Coroner's Inquest

[denben]

I tried to get details of an inquest that was held following the death of my uncle.  I wrote to the records office in the city where the death and inquest took place - in 1935.

They have informed me that these records "are closed to the public for 75 years after the date of the inquest".  They have advised me that "access to the inquests are dealt with by the coroner's office" and they advised me to contact the coroner's office.

Will this information be available to me?  Will I have to prove the relationship?

I would like to know the regulations before I write.

I know that a report might be in the local newspapers, and I will check these soon,  but I am curious to see the actual findings.

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi denben

You can get all the details of the inquest from the local paper.

It would have reported it in full within a couple of days of it taking place - if there was an local evening paper, then that would also have carried a report the same or next day.

Uou have the date and place - I would go for the newspaper report first - if that does not satisfy your enquiring mind; then go for the actual Coroners records.

Chris in 1066Land

[Chris in 1066Land]

Coroners Records

Those records may not last the full 75 years – A schedule of destruction is laid down in Home Office Circular 250/1967.  While they are within the definition of public records, for whose preservation the Lord Chancellor is responsible, and all are open to the public after 75 years, but many will not survive those 75 years.

Once 15 years old, the records can be ‘weeded’, destroyed or sampled, for example – by the individual coroner concerned.
Certain classes of record are scheduled for permanent preservation – the indexed registers of deaths reported, all papers dated before 1875, papers relating to treasure trove, cases illustrating in any significant way contemporary coroners practice, and cases relating to general public, scientific, forensic, social, local, industrial or unique historical interest.

NB – In general, you are more likely to find a newspaper report than a coroners record during the hundred years prior to the second world war – Jeremy Gibson, Coroners Records in England and wales.

Chris in 1066Land

[denben]

Thanks, Chris.  This uncle lived in Newport and died in Birmingham.  I'll check the newspaper local to Newport in the next couple of days but Birmingham could be a bit tricky - there's probably more than one 'local' paper.

Never mind, if all this was easy then it wouldn't be so much fun!

[denben]

I found everything I needed in my local paper archives.  A report of the death - front page, too.

A few days after a full report regarding the inquest.

Could anyone explain exactly what "death by misadventure" covers?

[Chris in 1066Land]

Hi Denben

Misadventure:
1. accident without crime or negligence.
2. case of bad luck or misfortune.
3. accident, calamity, disaster, ill fortune, mischance, misfortune, mishap.

Basically - it means they just DO NOT KNOW cause of death.

Its like archaeologists, when they find remains, artefacts etc that they can not explain, they refer to them as connected with something 'Ritual'

Chris in 1066Land

[denben]

Thanks, Chris, I suppose that all those definitions would apply - he fell from a moving train - in a tunnel!

Sounds a bit 'Agatha Christie-ish'.  Never mind, the poor man's Poirot is on the case!  

Regards, Denben

[Kazza]

Denben,

Sounds like a bit of a success story going on here,  you are moving forward in your quest.

Chris wrote:  

Basically - it means they just DO NOT KNOW cause of death.

It is more like they do not know who,   if anyone,  was responsible for the death.

With no witnesses or forensics to prove otherwise it is possible he fell,  jumped or was pushed.  Misadventure is a catch all when it cannot be proved to be Murder,  Suicide or accident due to negligence of another individual.

Good luck to your leetle grey cells,
Kazza.