Genealogy Chat

I've just received a copy of a death certificate, which gives the date of the inquest. After the cause of death, it says (open verdict). Is it possible to obtain a copy of the inquest report/transcript?

Thanks. The inquest was in 1972, so hopefully it did survive... Thanks Tracey

Tracy Inquest reports are often routinely destroyed, but you should be able to find a report about the inquest in the local paper - which may possibly give useful background info too. The date of the inquest should be on the death cert, so it should be easy to find the relevant paper. Local history centres/libraries have back issues of papers on microfilm. nell

Thanks Nell.

Hi Tracey, I can have a look at the Times for the dates you have just in case They reported on the inquest of my uncle in 1972 so worth a quick look if you like.If so can you give name date etc and I will have a look Ronnie

Hi again ref Jo's answer.. my uncles inquest was held 19.1.72 and the Times reported the details on 20.1.72 so I still think its worth a look Ronnie

Thanks Ronnie. The inquest was held on 7th Jan 1972. His name was Peter Hawkins. Could you have a look for me please? Thanks Jo. Disappointing, but at least I know.

Sorry Tracey after all that, nothing there, but if you 'google' for the Local Studies group for the area the inquest took place in, they can be very helpful..they actually got someone to look for me. Good luck Ronnie I don't suppose it's Plymouth area.. I could have a look for you.

hi tracey im researching hawkins family did any of yours come from tottenham area worth asking tracy

Thanks Ronnie. No, it was Bradford.

I've contacted Telegraph & Argus, which is the local paper, in Bradford and they only keep cuttings, not a complete archive. They checked the cuttings and don't have it. Is that it? Have I hit a brick wall? Does anyone have any suggestions?

Our local reference library holds copies of old local papers on microfilm. This is Southport. I know Lincoln also has theirs. So I think your best bet would be the local library in Bradford. Might be worth asking on here if anyone who lives there is willing to look for you. You should have the date so it wouldn't take long. I am always willing to do this for anyone here. Jane

Thanks, I'll try.

I've contacted the paper and they said the local library has the same archive as them. nowhere has the complete archive. I guess i really have hit a brick wall :-(

Well the local paper was wrong, and the National Newspaper Library in London, keeps the full archive. So I took the afternoon off of work, ordered the correct volumes and went down there. I found the report, but it was 5 lines and didn't tell me anything new. Just the cause of death and the inquest recorded an open verdict, which was on his death certificate anyway :-(

Tracey How disappointing. Although my gt grandfather's inquest report in the local paper was a short para, it painted a vivid picture through the witnesses' eyes of my poor Thomas clutching at some railings before he fell back onto the milk churn in the road. His widow Emma gave evidence that she was told at about 8.00am that he had died in the street, where he had been delivering milk. It was the morning of their 14th wedding anniversary and they had two surviving children, Thomas Emmets, aged 12 and my grandmother Annie Eliza, aged 2. They had lost two other sons, one at just 5 weeks old, the other at 2 yrs 5 months. nell