Inquests

[morganrfran]

I have read the post about inquests, but have an enquiry about a death at sea. My GGuncle 'fell' or as seems likely jumped, the first day out of Liverpool en route to Canada in 1876. No passports at this time so this was very difficult to trace as it was only recorded under his initials and a guess at his age (in fact 29). I have no idea if this has been recorded anywhere as his useful middle name would probably not be used and the rest of his name not uncommon. He was George Keyworth Fenn b 1847, a stockbroker from London.

His widow appears to have ended up dying of pneumonia in 1890 in the infirmary attached to the workhouse in Lambeth, but whoever recorded the death has given a wrong maiden name, although she is correctly put as widow of George Fenn, Stockbroker. There was an inquest but I don't know where to look for it. Any help appreciated!

[Peter Goodey]

There was an inquest but I don't know where to look for it

I'm afraid that no London coroners' papers for that period have survived. You may find something in the local press although from what you say it may not have been very newsworthy. Presumably you've tried the workhouse records.

[Geoffers]

Welcome to the B-G forums.

Have you got a copy of the death certificate to see if that gives any more information than the index to marine deaths 1872-1883?

Folio 2328 G K Fenn aged about 30, fell overboard 19.12.76, ship Allimani 69229 Date of receipt 15.1.77

19th century newspapers try the British Library web-site:

http://
newspapers.bl.uk/blcs/

[Colin Moretti]

Deaths at sea should have been reported by the master of the ship from 1854, see this TNA research guide (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/births-marriages-deaths-sea.htm) for more information.

Colin

[morganrfran]

A staff member at Kew located the death report from the Illimani, of which I have a copy, but I have never located the d/c. I don't know why. When one could go to Islington I tried under overseas deaths, but no luck to date. Thanks for the tip re British Library site. The problem with seeking references on the net is that the words George and Fenn occur frequently but not necessarily together! I shall keep trying!

Such help much appreciated.

[Peter Goodey]

1. Are you familiar with this Research Guide? (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/births-marriages-deaths-sea.htm)

2. 19th Century British Newspapers Online is available free to members of Hampshire Libraries.

3. Have you tried BT158? See http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalogue/displaycataloguedetails.asp?CATLN=3&CATID=1629&SearchInit=4&SearchType=6&CATREF=BT+158 Also see the book mentioned in the bibliography.

Note the link in the above catalogue entry to the site where BT 158 is available online. In the index I can see a George Fenn who died at sea in 1875. Might this be your man? You would need to buy a few credits to see the register.

[Colin Moretti]

...The problem with seeking references on the net is that the words George and Fenn occur frequently but not necessarily together! ....That's easily sorted - just search for "george fenn" (including the inverted commas) and your search engine will only look for that phrase; alternative use your search engine's advanced search where you should be able to specify an exact phrase.

Colin