Search Wiltshire, Coroners Inquest Records 1640-1901

In these records you will find information including -

• First name
• Last name
• Age at death (if known)
• Year of death
• Date of death
• Cause of death (if known)
• Location

Inquests are held to investigate the circumstances surrounding a death, particularly when the cause is unknown, violent, or unnatural, or when the person died in custody, to establish the identity of the deceased, how, when, and where they died, and to provide details needed for death registration. The inquest records in this data set are all held at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.

Some background information on inquests is given here:

Purpose

• a. Fact-finding: The primary purpose of an inquest is to establish the facts surrounding a death, not to assign blame or determine criminal liability.
• b. Identifying the deceased: Inquests help confirm the identity of the person who died.
• c. Determining cause of death: The inquest aims to determine how, when, and where the death occurred.
• d. Providing information for registration: The inquest provides the necessary details for the death to be officially registered

When

• a. Unknown cause of death: If the cause of death remains unclear after a post-mortem examination,an inquest is necessary.
• b. Violent or unnatural death: If there is reason to suspect that the death was not natural, an inquest is required.
• c. Death in custody: If the person died while in police or state custody (including prisons, immigrationdetention centres, or secure mental health hospitals), an inquest is mandatory.

Process

• a. Public hearing: Inquests are public hearings, and anyone can attend, including the public and the media.
• b. Witnesses: Witnesses, including relatives, friends, and others with relevant information, may be called to give evidence.
• c. Coroner's role: The coroner, a legally qualified individual, presides over the inquest, questioning witnesses and investigating the circumstances of the death.
• d. Jury: In some cases, inquests may be held with a jury, particularly in cases of unnatural deaths or deaths in custody.
• e. Conclusion: At the end of the inquest, the coroner (or jury) will reach a conclusion about the cause and circumstances of the death.
• f. No trial: It is important to remember that an inquest is not a trial, and the coroner does not determine guilt or assign blame

Thanks to the R F Hunnisett, Jean Cole, Diana Grout, Kay Bowyer, Jane Syckelmoore and Liz McAbendroth. For their work on these records and also to staff of Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre for making the documents consulted readily available.