Genealogy Chat

hi all. i wounder if anyone can help me. One off my rellies was a railway gaurd,sadly he died age 30. the info i have seems to point to his death as been a accident doing his job,i.m not sure how to find if it was or not. any help would be great. many thanks sam!

What year are we talking about?

hi there, he died march 1886.

A death cert will give cause of death but probably not make any mention of an accident.Have you tried to see if there is an article in the newspapers from the time. The library or records office in the town of the event may have something you could look at or request a copy of. Glen

Yes i thought off that anthony the only problem is this took place in darlington and i live in portsmouth.so if i cant get it on line i.ve no chance. thanks anyway.

glen sorry so sorry was thinking off a rellie called anthony when typing. sorry

Hi Sam Anthony is better than most names put forward for me so no worries!! Could you try to contact the Darlington Library or Records Office,initially with a general enquiry,they could then tell you if they are likely to have such a record and any charge they may make. The library will be cheaper (probably) and they will often photocopy the newspaper or fiche copy and post it to you. I would be tempted to send an e-mail to the library in the first instance,(google for the local council and youshould find the link through the council home page). Glen

thank you glen, will give that ago. sam!

Railway accidents are extremely well documented. I wonder if the National Railway museum (York) could point you in the right direction? Its worth a try. Anne

thanks anne

If it was an accident, then surely there would have been an inquest? If there was an inquest there will be mention of this on the death cert. Merry

You could also try this site (Black Sheep Index etc etc): http://www.lightage.demon(.)co.uk/RAILWAY.htm (remove brackets) Includes newspaper and department of trade reports and such like, about railway people. (I have one about my ancestor who was a train driver. He was involved (but def not responsible for!) a railway accident in which people were hurt. There was an internal enquiry into signal practices in which his words were reported.) Merry

Try The National Archives, there may be a board of trade report, I found one for a similar accident in 1891. You can also Google for the Black Sheep Index, they have a Railway Index and I found a newspaper report of mine through that. Jennifer

thank you all very much . i have found a major railway report with my rellies name on it.but can any one tell me if i send off for the report what sort of info is on there and is it worth getting.

Sam, You do not say where you found the report, if it was through The Black Sheep Index, it will be a newspaper account. If it is in The National Archives, it should give an account of the event and the findings of the Board of Trade Enquiry. Jennifer