“A to Z Genealogy Tips – Fortnightly Series”

Coroner’s inquests can provide unexpected insights into deaths and family circumstances.

Inquests document causes of death, witnesses, and sometimes property or inheritance disputes. They can reveal details not listed on the death certificates as witnesses and informants often list their relationship to the deceased and often describe the persons life and events leading up to the death of the person in the report.  They can fill gaps or reveal information that was missing or incomplete and may reveal family relationships not recorded elsewhere.

Where the coroners report relating to the inquest not longer exists then look for articles in the newspaper and the details of the death and inquest may have been reported in the newspapers.

Look for inquest records for an ancestor to uncover hidden family stories.