belli

[Currie]

Hello Helen,

Inquests were often reported to some extent by the London Times but I don’t know if they all were. If you search the London Times via the current Freebee or otherwise using search terms INQUEST or INQUESTS in the approximate time period a number will come to notice. Nothing seems to come up by searching for BELLI but its possible, if its there, that the print may be fuzzy and not being recognised.

When was the death registered? A long delay after death may indicate the body was not immediately found. Who reported the death (informant)? was it a family member or someone in an official capacity such as a member of the Police Force? What was the cause of death? Drowning? This information may give a bit of a clue as to when an inquest, if any, might have been conducted.

Alan

[hg]

Thanks to everyone for the tips.

I have had a quick look at the websites Jack and Ann gave me, they shed some light on Rochsoles House. Perhaps, as you said Ann there may be some information on the Gerard family that can help my research for Stephano.

Alan, Stephano's death certificate states he was found in the river Thames on 17/2/1879 and that he had been there for about six weeks. The inquest was held in Surrey 0n 21/2/1879. He was found dead. no marks of violence no proof of how he came into the water. So nothing to say how he died.

I don't know why he was in London as he had a wife and family in Edinburgh. The last child they had was in 1876. Perhaps he was looking for work.

I also don't know who reported him missing or if he was living with family at the time.

regards

Helen

[Currie]

Back again Helen,

It’s a frustrating and disturbing thing and the sort of mystery you can do without.

I couldn’t see anything in the London Times, perhaps it didn’t sound interesting enough to report. Any old Surrey Coroner records appear to be held at the Surrey History Centre although their catalogue, if I’m reading it correctly, seems to be saying that the only 1800s year they have is 1869.

http://www.surreycoroner.info/surreycoroner.html

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/surreyhistorycentre

Click on “Search for Archives or Books” and in the “Collection Catalogue” try searches for Coroner and Inquest. National Archives, apart from a few odds and ends seem to be pointing at Surrey History Centre. It might be worthwhile contacting the Surrey History Centre to find out what happened to the 1879 records.

The City of London seems to hold much more extensive records but I guess that’s different to Surrey http://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/NR/rdonl ... quests.pdf

There’s a book “Coroner's Records in England and Wales” by Jeremy Gibson & Colin Rogers. Maybe your library has a copy. There’s a bit of information about it here http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/LO ... 1112851335

Hope there’s something useful there for you,
Alan

[hg]

Thanks Alan.

Yes, I found the Surry History Centre yesterday. I have emailed them.

If I don't get anywhere I will consider the book you have recomended.

regards

Helen

[hg]

Hi Alan,

Me again. Thought I'd let you know I had a reply from the Surry archives. You were right there are no coroners reports from 1879 but they were quite helpful. They have suggested that there may be a report in a local newspaper and have provided several web sites I may be able to get some info from so fingers crossed.

I am also persuing the angle of Stephano's employer at Rochsoles House in Lanark.

reagrds
Helen

[Currie]

Thanks Helen,

My Great Grandmother’s 1898 Inquest file (in Australia) was also got rid of and I had to rely on Newspapers so it looks like the practice was widespread.

The best of luck with your search.

Alan