Coroners Inquests

[Trunkybun1]

Still looking at the Mercer family from Headcorn. Does anyone know if it is possible to find coroners inquest reports? Margaret Susan Mercer 1892 - 1894... believe she tipped over her highchair and hit her head on the floor. Thomas Hind Mercer 1878 - 1890 drowned in a tributary of the Beult river (have newspaper articles) John George Mercer 1977 - 1886 aged 8...he may be the one that fell off the hay cart. Robert Hoar Mercer 1881 - 1904...found emaciated in a field, carried home and died (have newspaper article).

[grandarog]

There are Newspaper reports mentioning the Coroners inquests for Thomas and Robert but nothing found for Margaret or John.

[Jebber]

It's hit and miss as to whether Coroner's reports survive. The best place to look is the local Archives for the area in which the death occurred.  Usually the you get more information from newspaper reports if there is one.

[Pennines]

There is this information about Coroners Inquests on the National Archives website;

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/coroners-inquests/

My understanding was, that only really important inquest details were retained indefinitely, I thought I had read that years ago on the National Archives site - but these latest details don't say that. However, as you will see - there are several options as to where they may be stored!

[Trunkybun1]

Thank you for all your responses. I have now emailed the Kent archives to see if they can advise. It does seem to be a bit hit or miss whether reports still exist or not.