It's amazing what you find on TROVE when bored!

[tedscout]

Hello dear RootsChatters,

Last night my hubby and ss were watching tv and I wasn't interested. So I put some words into the TROVE search engine and found this.

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72339593

I've now done as much research as I can on the internet regarding the perpetrator. Yes he is related. Yes I know who his parent's were, and yes I know he died in Ararat Lunatic Asylum in 1961 aged 63. I have deliberately kept his name out of this topic because there are people still alive who don't know about this crime. If you want more information please PM me.

But what I'd like to know is if he was unfit to plead (as found in another article) and held at Bendigo Goal at the Governor's pleasure, how do I find out what happened to him between 1913 and 1961, and where would he be buried?

Any help, comments, general discussion would be most appreciated.

Cheers, Ted.

[gazania]

I have been on a similar search for the records for a murderer who killed my grandfather's mate, although this happened in Queensland.

These are the types of records I used:

Inquest records  (often an inquest was held before charges were laid & contain statements)
Court records (Trove may give you dates)
Gaol records
Asylum records
Death certificate  ( I never really found the cert for my murderer as he went under a number of aliases)

Most of the above I found in the State Archives.  I hope this is helpful.  Gazania

[tedscout]

Thanks Gazania,

Via Trove I have found the inquest. and a very good court report including his siblings names and ages who gave evidence. Also a photo of him.

I have also found that he was transferred to Melbourne Goal in December 1913.

I am hoping to find some of his records, possibly for the time in Ararat, but everything online is before 1913. - I guess I'm hoping to find that he wasn't abandoned and forgotten about by the family.

[gazania]

I am not familiar with Ararat records, but those asylum records that I have used, I have found to be very informative including daily health reports, activities & behaviour.  Lists of permitted visitors & their addresses and even a letter from my g grandmother.  Also notification of the death to the next of kin including another inquest for sudden death in the asylum - well worth the effort of tracking down the Ararat records if they are not subject to an embargo, of course.  Then you may have to see if Freedom of Information applies.  Best of luck, Gazania

[cando]

There are restrictions on the years available.  I think it is usually 100 years for case files....but not absolutely sure about this.  This link may be helpful
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0vxe/

Cheers
Cando

[cando]

His death cert would give you his place of burial.  Wouldn't he be buried at Ararat Cemetery?
Mrs J Barry, Secretary, 127 High St, Ararat 3377  Ph:5352 1313

Cando

[cando]

According to the Inquest Index he died from a coronary occlusion and the inquest [normal procedure for deaths in public institutions] was held on 17 Feb 1961.  Ref#142. 

Cando

[cando]

The Inquest Index has his name as Davis just in case you want to order it for reading at PROV.

Cando

[tedscout]

Thank you so much Cando. His death cert is Davis too. It is a family name so I wasn't suprised to see it on the register as Davis.

The Ararat link you gave me is only upto 1905. 1905 -> is still not available and as my guy didn't die until the 1960's I was told on the phone that his file would be "unavailable".

I presume a "coronary occlusion" is a heart attack.

Poor nearly deaf and dumb kid! I am so glad we live in the times we do.

He'll be in my prayers tonight.