Thread: Coroner's Reports

Does anyone know if it's possible to obtain copies of Coroner's Reports from 1920?





I've discovered a relative was found drowned in a pond in 1920, and the Coroner recorded an Open Verdict on cause of death.



There don't seem to be any newspaper archives that might contain the death as a news item or obituary, and no relatives who were alive when it happened are still with us.

Hi Emmyo,



This might give you an idea where to start.



http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/law/rese...s/records.html

Hi Starlight,



Thank you very much for your reply. It turned out to be just what I needed.



Just in case it helps anyone else looking for Coroners' Reports -



I followed the web link you gave, then I phoned the National Archives in Kew, who were very helpful.



I was directed to the FFHS website (Federation of Family History Societies) and told to look for a book called 'Coroners' Records', which is one of a series known as 'Gibson Guides', giving details, county by county, of where coroners' records are currently held, if they still exist.



As the county boundary has changed for the place I'm interested in, I ordered a copy of the book and hope it will show me which office to contact to find out more about my deceased relative.

Dont know if it will help also, but i was able to read all of my ancestor Coroners report in the local paper of were they lived, as the records office told me they had been destroyed.

Hi Chris,



Thank you for your suggestion re. local newspapers.



Unfortunately, I live hundreds of miles from where the death occurred in 1920, and I had no knowledge of the names of any local papers. so when I sent for the 'Gibson Guide' booklet on Coroners' Records, I also requested one called 'Local Newspapers 1750-1920', which covers England, Wales , Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.



The books arrived this morning, and although it seems that the 1920 Coroner's Report I'm seeking is no longer available, I now know where to contact to ask about it. The newspapers book gives a list of several papers I can try, so now I know where to contact for those too.



Should keep me busy for a while!

Good luck Emmyo do let us know if you manage to be lucky , fingers crossed m8

Hi EmmyO



If you go to the British Library, Newspaper Library website, you can search for papers in circulation in a given location. It's a bit of a fiddle to start with, but It's great, I use it all the time.



http://catalogue.bl.uk/F/?func=file&...=login-bl-list



Steve

Hi Steve,



Thank you for the tip. I have already searched the British Library website and not found what I wanted.



A local contact has now found for me the relevant local newspaper article and is currently trying to track down the Monmouthshire Coroner's Report and Inquest papers, although the FFHS 'Gibson Guide' indicates that these are no longer available for the year in question.



Thanks again.