Genealogy Chat

I have a family memeber with a common name - Arthur Brown and only a very approximate date of death - 5 years either side of about 1935! I have only an approximate area of residence - Kensington and Paddington. I have contacted the local cemetary but their records are not open for public viewing and anyway - waht if he was known by his middle name? I can't seem to find anything that fits on the GRO references for birth or death (tho' I am about to try marriage) All sounds a bit vague but I am trying to look sideways in my tree and this chap had a very suspicious death - which the older members of my family recall with different stories. I need a date of death to look at coronors reports, newspapers etc. I think I am asking if anyone knows any way of researching deaths - I am happy to travel! Am I asking too much? I'd appreciate another perspective! Sylvie

Do you have the family entry for the 1901 census? This will possibly give you the name he was commonly known by and maybe any middle initial, plus a birth date, or at least age he confessed to in public which can help. Have you tried the London Metropotitain archive, if there was a corroners inquest that may give you details and shouldnt be too hard to search for, also you could try probate register, if he made a will probate would have to be granted, and if he died intesate with property there would have to be letters of administration. None of this is foolproof, but has the advantage of being shorter than the national death records at the FRC. Another possiblilty is the Newspaper Library at Colindale (or the local history library for the area may have copies available to search through) Best of luck Pam

Thank you Pam I have the family on the 1901 but suspect he was born after that - unfortunately! I didn't know that coronors records could be accessed at the LMA (or letters of administration) so I will make a trip there. He died when quite young and I doubt that there was a will. Thanks again Sylvie