Inquest Inner West London

[jrc11]

Hello, I have a death certificate which may be for a long missing relative. The death was on August 13 1966. The informant was the Coroner for Inner West London and the inquest took place on 8 September 1966. The certificate was issued in Merton as the death took place in Wimbledon. I would like sight of the record to establish one way or another if this is my missing relative. I would appreciate any guidance on how next to proceed.
Thank you.

[Valda]

Hi

The London Metropolitan Archives have an information leaflet on Coroners' records

http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/visiting-the-city/archives-and-city-history/london-metropolitan-archives/visitor-information/Pages/Information%20leaflets.aspx

It is worth emailing them and asking for further advice. They hold 10% of the Coroners' records 1965-1968 but the information doesn't say whether the other 90% survive and if so whether you should contact the individual coroner's office. The LMA will know the address.

Alternatively you could try the London borough of Merton archives and request a look up in a local newspaper as you have the actual date of the inquest. Not all inquests were covered by the press in London as there were just too many so depending on the cause of death the inquest may or may to get a mention.

http://www.merton.gov.uk/leisure/history-heritage/localstudies/archiveenquiries.htm

It might also be worth checking whether the person left a will.


Regards

Valda

[jrc11]

Thank you for the information and links. I will follow them up. The will I fear is a non starter as he would almost certainly have nothing to leave but I will consider it if all else fails.
Thank you

[jrc11]

I have now established that the LMA does not have a copy of the inquest. A visit to the British Newspaper library turned up nothing. Any further suggestions will be welcome.
Thank you

[dawnsh]

Have you considered looking at electoral registers to see who he might have been living with in the years leading up to his death?

Ancestry only have 1965 available online so it will require a look-up either at Merton Archives or the British Library.

Dawn