A guide to family history research using the major Victorian resources
An inquest is an inqury into the circumstances of sudden, unexplained and suspicious deaths, accidents and suicides.
Up until mid 1986, Victorian inquests were held before a Coroner in a Coroners Court. From July 1, 1986 the State Coroners Office took on this function.
| 1840-1985 |
Inquests into deaths (deposition files 1840-1985) |
|
| 1840-1985 |
Inquest index Victoria on CD-ROM (incomplete) Inquest index Victoria on microfiche
|
Online in the library GMF 105 box 3 |
| 1837-1879 |
Inquests held for Geelong & District.
|
G994.52 B99K |
| 1854-1888 |
Bendigo Advertiser - Index of funerals, inquests, obituaries, accidents and more |
G 994.54 B 433H and GMF 101 box 3 |
The following collections are held at the Public Record Office Victoria,
Before you can view records at PROV you need to order them through their website. Go to their Ordering Records page for further details..
In October 2010, access to post 1985 Coroner’s Court records was closed. For further information regarding possible access to Coroner’s Court records created after 1985, contact the Coroners Court of Victoria Information and Records Manager on 1300 309 519 or visit the Court’s website.
Generally, you need to be an 'interested party' in an investigation to gain access to documents. To become an interested party, you must write to the court and explain your interest in the case, and list the documents you want.
If you are not the senior next of kin or an interested party recognised by the court, you can apply by completing an application form, ‘Form 45 - Application for access to Coronial documents’. Complete and return the form to:
Coroners Court of Victoria
Level 11, 222 Exhibition Street
Melbourne 3000
Fax: 1300 546 989
Email: coronerscourt.records@coronerscourt.vic.gov.au
The Coroners Act 2008 requires that all inquest findings with recommendations be published on the internet, unless otherwise ordered by a coroner.
On the Coroners' Court of Victoria website is a list of inquest finding and coroners recommendations from 1 Novermber 2009. Please be aware that some information may be graphic or distressing.
