Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know if it is possible to get a coroners report for West ham in 1905? I have been in touch with the archives and local studies centre in Stratford library.
They were helpful and sent me a copy of a newspaper report into the death of my ancestor. They said that was all I would find as in 1905 the report would just be in the paper.
I have googled coroners reports etc and have noticed that other people have obtained coroners reports from other librarys etc.
What do I do now? Should I look elsewhere?
The newpaper report is very vague and I cannot believe that is all there is. Her death was suspicious so would like to find out more.
Elaine

Fraid they are probably right. I couldnt get one for my great grandads suicide in 1912, Old Kent Road - apparently most are destroyed after a while and only a brief synopsis kept on record. I was very pleased with my newspaper article of the inquest which in my case gave lots of info.

Thanks for the reply. I will not go into the details but the newpaper just said that the husband came home found his wife upstairs. The policeman said that a knife was found in the room. I thought well is that it.
A postscript to this was that the husband went missing for 10 years until his death.
The trouble is I am like a dog with a bone ! I feel I owe it to my GG Grandmother to find out what really happened.
Elaine

I agree with Heather the Archives will be aware of which Coroner Reports survive if any.

You could see if there are any other newspaper articles, if it was a suspicious death it may have been reported in several local newspapers. (unless of course they said it was the only article)

Gail.

They said that coroners reports were not written not like they are today not that they had been destroyed.
Other people seem to have found coroners reports for the early 1900's. I don't know what to believe.
Elaine

Hi Elaine,

I couldn't get the coroners report for my grandad although his death in 1964 was suspicious. I was told they only keep the coroners report for 25yrs and then they are destroyed. I did manage to get the local newspaper report of the inquest.

If you haven't done so already, I'd try a search for any other local newspaper to see if they had the report in them, which might prove a little more useful. Good Luck, Lou

Thanks for all your answers.

Elaine

Have you tried National Archives just to see if there is any mention? Enter a search with the names on the home page.

I tried to get hold of a coroners report for Leicester from the records office. They do hold quite alot but unfortunately the one i was looking for had been destroyed. They have a 75 year closure on them

Elaine,

I had an aunt who was killed by a lorry in 1936, on her death cert it gave the verdict of the coroner, also where, when, how and actual cause of the death.

kathlyn

I was after two coroners reports .one for West Ham 1907 and one for SE London 1919 . was told at LMA that none held before 1930 and after that only about 10% are kept.

Shirley

Thanks everyone for your replys.

Elaine