Genealogy Chat

Were people dissapearing and then being found in the drains being reported in the 1898' and there abouts or was it just too common an occurence to bother with?

Morning Ian! I don't think it was an every day occurance, but it certainly wasn't unheard of. I think that just like today, if there was no other 'earth shattering' news to report, it may have made it into the papers! Just thinking, does it say on the cert if there was an inquest into his death? Also thinking that 'an unsound state of mind' could mean that he had had one too many sherberts and slipped into the drain whilst under the influence! Jeanette x

I can imagine it happened a bit. Trying to walk down there during the dark is impossible as there are no lights and like I said there are no railings to stop people slipping. I'm sure this would have been in a new's paper though it's just finding the right one. If the death was registered in Hedon it might be worth looking for a local paper published around that time.

It says an inquest was held on the 6th June 1898. I like to think he'd had one too many and not actually set out to kill himself. There's more reason to think he was drunk and stupid than depressed if you knew my family. :D

Now you're talking Ian! I would think if there was an inquest, there would have been a report in the paper at the time of his body being discovered, and then one at the time of the inquest. You can also get copies of inquests I believe. None of my family have been that interesting so far (!) so I don't actually know what to do. So I would suggest starting a new thread on here asking for help with that. Ooooooooo it's all very exciting! LOL *makes note to get out more often* LOL

Yes Jeanette I think you do need to get out more, and while you're out can you nip into the Hull record office and grab a few things for me? ;) I'll just start a new thread about the inquest then. And thanks for your help.

As someone who grew up in Hull I can tell you that the 'drains' are drainage ditches, not like a manhole-cover type drain! They are quite wide and deep almost like a small canal. There are quite a few of them. There are sort of towpaths along the side that you can walk along, the same as walking along the side of a canal. He might have been taking a short cut and fell in.

I cant help thinking 'of unsound mind' points to suicide, not an accident. Even if he was p***** out of his mind, I dont think that would be called 'unsound mind'

God some positive thinker you are Heather. ;) Yeah I know it sounds more like that and it would make the second suicide in our family I'm just curious as it is a little ambiguous. We'll see what comes of the request to the library services people in Hull to see if we can find out.

The name was altered from Totally Confused actually, to try to make me a bit more positive! However, I cant see someone being of unsound mind if they were drunk - more under the influence of .................... But may be that was a term used back then to denote drunkeness, dont know. My own GGF was 'of unsound mind' - but he definitely didnt slip!

Heather, sorry, it was a joke I think positive thinker suits you better.

Woohoooo I had a reply from the library services. I have been told they have several reports photocopied for me that I can have if I send them a cheque. Can you believe they are charging me £2.50? £2.50 for god sake. How cheap is that?

Excellent result! Was that copies of newspaper reports Ian? If you want me to ask about the inquest let me know by 9.30am tomorrow Jeanette x

If you would be so kind Jeannette. Found Fourth June 1898 Marfleet UD John William Arnold Male Age 35 years Occupation: Labourer Registered 10 June 1998 Is there any other information you need?

That should be ok Ian. I'll find out for you and let you know tomorrow Just incase you're wondering, the CRO is in Beverley. I like Beverley.......I don't particularly like Hull! It's what you get used to I suppose! lol

Never been to Beverley, but had to drive to Hull a few times for work. Didn't seem that bad a place.

Hull's ok but Beverely is nice and old and quaint and has some nice pubs for dinner! lol. And the CRO is in an old chapel. They are just putting up an new building round the corner from there that will be dedicated to the history and culture (!) of the East Riding. It's due to open in Autumn

How brilliant is that! Good result, eh! And no Im not a very positive thinker - defo not. Bet you are gagging to get those photocopies now.

With the advent of the computer age and online shopping I've not used my cheque book for years... and I can't find it now!!! Arrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Well, £2.50, you could send a postal order couldnt you? Or stamps!!