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Friday, April 10, 2020

GeniAus - #AtoZChallenge - I is for Inquests

During April 2020 the month of this #AtoZChallenge I will be sharing short posts on some of the 2,000+ descendants I have identified of my 3x Great-Grandmother, Elizabeth Phipps

Elizabeth Phipps 1785-1869 was a convict who was transported from England to New South Wales in 1814 per Wanstead



Sophia Westbrook, a daughter of James Westbrook and Elizabeth Phipps. married William Sly a convict who had arrived on the “Moffatt”, in Richmond in 1844, 

Sophia had been adopted by the Seymours, childless owners of The Black Horse Inn, who left her the property. Elizabeth and William operated the Inn for many years until Sophia's death when their son William took up the licence.


Source: National Library of Australia nla.pic-vn4655360
It was the practice in many country towns for hotels to be used by local coroners for the conduct of inquests as it was not practicable to transfer bodies. No doubt Sophia and William were witnesses to several inquests as The Black Horse Inn was used for this purpose. The reports from Trove make fascinating reading.


1892 'A Child Accidentally Killed.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 24 September, p. 8. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72545112
Continue reading this account here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72545112


1891 'Inquest.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 31 January, p. 4. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72538929
Continue reading this account here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72538929



1891 'Inquest.', Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1961), 26 September, p. 8. , viewed 03 Apr 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72541029
Continue reading this story here: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72541029

I love to connect with cousins and fellow researchers. Should you find any errors in my post or have additional information please contact me. 

4 comments:

  1. I’ll have to see if I can find inquests of my ancestors’ deaths.

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  2. These news announcements of inquests are very informative. I have a collateral French Canadian ancestor who died accidentally, and a coroner's inquest is referred to on his death record. I must return to researching his case to see what I can find.

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  3. Newspaper reports are invaluable in providing details of inquests. A member of my extended family was a coach builder in the late 19th century. He committed suicide, believed to be the balance of his mind disturbed, as a result of lead poisoning. A sad story, with the report also commenting on his well known place in the local community.





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  4. It must have been a tad macabre having the inquest happening in the pub...or perhaps they were grateful for the extra business arising from the sad process. Inquests can be full of surprising details.

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