HELP - Old Lady found dead at home 1980's MORPETH

[c-side]

Good idea, Charlotte.  I'm told that Morpeth have an excellent local/family history section.

Christine

[Billawake]

We asked the Morpeth Herald in person in their offices, and Newcastle Chronicle.  She was not 'killed' by her 'cat' but died and then was partially eaten because she lay undiscovered.  We did email the library and their response was that they did not undertake this kind of research.  Hence, emailing here.

 

[Michael Dixon]

 The Morpeth Herald (weekly) editions are on film in Morpeth Library.

 Did you reveal the name of the unfortunate lady to the library.

 You said this event was the "talk of the town" in the 1980s ( which is 1980-1989). Do you have any more specific idea of the year. Might her death registration indicate year of the event ?

Michael

[Billawake]

Hi Michael, no we did not reveal anything just asked simple generic questions.  Thank you for the information.  We cannot get up to Morpeth very often so this is the reason we have used this medium.

[Michael Dixon]

 I am about to browse through the Morpeth Herald film in Morpeth Library
(sports events in the 1950s). I you can somehow reduce the 10 year window ( "the 1980s") I might have a look for you !

Michael

[Billawake]

Many thanks Michael,  We think between 80 and 85.  If not our other research is out ! 

Bill

[Billawake]

 I am about to browse through the Morpeth Herald film in Morpeth Library
(sports events in the 1950s). I you can somehow reduce the 10 year window ( "the 1980s") I might have a look for you !

Michael

|Did you have any success Michael ?

[Michael Dixon]

 I haven't visited Morpeth for a few weeks ( I live in Newcastle) but I shall give it a go soon.

Michael

[Michael Dixon]

 Today I visited the Morpeth Herald offices in Newgate St, Morpeth, the library and "interviewed" four local folk ( two groups of two,  in their c.sixties- who freely responded-today I was shaved, jacketed and wearing shoes so they did not think I was after a pound for a cup of tea ! )

 In the newspaper office I asked the receptionist, who rang two reporters. In the library I asked two librarians, who asked two other colleagues.

None of the above had heard of the event !

Anyway I looked through the film of the Herald editions for the year of 1980
( It's a start anyway ! ). Saw lots of news about deaths (usually house fires)
and news about cats and catteries, but the two together !

In the edition of 9 May 1980, there was an event involving a Miss May Stafford at 55A Newgate St, Morpeth, where her brother missed her and police broke into her home to find her dead. Paper said she was originally from Newcastle. But no mention of a cat or sight of a later inquest !

BMD records have her as Isabella May Stafford, born 31 Jan 1901


Michael