Genealogy Chat

Does anybody know where the Surrey advertiser might be archived. Have tried the British Library - they do have it but are missing the year I need
I have also contacted the Surrey History Centre, they also have an archive but are missing the same year.

I need the paper from October 1868 to find details of a death and the subsequent inquest of Michael Buckland. His death certificate states he died from mortal scalds from falling in a quantity of hot water and malt. It then says '19 hours' - on another note - anyone know what that means?

Any help would be very much appreciated - I am well and truly stuck with this one!

Since neither of the reputable places that you have searched appear to have the 1868 editions it would seem to be a reasonable bet that unfortunately they no longer exist.

Maybe your best option now is to see whether the incident/inquest was reported in any other newspapers or journals. I have found that if an incident was unusual reports of it often appeared several places.

Below are instructions how to gain free access to lots of 19th century newspapers via Lancashire Libraries. It might be worth your while giving it a go, you never know your luck.


FREE ACCESS TO OLD NEWSPAPERS

It is rare to get something worthwhile for nothing. Lancashire County Library and Information Service offers its members just that however and you do NOT have to live or work in Lancashire to benefit from their generosity. All that you need is a home computer with internet access.

The site which anyone, anywhere can join for free has something for everyone and should be particularly useful to anyone interested in family history. It offers free online access to the 19th Century British Library newspaper collection which has digitised copies of old local newspapers (National coverage), ideal for looking up reports of criminal proceedings, inquests ect. It also has free access to The Times Digital Archive (From 1785~1985). Both of these give access to news and events of the day via a simple search procedure. Just reading the old newspapers can give you an insight into peoples attitudes and priorities at the time.

In addition there are countless links to other sites of just about every type and subject.

To join all that you need to do is visit their site:

http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/libraries/borrower/join.asp

Fill in your details and you will be given a temporary log in number. Within a few days you will receive your membership card through the post which will give you access to their resources from your home computer. Just to reiterate membership is open to everyone no matter where you live and it is FREE.

Now that’s a bargain in my book.

Good idea thank you. I have a card for lancashire libraries but alas it is at home and I am at work so it'll have to wait until later!

Have you tried Croydon library, local studies?
Contact name
Local Studies Library
Telephone
020 8726 6900
Fax
020 8253 1012
Email
[email protected]
Address
Level 3
Central Library
Croydon Clocktower
Katharine Street
Croydon CR9 1ET

Just a further agreement with Jonesey. It is a brilliant site. I have found out so much recently.
My gt gt grandmother got her cellar flooded in 1851 and was called as a witness for the prosecution for someone blocking up sewers in Blackburn. My gt grandmother's first husband was incorrectly reported as assaulting a bootmaker in 1871 when in fact the paper transposed the victim and the assailant's name. He was the victim and his assailant was fined 10shilling, so the papers got the wrong end of the stick back in those days. Its not all about the rich and famous. A man got 3 months hard labour for stealing a handkerchief and 2 scarves off another relative, perhaps its time to go back to the good old days?- I would suggest to anyone who feels they don't know where to look for information after census, freebmd, familysearch etc .... take a peek - JLe

TRY
THE SURREY HISTORY CENTRE
130 Goldsworth Road
Woking GU21 6ND
01483 518 737

Have you tried the offices of the paper itself-they are in Redhill-now called the Surrey Mirror -part of the Croydon Advertiser Group I think

Google 'em !!

Hi Katherine- regarding the 19 hours, I would think that will be the time between the accident and the death. Not a pleasant way to go.-JLe

Thankyou all for your help.
Janice - contacted Croydon local studies today, they dont have it.
DIZZI - I have also contacted the Surrey history centre, they have it but not the year i need!
Elizabeth and PigletsPal - also contacted the Surrey Advertiser directly today - they dont have copies that far back apparently
Janet - thats what I thought re:19 hours. sounds horrendous doesn't it?!

Does Colindale only keep National newspapers or ALL newspapers ?

I'm not sure - I think it's regional ones aswell. they're usually very helpful (I spent A LOT of time there when researching my dissertation recently!) email them: [email protected]