Genealogy Chat

Dear all,

According to family legend my great grandfather's brother Thomas FLAHERTY (born c. 3/3/1880) came over to England from Ireland and was murdered in Manchester on his way home from the pub after a card game - late 1890s early 1900s.

There are a couple of possible deaths - Dec Qtr 1899 aged 18 in Manchester and June qtr 1906 in Prescot, lancs aged 24.

Is there a newspaper archive anywhere which might have a story on the event? I guess I could just buy the death certs and see if they give any details but I am keeping a low profile at the moment due to the arrival of the credit card bill!! (hubby keeps asking what ONS stands for!!)

Any and all tips gratefully received.

Best wishes

Maria

the certs would definitely help you.

I sent email to nottighamshire archives who passed me on to the local family history society who sent me what the newspaper said on her inquest, may be woth a try

Hi you could look up on a web site called blacksheep they may have a record of the person who killed him also the collindale libary in london keeps all old news papers
Alyson xx

The main reference library in Manchester should have back copies of Manchester newspapers on microfilm that you could search (or ask if one of the librarians would do this for you). It would be best if you could find the death first so that you have a date to make searching the newspaper records easier.

Have you looked on the Black Sheep Index?

UPDATE - I've looked on the Black Sheep index and he isn't there.

Kath. x

Is there no way you could work out his age and see if either or neither fit in? (Trouble is they both work out at about same year of birth dont they!)

try murderfile.net

Dear all,

Thanks so much for all your replies - I've been away checking out all your suggestions - but no luck.

I think I'll start with the Manchester death cert and see if that's the right one.

Will it say "murder" as cause of death? If not, I'm no further forward.

Thanks again for all your interest

Maria

Miriam i think i have the same issue as you, and in manchester as well i think, i think i have found his death date not sure yet.
ann

Dear Ann

Best of luck!

I have just ordered death cert so fingers crossed!

Best wishes

Maria

Oh, do let us know the outcome wont you!

Thanks Miriam, and best of luck to you as well
ann
x

Miriam

it might have accidental death on it or that it went to inquest I think hold on will see what my gt aunts said

says accidentqlly killed

then says certificate received qfter inquesat and date it was held

d xx

just about to send for my cert now.. this is my grandfather i was told he was in his 30s when he died, and that he was murdered, i have found his name and it says he was 32yrs, fingers crossed
ann

Thanks to everyone for their help on this one.

Death cert came today - used both parents as checking points to make sure - died of aortic disease - some sort of heart disease? So the story of murder is just that - a story. The real story is sad enough - dead at 18.

Thanks again - another family myth debunked!

Best wishes to all

Maria