Are inquest records available to the public?

Are inquest records available to the public?

All inquests are public and anyone can attend. Reports of an inquest may be published in national and local newspapers, but in practice only a minority of inquests are actually reported. You can get a copy of an inquest report from the Coroner’s Office when the inquest has concluded.

How do you find out how someone died?

Jump ahead to these sections:

1. Check Online Obituaries.
2. Search Social Media.
3. Use a Genealogy or Historical Site.
4. Look for Government Records.
5. Search Newspapers.
6. Visit the Local Courthouse.
7. Talk to Family Members.
8. Go to an Archive Facility.

How do I find out if an inquest has been held?

The death certificate should show whether an inquest was held, or if an inquest was ‘dispensed with’. Indexes to deaths registered in New South Wales are available on the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages website.

What is the purpose of an inquest?

An inquest is a court hearing where the Coroner considers evidence to determine the identity of the deceased and the date, place, manner and cause of death of the deceased. At this hearing, the Coroner may call witnesses to give evidence of their knowledge of the circumstances of the death.

Do all reports of death result in an inquest?

Not all reports of death result in an inquest. Under the current Act a coroner may dispense with an inquest if the circumstances around the death or fire are sufficiently disclosed to make a formal court hearing unnecessary. Missing persons must be declared dead by the Coroner. This must occur before the estate can be settled.

Where can I find information about the inquests held at Port Macquarie?

There may also be information in newspapers published at the time. The volumes contain reports from coroners on inquests held throughout the Colony, including a few held in Van Diemen’s Land and one at Port Macquarie. The deaths were mostly caused by drowning, apoplexy or a Visitation of God.