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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: janeeidden on Friday 27 July 12 21:38 BST (UK)

Title: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: janeeidden on Friday 27 July 12 21:38 BST (UK)
There was a coroners inquest on 18 nov 1938 into the death of William Thomas aged 64yrs who died 16 nov. Does anyone know if these records still exist and if so where they can be viewed.
Thank you
Jane
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: bernard_lewis on Friday 27 July 12 23:38 BST (UK)
There were/are a number of coroner's for Wales, depending on where the death took place.

Generally, I think these records will be 'closed' for 100 years. The local newspaper might have an account of the inquest which would normally have taken place some time after the death.

Bernard
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: janeeidden on Saturday 28 July 12 10:38 BST (UK)
Thanks Bernard.
The coroner was Gerald Tudor and the inquest was 18 nov 1938.Do you know if they release records if you can prove kinship? I assume the paper would be the Western Mail for Cardiff. I will have to arrange a visit to there to look look at the records.
Thanks
Jane
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: nanny jan on Saturday 28 July 12 10:41 BST (UK)
Hi,

The local archives might have the file; the death certificate should read " Gerald Tudor, Coroner for xxxxxxxxx".  They can also advise the most likely newspapers to have carried reports of inquests.


Nanny Jan
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: Romilly on Saturday 28 July 12 11:25 BST (UK)

Hi Jane,

If it was a Swansea Death & Inquest, you might be out of luck.

I tried chasing up one for a family member who committed suicide in Swansea in 1930. I was told that the papers were stored at the Archives until the 1970's, - when they were water damaged and thrown out:-(

Best of Luck, Romilly.
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: bernard_lewis on Sunday 29 July 12 23:32 BST (UK)
You may well be right, Romilly. But I'd contact Philip Rogers at the Coroner's Office, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN. He is the current Swansea coroner. I understand he recently deposited a lot of 19th century inquest records at the West Glamorgan Archive Service.

That being the case I wonder if the more recent records were sent to the WGAS while the older ones stayed with the coroner (until recently). Or has he still got the newer ones?

Worth asking...? Assuming it was a Swansea and district death, of course.

Bernard
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: GrahamSimons on Monday 30 July 12 09:05 BST (UK)
Try here: http://www.glamarchives.gov.uk/ -a cursory use of the search in the catalogue yields some possible hits. You could explore the catalogue from here, or email the very helpful staff for advice.
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: Romilly on Monday 30 July 12 11:28 BST (UK)
You may well be right, Romilly. But I'd contact Philip Rogers at the Coroner's Office, Civic Centre, Oystermouth Road, Swansea, SA1 3SN. He is the current Swansea coroner. I understand he recently deposited a lot of 19th century inquest records at the West Glamorgan Archive Service.
That being the case I wonder if the more recent records were sent to the WGAS while the older ones stayed with the coroner (until recently). Or has he still got the newer ones?
Worth asking...? Assuming it was a Swansea and district death, of course.
Bernard

Hi Bernard,

Possibly they've been passed on under the '100 year' closed rule? (I guess the 1930's ones wouldn't be available until the 2030's, - if they've survived that is).

Is there an email address for the Coroner's Office btw?

Cheers, Romilly.
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: bernard_lewis on Monday 30 July 12 13:25 BST (UK)
I think it was the 100 year rule plus he was fairly new in post and keen to secure the records for the future. Why would one of his predecessors have passed 'newer' records to WGAS but kept the older ones?

Worth asking him in case you were misled. Don't know his email but a search on the Swansea city council website might turn something up.

Bernard
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: Romilly on Tuesday 31 July 12 16:13 BST (UK)
Hoping that this info will help others who are looking:

I have spoken to the Coroner's Office in Swansea. The Inquest records passed on were fairly recent ones, - they don't hold them for any length of time, but pass them on to the West Glamorgan Archives. The Archives have nothing prior to 1972. See:

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0pad/

I also spoke to the West Glamorgan Archives, who told me that there was a flood in the Coroner's Office in the 1960's, during which Coroner's Inquest Reports from 1900 - 1960's were water damaged and discarded. And so there was a flood!! (But not in the Library, as I had been previously told).

And so if you're looking for an Inquest prior to 1972...you are out of luck:-(

Romilly. :(
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: bernard_lewis on Wednesday 01 August 12 20:00 BST (UK)
Well done, Romilly. Now we know...

Bernard
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: bevbee on Tuesday 14 August 12 14:30 BST (UK)
I couldn't find a report of the inquest in the "South Wales Evening Post" either I'm afraid.  :(
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: Carrie Ann on Wednesday 15 August 12 11:42 BST (UK)
I too have spent ages trying to find a Coroners report or newspaer report on th death and funeral of Edward Nancarrow who died 17th Dec 1895 at 43 Mt Pleasant Street ,Dowlais.
He was a fireman,18 years old,crushed between two buffers at Caeharris Yard,Dowlais.
The Coroner for G lamorganshire  was George Overton(?) he inquest was held on the 10th? 20th Dec? 1895.
Il ooked at the newspapers held in the Merthyr Recrd Office and could find nothing.Surely this kind of horrible accident would have been widely reported.
Can annoe help ?G ive me any leads?
Carrie


Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: sirsimon on Sunday 14 June 15 16:27 BST (UK)
Hello

Would the Bridgend records be affected?

My great great uncle committed suicide by consuming poison and an inquest was held into his death. I cannot find it in newspapers on find my past, ancestry and the British archive.

It is possible it has not been put online yet, but I would like to eliminate some options before I continue researching.

His name was John Nicholls Watkins, he died in September 1924 aged 39 at Bridgend. He lived in Bettws and was a coal miner

thanks
Title: Re: coroners inquest 1938
Post by: GrahamSimons on Saturday 20 June 15 21:25 BST (UK)
Hello

Would the Bridgend records be affected?

My great great uncle committed suicide by consuming poison and an inquest was held into his death. I cannot find it in newspapers on find my past, ancestry and the British archive.

It is possible it has not been put online yet, but I would like to eliminate some options before I continue researching.

His name was John Nicholls Watkins, he died in September 1924 aged 39 at Bridgend. He lived in Bettws and was a coal miner

thanks

At the moment I don't think any of these sources are digitising newspapers that are so recent. You might do better to contact the Glamorgan Archives to ask (a) which newspapers are the best bet (b) where they are held on microfilm.
This site - which is free - doesn't go beyond 1919 but might be useful for other bits of your research. http://papuraunewyddcymru.llgc.org.uk/cy/home?