Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know how I could get a transcript of an Inquest into my grandfather's death......if so,, where from please? Lin XX

Inquest papers are often routinely destroyed, BUT you can usually get a report of the inquest from the local newspaper. If you e-mail the relevant library service and give the date of the inquest, they will probably be able to send you a photocopy for a small fee. nell

Thanks for that Nell, I'll give it a go though I don't know how far I'll get, as I don't know for certain when the inquest was held? Probably sometime in June 1944, as that is when my grandfather fell to his death. It happened in Manchester, so would I need to contact the main Library there? Lin XX

The library would certainly know where the newspaper back copies are. If you get the death cert it will have the exact date of the inquest on it, if there was one. nell

Contact the coroners officer at the relevant police HQ and they will tell you where the records are kept for 1944. Probably in the local records office. They will NOT have been destroyed. Ian

But if you have his death cert it would surely tell you when the inquest was held. My GGF committed suicide in 1912. His death cert shows the inquest date and the directive with the name of the coroner and the area. Unfortunately the actual inquest papers no longer exist but a very kind member on here looked up the local newspaper for any report and found it for me, for which I am most grateful. You really need that death cert.

When I tried to get a copy of an inquest report for a relative, I was told they are closed for 75 years - so I've got to wait another couple of years yet!

Well, I am getting some conflicting advice here, but all of it valid in it's own right. There are options I would never have thought of myself and I'm very greatful to you all. I suppose a lot of it has to do with what information each organization wishes to dispense of or otherwise?? I know grandfather died some time in 1944, as Gran and my mum went along to the inquest.....and this occurred before mum married in the June of '44 I will send for his death cert....didn't do it before, as I didn't know it would contain this information!!! Thankyou all again Lin XX P.S, if anybody else wishes to contribute....please feel free, it's extremely useful to have all this info, and very educational.

You have such a tight time frame - first 5 months of 1944? then a trawl of the local papers would be worthwhile. Surely an accident like that would be reported. But it would be worth getting the cert for more info.

I think........LOL Inquest reports are closed for 75 years but in the past were routinely destroyed after either 20 or 25 years (I forget). Very many inquest reports were copied more or less verbatim into local or even national newspapers, depending on the ''newsworthyness'' of the story. Is this about the windowcleaner?? Apologies if I have the wrong man..... Merry

Hi Merry, Yes my grandfather was a window cleaner. He fell off an office window ledge in the center of Manchester. He was just 60 years old. There was definately an inquest because mum and grandma attented together, although she never told me any more details.....I expect she and gran were still in shock at the time. Then very shortly afterwards, mum was married......she must have felt it badly as she was more than likely expecting her dad to give her away. In the event, her younger brother stood in wearing his Army uniform. He was only just eighteen. You can tell from mum and dad's wedding photo, everyone was reserved and rather solemn looking, and I wasn't born until three years later, so I never knew grandpa, which mum always regretted because she always said I took after him. Artistic with red hair etc.......Now all I have is one photo of him. Lin XX