Possible inquest report

[Treefan]

Hello,

I am currently looking into the death of Elizabeth Elwell who died in Upper Gornal, Sedgley, Staffs on 5th Novemebr 1854. Her death certificate shows that she was a 70 year old widow who died from a burning accident. The informant was William H Phillips who was the deputy coroner of Wolverhampton & he registered the death on 27th December 1854 which was quite a while after her death had taken place.
Does this possibly mean that there was inquest into the death & if so how do I go about seeking out information to learn more?
If anyone can point me in the right direction I would be most grateful.
Thank you.

[Jebber]

If there was an inquest it is usually stated on the death certificate. You could look in the  newspapers to see if the death was reported, it sounds as if the death may have warranted a newspaper report.

[Treefan]

Hi, many thanks for your reply.
I just assumed that as the coroner was involved & with there being such a long delay between death & death registration that there must have been an inquest.
Are there perhaps other known reasons for the coroner's office to get involved that I don't about maybe?
It's a good idea about newspaper reports. I shall have to look into how to go about that.
Thanks again.

[Yorks-girl]

Hi Treefan

Have a look on the Staffordshire Name Index - https://www.staffsnameindexes.org.uk/
Select "Quarter Sessions Coroners Index, 1850-1861" and key in her surname and you will find her.

This what is given:-
Document Ref: Q/APr/7/1855/A/2
Session:Epiphany 1855
Police district:Mining District West
Case number:10
Surname:Elwell
Forenames:Elizabeth
Age (if known):77 years
Year of death:1854
Date of death:5 Nov 1854
Parish:Sedgley
Place:eg. hamlet, street, colliery
Upper Gornal

You can order a digital image of the documents for £5, which I did for one of my lot and found out quite a bit of info on how he died.

Lynn

[Treefan]

Hi Treefan

Have a look on the Staffordshire Name Index - https://www.staffsnameindexes.org.uk/
Select "Quarter Sessions Coroners Index, 1850-1861" and key in her surname and you will find her.

This what is given:-
Document Ref: Q/APr/7/1855/A/2
Session:Epiphany 1855
Police district:Mining District West
Case number:10
Surname:Elwell
Forenames:Elizabeth
Age (if known):77 years
Year of death:1854
Date of death:5 Nov 1854
Parish:Sedgley
Place:eg. hamlet, street, colliery
Upper Gornal

You can order a digital image of the documents for £5, which I did for one of my lot and found out quite a bit of info on how he died.

Lynn

Lyn, what a fantastic find! I shall never be able to thank you enough.
I have just applied for a copy of the record.
Thank you once again.

[Jool]

Great find Lynn!

Treefan, I was watching this thread with interest as my GG Grandmother also died of burns in 1913 in Dudley (just up the road from Upper Gornal).  Her death certificate stated that she died from "shock and exhaustion following burns accidentally caused"  The informant was the coroner and the date of the inquest was noted on the death certificate.  I have not been able to find a report of the inquest and I have not found anything in the newspapers.  Family story has it that her nightdress caught fire from a candle

I am pleased that you have now found the information you are looking for, thanks to Lynn 

[Treefan]

Great find Lynn!

Treefan, I was watching this thread with interest as my GG Grandmother also died of burns in 1913 in Dudley (just up the road from Upper Gornal).  Her death certificate stated that she died from "shock and exhaustion following burns accidentally caused"  The informant was the coroner and the date of the inquest was noted on the death certificate.  I have not been able to find a report of the inquest and I have not found anything in the newspapers.  Family story has it that her nightdress caught fire from a candle.
I am pleased that you have now found the information you are looking for, thanks to Lynn 

As it was the Wolverhampton deputy coroner who registered the death I contacted Wolverhampton Archives to make enquiries asking if there might be an index of the early Wolverhampton inquests but their reply informed me that no such index exists so Lyn's find is just incredible. How wonderful that the volunteers from Staffordshire Archives have built up their own indexes which must be so helpful to researchers.
This forum really is incredible & the kind help & advice that folk offer up is wonderful. Lyn's find has certainly helped me out tremendously & will no doubt help many others too now that it's highlighted the indexes.
Good luck with your own research.

[Yorks-girl]

Thanks for the kind comments, I'm pleased it helped!

I came across the Index a few years ago, and have used it a couple of times now.

It's always worth checking back on it too, because it is being updated and added to.

Lynn

[Treefan]

Thanks for the kind comments, I'm pleased it helped!

I came across the Index a few years ago, and have used it a couple of times now.

It's always worth checking back on it too, because it is being updated and added to.

Lynn

A big thank you from everyone!