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Inquests and coroner's reports 1880s London

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Katharina

Katharina Report 22 Apr 2008 13:42

Hi all, hoping someone might be able to help me.

My ggg grandfather, John James Chase (a bricklayer, b 1828 Shoreditch, London) died in 1880 at age 52. His death cert says:

Cause of death: violent fracture of skull accidental
Place of death: German Hospital Dalston
Inquest held 1 May 1880

I would love to get a copy of the report the coroner issued as a result of the inquest, but have no idea where I'd find this. London Metropolitan Archives perhaps?? I work just up the road from the LMA, just by chance, but was wondering a) if anyone has been there and found it useful, and b) if anyone knows where I would access coroner's reports for London in 1880.

Gratefully appreciate any info or tips you might have.

Thanks,
Katharina

~~Trassle

~~Trassle Report 22 Apr 2008 13:47

You could try the local newspaper..I had a similar inquest in 1898 which was reported word for word in the local paper which the local history studies group supplied to me
regards

Trassle

Katharina

Katharina Report 22 Apr 2008 13:54

Thanks Trassle, I'll give it a go, that's a good idea - just have to work out which paper would have been relevant in central London at that time... ;-)

Heather

Heather Report 22 Apr 2008 14:18

Thing was Kat, not many inquests have survived. I was told they were destroyed and if there is anything surviving its just a summary, so dont be disappointed.

As Trassle said, I got my info from the newspaper report of the Inquest. Email Tower Hamlets archives, they are very helpful

Katharina

Katharina Report 22 Apr 2008 14:25

Yes, I've heard that too, so was trying not to be too hopeful!

I will do what you've suggested, thanks, most helpful - can only give it a go and see what happens...

Thanks

Amy

Amy Report 22 Apr 2008 15:12

Hi,

I found that all of the inquests for Westminster and some other areas are held by the Muniments Room at Westminster Abbey and have since requested two which they have kindly photocopied and sent to me for a small fee (£3). They were about 10 pages long and very comprehensive - not just a summary - but quite hard to read!

They have info on the areas they cover on their website. My death certs had the name of the coroner and inquest date which is very helpful, try searching using those.

Don't give up!

Amy x

Katharina

Katharina Report 22 Apr 2008 15:22

Thanks Amy, I'm just having a look at the Westminster stuff now - all very interesting! I'm pretty sure the inquest wasn't at Westminster, but I need to look at the cert again to be sure - yes, it has the coroner's name and inquest date listed, so will use those.

Good to know that some reports to exist!! Thanks for the info!
K ;-)