Family History in Manchester

Unfortunately, coroners' records frequently have been destroyed. This is certainly the case with the records of the coroner for the City of Manchester, where the only 19th century records to survive are witnesses' depositions for the dates 22 August 1851 - 24 December 1852, held by the Greater Manchester County Record Office (ref GB127.M381/1/1/1-2). An index to these depositions is available on-line at Manchester Family History Research.

The Greater Manchester County Record Office also holds some 20th century coroners' records for Manchester, Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale. Coroners' records are closed for 75 years, and permission to see records less than 75 years old would have to be obtained from the Manchester Coroner, and is only given in exceptional circumstances.

In the absence of coroners' records, a report of any inquest conducted by the coroner for the city of Manchester might be found in local newspapers. The Manchester Guardian is searchable on-line and free access to this is available via the 24 hour Library.

The Greater Manchester County Records Office does hold a scrapbook of newspaper cuttings for the period 1900-1938 (ref GB127.M381/2), mostly concerned with coroners' cases. It is not clear how complete the scrapbook is.