We all know how important death certificates are to genealogical research. These vital records contain crucial details about someone’s death – including date, location, the names of family members and informants, birth information and a cause of death. But, at the end of the day, they will only ever give you basic facts about the person you are researching, never a story.
That’s where coroners’ records come in. These unique documents can fill in the dramatic details that official certificates leave out and they are worth searching for if your ancestor passed away under unusual circumstances. They document accidents, suicides, murders, and other suspicious deaths, as well as the deaths of young people who died suddenly. They often contain witness statements, autopsy findings and sworn testimony from family members – making them a goldmine. Best of all, many are available for free online if you know where to look.
Oxford Chronicle Company, Ltd. (n.d.). Records of mediæval Oxford. Coroners’ inquests, the walls of Oxford, etc.,/ edited by the Rev. H.E. Salter … 1912, p6. FamilySearch.org. http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idurl/1/45023
When Did Coroners Get Involved in a Death?
Coroners investigated more deaths than you might expect. While they regularly handled violent deaths like murders, accidents, and suicides they also got called for the sudden deaths of people in good health. Your ancestor didn’t need to die a violent death to create a coroner’s file. A healthy 40-year-old who collapsed without warning would get an inquest. Young people who died without a doctor present triggered investigations as well.
Workplace deaths often required coroner involvement and deaths in police custody did too. Any death with unusual or suspicious circumstances and the coroner was brought in.
In some areas, coroners’ records predate official death certificates. This makes them especially valuable for early deaths in your family tree, before the the issuing of official death records became more common.
What These Records Contain
Coroners’ files go far beyond standard death information. The basic register has key details about the deceased. It includes their name, address, age, gender, occupation, marital status, and place of birth. It lists where the death occurred, as well as the date and time.
But the real value lies in the investigative documents. Necrology reports describe the exact manner of death. Pathology reports provide detailed information about the deceased person’s health. Toxicology results reveal poison or alcohol involvement.
Witness testimony provides the richest information. Family members gave sworn statements about what they saw or knew. Neighbors described what they heard. Business owners explained the circumstances. These statements reveal relationships, daily routines, and community connections.
Police statements appear in criminal cases and jury verdicts and testimony add more detail. Some files even contain physical evidence like photographs, bullets, or suicide notes. The medical examiner’s report gives professional findings. The inquest date shows when the investigation concluded and the verdict states the official ruling on how death occurred.
Detail in all of these types of reports can help you understand your ancestors’ lives and deaths more fully than a simple death certificate ever can.
Source: Coroner’s inquests (Jackson County, North Carolina), 1937-1974; ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QC-D9K5-N
How to Know If a Coroner Was Involved in a Death
Death registrations may say whether an inquest occurred. This helps you to avoid searching for files that do not exist. Start with the death certificate. Many death certificates show who signed them. A coroner’s signature indicates that an investigation has taken place.
In England, death certificates from 1875 onward include inquest details when one occurs. They list the date and location of the inquest. American practices vary by state, but many follow similar patterns. Also look for unusual causes of death on certificates. “Accidental drowning,” “gunshot wound,” or “unknown causes” suggest coroner involvement.
Newspaper obituaries and death notices often mention inquests. Look for phrases like “pending investigation” or “coroner’s jury convened.” Articles about accidents, crimes, or mysterious deaths usually name the coroner.
Family stories provide clues, too. Tales of tragic accidents or unexplained deaths point toward a potential coroner’s file. 
Source: Coroner’s inquest. – suicide with strychnine. – The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954) – 12 Jan 1888 (1888) Trove. Available at: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13679911 (Accessed: 31 October 2025).
Where to Find Coroners’ Records
Most coroners’ records live at the county level. Counties maintain these files because coroners serve specific jurisdictions. Large cities sometimes have separate medical examiners’ offices. Start by contacting the county where the death occurred. Call or email the county clerk’s office and ask if they hold these historical records and how to access them.
Here are some places online where you may find these records:
1. FamilySearch has microfilmed coroners’ records from many areas. Search the FamilySearch Catalog by location. Use the keyword “coroner” to find available collections. Some have been digitized and made viewable online for free.
2. The Ancestor Hunt maintains a comprehensive list of online coroner record collections. Their Coroner Records Links Page has about 350 free collections from the U.S. This saves you hours of searching for scattered resources.
3. Court records sometimes contain these files as well. If an inquest leads to a murder or manslaughter trial, the coroner’s findings are part of the case. Check criminal court records at county courthouses or state archives or in online databases. Quarter Sessions records hold coroners’ inquests from 1752 to 1860 in England. Local and county record offices keep these. An example of where you can find court records online is The Proceedings of the Old Bailey in London – here the word coroner shows up in more than 1000 records. And while the coroner’s record may not be included, you will at least find clues to what proceedings involved them.
4. Almost all of the large paid sites like Ancestry, MyHeritage and Findmypast also have some of these records. Search them if you have a subscription or check their catalogs for a list. If large sites don’t have the records you’re looking for be sure to search Google for keywords related to the record you need. Many smaller sites exist that hold transcriptions or indexes (and sometimes scanned copies) of specific records not found online elsewhere.
When you do find these records online you will need an approximate death date before starting your search. The more specific your date, the faster you’ll find the file. When you cannot find an index listing, try alternate name spellings. Coroner’s clerks sometimes misspell names. Check for phonetic variations.
The FamilySearch Wiki provides jurisdiction-specific guidance. Search for your ancestor’s location to learn about available records and access procedures for these records. Here is a list of guides.
Unfortunately, most coroner’s records are not indexed or digitized so you may need to go offline.
County archives and historical societies often house old coroners’ files. Local libraries may have them too. These institutions typically allow public access, although privacy laws may apply to recent deaths.
State archives collect coroner’s records from multiple counties. Check their websites or catalogs for holdings from your ancestors’ area. Privacy restrictions may affect access. Check the specific rules for your research location.
Use online searches to locate additional offline repositories. Type your county name plus “coroner records” or “coroners’ records” into a search engine. Look for government websites, archive finding aids, and research guides and then reach out by phone or email. Some places will search for you for a fee and email or mail and record – don’t be afraid to ask. This article provides tips for finding and ordering offline records. You will likely also find some additional online resources this way.
Using Newspapers to Supplement Coroner’s Records
Newspapers provided detailed coverage of the inquests. Dramatic deaths make for good stories. Reporters sat in on inquests and published detailed accounts. Search digitized newspaper collections for your ancestor’s name and death date. Free sources include Chronicling America, which provides access to historical American newspapers. Many public libraries let you access Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank for free with a library card.
Newspaper articles often provide more readable summaries than official files. They quote witnesses and describe scenes. Some even include details that the formal record omits. Articles are also helpful when someone loses or restricts access to the official coroner’s file. The newspaper article keeps the key facts, even if you cannot access the original documents. Always be wary though of secondhand information found in newspapers as they can often be inaccurate and sensationalized. Look for primary sources to back up your newspaper research whenever possible.
Source: New-York tribune. (New York, NY), Jan. 3 1899. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn83030214/1899-01-03/ed-1/.
What to Do Next
Coroners’ records open doors to other sources. Witness names lead to census records, city directories, and church records. Occupation details point toward employment records. Mentions of organizations suggest membership files to explore. Police involvement often results in criminal court records. Prison terms mentioned in the inquests guide you to penitentiary records. Newspaper coverage of the case provides more names and details. Medical details help you understand health conditions that affected other family members. Causes of death reveal patterns of disease or injury in your family line.
These records help bring your ancestors’ stories to life. They had complex lives and died under circumstances that deserve investigation. The effort to find them pays off in detailed family stories.
Sources:
- https://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/archives/tools/documents/coroners_guide_2025.pdf
- https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/coroners-inquests/
- https://learngenealogy.com/coroners-records/
- https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/why-you-should-research-coroner-records-and-where-to-find-them/
- https://www.thelondonarchives.org/your-research/research-guides/coroners-inquests
- https://familytreewebinars.com/webinar/cause-of-death-using-coroners-records-for-genealogy/
- https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/research-guides/research-guide-a3-tracing-family-history-maritime-records
- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/misc/hb_me.pdf
- https://berksfhs.org/product/coroners-records-a-gibson-guide/