        if birth_ref:   # regular birth found
+            event = self.get_event_from_handle(birth_ref.ref)
+            if event:
+                return event
+        # now search the event list for fallbacks
+        for event_ref in person.get_primary_event_ref_list():
+            if event_ref:
+                event = self.get_event_from_handle(event_ref.ref)
+                if (event
+                    and event.type.is_birth_fallback()
+                    and event_ref.role.is_primary()):
+                    return event
+        return None    
+
+    def get_death_or_fallback(self, person):
+        """
+        """
+        death_ref = person.get_death_ref()
+        if death_ref:   # regular death found
+            event = self.get_event_from_handle(death_ref.ref)
+            if event:
+                return event
+        # now search the event list for fallbacks
+        for event_ref in person.get_primary_event_ref_list():
+            if event_ref:
+                event = self.get_event_from_handle(event_ref.ref)
+                if (event
+                    and event.type.is_death_fallback()
+                    and event_ref.role.is_primary()):
+                    return event
+        return None    
+