Where can I access a coroners report from the 1970s?

puddy

We want to access a report into my OHs mother;s death from the mid 70s. He has some newspaper records but they only mention what we already know and we wondered if the actual reports would contain more information.

Ive done some family history but have stalled when I came to more specific records so has anyone sent off for something like this? Where do I write to and how much will it cost?

GobbledyGook

Have you got the death certificate? I don't know if it is the same in England, but in Scotland if there is a report there's a link to the brief detail with the death cert in the Record of Corrected Entries.

kingfisherblue

I'm not sure whether this is the right information, but if it was me, I think I would contact the coroner's officce in the area where the lady died. For me, that would be a large hospital about 20 minutes from where I live (not the smaller, local hospital, which doesn't have a coroner's office). If they cannot help, they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Also, you don't say how your OH's mother died, but if there was any police involvement (such as if she was a victim of a criome that caused her death), the police station in the relevant town might also be able to help.

The newspaper might have extra information in their archives, but I would think this unlikely.

puddy

it was a suicide so there will be records. we would also like some hospital records if possible but how would we access these, could we write to the hospital? would they disclose these?

kingfisherblue

I've no idea, but there is no harm in asking. You might have to pay an administration fee though. Also, as the records will not be electronic, they are likely to be stored offsite. This would almost certainly mean that the records might take some time to obtain, if indeed it is possible at all.

GobbledyGook

It depends how long they keep the records for. When I was doing my family tree we wanted to get some records pertaining to a suicide that was first suspected foul play, but none of the places kept the records for any longer than 20 or 25 years. You could write or phone the hospital and they may tell you who to contact, if it's at all possible.

GobbledyGook

Was the death in a small town or a big city? If it was a small town it may be worth speaking to the local newspaper. I ended up getting more information from a retired journalist from a small local paper who kept meticulous diaries than I ever got from official sources as they'd all shreded everything.

Johnhowell

I understand that Coroners records are closed for 75 years. So you may not be able to get access.

Good luck,
John

pmlindyloo

Johnhowell wrote: »

I understand that Coroners records are closed for 75 years. So you may not be able to get access.

Good luck,
John

There may be a way around this:

''Access restrictions do apply to coroner's records less than 75 years old, although under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, access may be granted to these papers if permission from the current coroner is received and no exemptions to disclosure are applicable.''

Hope this helps.

LondonDiva

puddy wrote: »

it was a suicide so there will be records. we would also like some hospital records if possible but how would we access these, could we write to the hospital? would they disclose these?

Most likely the hospital records would be shredded by now. Even if the patient were alive, hoapital records rtend to be shredded after 10 years if the patient is not a regular and after 25 if the patient is a child / vulnerable in some way.

It's worth a go to see what you come up with. Go on the hospital's website and look for the information relating to Access to health records. You will need to write to the medical records manager with a request that they check if the records still exist and also an estimated cost for supplying the records. most hospitals will have a form to complete on the website to speed the process up.

Good luck.:)

puddy

thanks everyone, it was in london. i have rang the relevant coroners office today and she gave me the name and address to write to to request the report but she didnt say anything about whether they would still have them. according to news paper reports the hospital had to supply reports for the inquest so i have asked for these in the letter plus witness statements

we have a problem with the hospital. it was either hardwick hospital or friern barnet psychiatric hospital, we are confused as to whether they are one and the same but as far as we know neither exist today?

ive found that records for friern barnet hospital from 1834 to 1993 are held by the LMA but they're not open until after the new year. we have to make a special request i suppose as those records arent open to the public IF they still exist