Genealogy Chat

I've received a death cert today for a relative who died in a mining accident in 1962.
Under "signature, description & resident of informant" it states inquest held 21st June 1962 and 29th June 1962. Apart from local press archives is there any other way I can view the inquest reports?

Hi,
You could try the local record office or archives to see if any legal papers were deposited there that are viewable..

hi
how long is the closure rule as i was going to see if my grandfathers was at the archives when i next go he died in 1942
sharon

There is a 75 year closure period on the viewing of inquest records.

However if the record has survived and is less than 75 years old, it is down to the present day coroner to allow permission for it to be viewed. This is only likely to be granted if the record is not too far below the 75 years closure.

Record Offices or Archives may hold Inquest registers but that will give little more than what will appear in newspapers,,date etc,
You need a good cause and be a close relative to have access to any if survival Coroners Inquest papers,as said 75 year closure.

I agree with Joan, the local newspapers are a good source.

I was able to read the account of my ancestors inquest in the local paper through Lancashire libraries on line . My ancestor was run over by a cab. It gave witness accounts and even the fact she refused to go to hospital until forced to by a police officer. Apparently she drank a brandy 'very heartily' just before being taken to the hospital.

Chris

thankyou sharon

Thanks to you all - John would have been my great uncle. I think my first step has to be looking at local press records - will do that in next few days & see where it gets me. Seems that only deaths involving five or more are recorded on the mining website and he not there as less than 5 involved.
Seems very tragic that cause of death is recorded as "deceased died from asphyxia from compression of the chest accidentally sustained as the result of being crushed by a fall of stone".
How awful that sounds.....

I would certainly recommend Newspapers they have been an invaluable source for me.. An account of an inquest provided me with evidence that I thought would never find, as to the identity of my illegitimate great grandfather's, Father. As he had been called to identify the body and when asked his relationship to the deceased stated that the person in question was his father.