Jersey Drowning 1936

[Byzantine]

Can anyone help!! I am trying to find out about my uncles first wife who drowned while in Jersey in 1936, he was arrested as it was classed a "suspicious death" as she was supposed to be an olympic swimmer ? I dont know her first name but her married name was WALKER and my uncle was Henry. The jersey post say that old articles would be kept at the Library in nelkin square but i have no way of getting there just yet - can you help ?

[Hill]

Hi

Leave it with me until next week and I'll see what I can find. Unforunately the JEP's aren't indexed!!

I take it you don't know her first name?

Stewart

[Hill]

Hi

Not progressing too well at the moment.

I checked the deaths in St Helier between May 1935 and May 1937 and found that there was only 1 Walker death in that period. This was for a Rose Rotherham, wife of Edward Patrick Walker who died 6th Dec 1936 from hyperemesis gravidarum (acute morning sickness).

Obviously not your relative. So I need now to search all the other Parishs.

Stewart

[Byzantine]

Hi Stewart
Thanks so much for your help - only wish i could give more details !!
Regards
 Jenny

[Hill]

Hi Jenny

I have now examined the Parish records and found 6 female Walker deaths. Unfortunately the period these occur is wider than just 1936 e.g. 1925 to 1973, so the next thing is to visit the Registry Office and look at the certificates.

Once I find a death by drowning I can look for the newspaper, otherwise, it's just a needle in a haystack, not made easier by having to look at the newspapers via microfilm.

Bear with me.

Stewart

[Hill]

Most inconvenient!! Went to Registry office and there was a queue of weddings!!

Will have to go next week - they are only open for research in the morning.

Stewart

[Byzantine]

Sorry for making this so difficult, but do appreciate all you are doing - have a good weekend
Regards Jenny

[Hill]

Hi Jenny

Well that will teach me!! I turn up at the Registry Office and get asked to be a witness!!

I've now looked at the remaining Parish deaths of the 6 ladies whose surname was Walker. I'm afraid they were all at least 75 years old and none died from drowning. So the conclusion is she didn't die in 1936.

I think you'll have to try and find your Uncle's marriage to establish his wifes name. Then I can find her death and from that the date will narrow the search for a newspaper article.

Stewart

[Byzantine]

Hi Stewart
I will have to wait till next week to speak to a cousin who is on holiday at the moment, another cousin is holding documents for my uncle (her father) as she nursed him until he died, this was when he revealed he had been maried before, until then it was a family secret.
Thanks for all your help so far but will be in touch when i get more details. Have a good weekend
Regards Jenny