Missouri Coroner's Inquest Database

I thought that I would follow-up yesterday's post about Missouri with this one regarding the Coroner's Inquest Database that is available for searching. The records in this database includes the following information:

# Name of deceased
# Age or date of birth
# Race
# Gender
# Date of death
# Cause of death
# Location of death

The records have to be at least 72 years old prior to being released onto the internet for public viewing due to privacy issues. The coroner records are created from "deaths that occur under accidental, questionable, unusual, or suspicious circumstances. Coroner’s records contain unique information about the men and women who died in Missouri." The information that you view is extracted information and does not include a link to the original records, however, the microfilm number is provided for further research. The Missouri Corner's Inquest Database also points out that other valuable information can be obtained by viewing the microfilm including "....testimony and reports can imply relationships that are not otherwise specified. Friends and family often offered sworn statements. If the inquest interview is conducted with a translator, it could indicate immigrant status, leading to a search of naturalization records for citizenship status. If a criminal investigation is suggested or inquest verdict given, researchers may want to consult circuit court records or penitentiary/prison records for additional information."

As you can see the Coroner's Inquest Database can provide valuable information for the genealogist or family historian whether it is for the the State of Missouri or some other state in the United States.

If you would like to research this database, click Coroner's Inquest Database to be directed to the website.