Genealogy Chat

A relative of mine was found dead at her place of work in 1899, which leads me to believe there would have been an inquest.
Turns out she died of heart failure, so maybe it wasn't suspicious, but it got me wondering if it's possible to access records of Coroner's reports.
If so, where do I start looking?

K

Don't think there's any full copies of these kinds of records??

However if you check the local paper there should be something listed in there as i found something for my gr grandfather who commited suicide, along with eye witness accounts and part of the coroners report.

Martin

I'd try the library nearest to where the event took place for filmed copies of local newspaper reports from the time.

You will be more likely to find a report of the inquest rather than coroner's reports.

Kath. x

Thanks both for your help.
Excuse my ignorance, Kathleen, I presumed report of inquest and coroner's report were one and the same thing. Ah well, I've learned something today!!

K

Hi Karen

It appears that normally there is a 75 year closure clause re Coroner reports, I have just been in touch with Manchester Coroners Office re my grt Uncles death which stated on certificate post mortem no inquest required.

Manchester have them from 1959 and I have had to forward copy of death certificate (1969) and proof of relationship to deceased they will then decide (6 weeks) if I can have copy and how much it will be.

Regards
Frances

Sorry Karen,

What I meant to say was a newspaper report could possibly be found at the library - not the actual coroner's report.

My great grandfather died in a railway accident and the local newspaper reported on the inquest - giving lots of details of the accident - witnesses names, who called for medical assistance who went with him to the hospital, etc.

I got a photocopy of this newspaper report from the library for just a few pence.

Kath. x

Thanks all, I'm hopeful that something might be found in a newspaper article.....I'll start searching for information on the newspaper of the time.

Thanks.
K

You can get a report of the inquest by writing to the local coroner.

Sorry to highjack your thread Karen.

I found out, via a B/Relative I have contacted recently, that My B/Mother died suddenly on her way to work . It's odd that her place of death on the cert. is her home address. She may even have been taken to hospital, I don't know for certain.
I don't know IF there was an inquest.Does anyone know : In the 1940's was it law that any sudden death needed a coroners report?
I haven't a clue where to start looking! I don't live near my place of birth so can't pop into the library.
Many thanks
Ann

Ann,

I would say that a sudden death would involve an inquest (unless the deceased had been seeing the doctor regularly). However if it was wartime then things might have not happened the way they usually did.
If the place of death was given on her death certificate as her home address then that is where she should have died. Who was the informant on the death certificate? If there was an inquest then the informant should have been the coroner.

Kath. x

Thanks Kath
Sorry, I have been out tonight + only just got back.
I will have a good look at the death cert in the morning.
It actually happened in 1950 so well past the war time.
I am intrigued now + need to find out more.
Thanks again ......and thanks Karen for the thread, sorry to barge in. Nite Nite
xxx