Author Topic: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?  (Read 6672 times)

Offline Anneatki

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An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« on: Saturday 16 August 14 11:32 BST (UK) »
I've just found the 1855 death for 3 x gt grandfather, Matthew Blair, Middle Parish, Greenock - Found Drowned in Hills Mill Dam. I'm wondering if there would have been an Inquest, & if so, how do I find details? cheers, Anne  :)
Aberdeenshire & The Borders, Morison/Morrison, Mitchell, Robertson, Ritchie, Youngson,Tait, Law, Pringle, Trotter

Offline Skoosh

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 16 August 14 11:59 BST (UK) »
Try the National Archives,

http://www.nas.gov.uk/onlineCatalogue

Also, the online archive of the Greenock Telegraph at the Watt Library,

Bests,

Skoosh.

Online RJ_Paton

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #2 on: Saturday 16 August 14 12:24 BST (UK) »
There are no Inquests in Scotland - the nearest equivalent is the Fatal Accident Inquiry system but in general terms these are relatively rare.

If you have obtained the Death Record from Scotlands People it is likely that there would also have been an RCE entry which may or may not provide further details.

In Scotland the Procurator Fiscal for the area has the responsibility of carrying out enquiries into sudden or unexpected deaths or deaths which occur in Public Places (there are several other categories). Unlike the English system there is no Coroners hearing

Offline Anneatki

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #3 on: Saturday 16 August 14 13:09 BST (UK) »
Skoosh, thankyou, I will follow up both those links!
Falkryn, thanks also for that interesting info - I can't see an RCE in the margin, though there is a large cross, in the entry, (in the "sex" column) - don't know if that means anything, I will ask Scotlandspeople.
So far, by Googling, I have found an 1891 History of Greenock which says the Dam belonged to Mr Matthew Hill's Meal Mill, cheers, Anne
Aberdeenshire & The Borders, Morison/Morrison, Mitchell, Robertson, Ritchie, Youngson,Tait, Law, Pringle, Trotter


Online RJ_Paton

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #4 on: Saturday 16 August 14 15:13 BST (UK) »

Offline Anneatki

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 20 August 14 01:19 BST (UK) »
Just an update - the lady at Scotlandspeople was very helpful, but there definitely isn't an RCE.  She couldn't find the reason for the large cross, but found others in the book, as well as some circles!
She tried to find a connection between them, but couldn't.
I haven't found anything in the Watt Index, but will keep looking - I think I could spend a lot of time at the library if ever I can get back to Scotland!
Also took out the monthly offer on FindMyPast to check out the newspapers, but nothing comes up.
Matthew's wife died sometime between 1846 & 51, his youngest son died age 2 in 1848 (good info on the 1855 DC!), then Matthew died '55, leaving two kids, 13 & 12.
His sister in law Elisabeth Raeside is with them on the 1851 census, listed as Head Servant, which has been crossed out, & 'wife' written in another hand, so more questions to find answers for!
Thanks for your help so far, cheers, Anne  :)  ???
Aberdeenshire & The Borders, Morison/Morrison, Mitchell, Robertson, Ritchie, Youngson,Tait, Law, Pringle, Trotter

Offline MonicaL

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #6 on: Wednesday 20 August 14 10:04 BST (UK) »
Anne, maybe a search in more local papers would help. Not sure if these are included in the Newspaper Archives on FindMyPast.

Monica  :)
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Offline Anneatki

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 20 August 14 12:16 BST (UK) »
Hi Monica,
Yes, I think you're right - I also find the FindMyPast newspaper search difficult, though maybe it's my inexperience. Not sure what the best paper is to try, or what's online. So much to learn!
cheers, Anne
Aberdeenshire & The Borders, Morison/Morrison, Mitchell, Robertson, Ritchie, Youngson,Tait, Law, Pringle, Trotter

Offline Poppy62

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Re: An Inquest for Matthew Blair?
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 24 August 14 10:04 BST (UK) »