Records of Kift family tragedy in Gower?

[Bellou]

There has been a family story that baby twins were killed in a fire at a house in Cliff Close, Oystermouth, Gower. I have found the burials of Emma Clara Kift and Mary Maria Kift , who were both baptised on 6th December 1866 and buried in 1868. They were the daughters on John and Caroline Kift.

Would there be any coroners reports or newspaper reports which would confirm how these children died ? I checked the Cambrian Newspaper Archives online and could not find a mention.

Also , is anyone else researching this family ?

Thanks

Bellou

[Isobelruss]

Emma Clare was buried 14 April 1868 abode Cliff Close
Mary Ann 6 Apr 1868 abode Cliff Close both aged 2

[bevbee]

Unlikely to be in the local papers if you can't find them on the Cambrian index, but it seems strange that it wouldn't have been reported. 

[nanny jan]

Hi,

The death certificates will show the cause of death and confirm, or not, the family story.


Nanny Jan

[bernard_lewis]

Assuming this was a Swansea coroner case the record would appear to be in this bundle:

http://www3.swansea.gov.uk/CalmView/Record.aspx?src=CalmView.Catalog&id=DD+SB+31%2f1%2f52&pos=58

I'm probably going in to the Archive on Thursday or Friday and could look if you like?

Let me know.

Bernard

[Bellou]

That would be fantastic if you could look it up! Thanks .

I have ordered the death certificate for Emma Clara Kift today so will see what it says .

Thanks again

Bellou

[Cell]

Hi

These are the records that survive for Reports of the Coroner  Gower and Kilvey ) 1862 to1900,.
http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=29592

Kift:

The parents  - these names below both have  surviving coroner's reports, years apart , so goodness what happened to these people if they are yours]:

D/D SB 31/267/10> Caroline Kift 15 Nov 1884
D/D SB 31/121/1> John Kift 2 Sep 1872

There seems to be nothing under 1866   AND 68 for the girls , for instance , similar names or a female child that has no name.

Kift  really is a very unique name in the area , I'd say those above there's a  very likely chance they are  yours.

Hope that helps
Kind regards

[bernard_lewis]

I popped in yesterday and - I now realise - looked at the wrong date. My fault, sorry. Following Cell's very helpful post it looks as if there were not any inquests on the children in any event?

I could look up the parents, if you like. My next visit might be Friday but could be the week after that.

Let me know, please.

Bernard

[Bellou]

Thank you Cell and Bernard .

It is very strange if there were no inquests if the twin girls were killed in a fire. The death cert I have ordered should at least confirm how Emma Clara died. There are certainly birth , baptism and burial records which seem to confirm the story that they were twins and died at similar times. I suppose it could be of an illness, but am not sure why then the family story would be of a fire.

If you could look up the parents records , Bernard, that would be great. As there were inquests you do wonder what happened. It does seem that these could be the right John and Caroline Kift or must be members of the family.

Thanks agin

bellou