General Chat

Hello. I'm told my great grandad Thomas Bickerdike (1864) died by falling from some scaffolding and impaling himself on the railings of a church in Huddersfield. A grim story, and I would like to find out if there is truth in it. Any one any idea how I might find out?
Thanks Suzanne

There may be details on his death cert or failing that bound to be reported in local paper, there may have been also a Coroners' Inquest. This would noted on the cert.

The death certificate would be your best bet as this would give the exact date of death and whether or not there was an inquest (if there was then the coroner would be the informant).

If there was an inquest then it would almost certainly be reported in the local newspapers. You can usually find back copies of these on microfilm at the nearest library to where the event took place.

In those days inquests were usually held very soon after the death - within a few days and reported in the newspapers either the same day or very soon afterwards so this would help with finding the records.

Kath. x

Hi Suzanne,

Jonesey hasa good tip on the Tips Board for an online library for newspapers;

http://www.genesreunited.co.uk/boards.page/board/tips_board/thread/1232629

I have joined myself and it's very easy to do so and quite easy to use and best of all it's FREE!!!!

Happy hunting, Dee x

Thanks all, that's great. I've only been at this 2 days so it's all new. unfortunately I don't know when he died, yet, so that will be where I start. I had no idea people would respond so quickly! I sense another late night coming on...

Thank you

Suzanne x

Your Tom?

Name: Tom Alexander Bickerdike
Year of Registration: 1863
Quarter of Registration: Jan-Feb-Mar
District: Huddersfield
County: Yorkshire - West Riding, West Yorkshire
Volume: 9a
Page: 329


Tom A Bickerdike
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1863
Year of Registration: 1914
Quarter of Registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Age at Death: 51
District: Huddersfield
County: Yorkshire - West Riding, West Yorkshire
Volume: 9a
Page: 407 (click to see others on page

1911 census
This looks like your Tom working as a painter & decorator shortly before his death:

1911 address search redefine current search
Name Relation Condition/
Yrs married Sex Age Birth
Year Occupation Where Born Original
census
image

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BICKERDIKE, Thomas A Head Married M 47 1864 Painter And Decorator Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Martha Wife Married
26 years F 47 1864 Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Frank Son Single M 19 1892 Painter And Decorator Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Fred Son Single M 16 1895 Leather Belt Maker Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Arthur Son M 13 1898 Mill Hand Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, George Son M 11 1900 Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Clara Daughter F 9 1902 Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, John Son M 6 1905 Yorks Huddersfield VIEW
BICKERDIKE, Alexanda Son M 2 1909 Yorks Huddersfield VIEW

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RG number:
RG14 Piece:
26288 Reference:
RG14PN26288 RG78PN1521 RD495 SD8 ED3 SN124

Registration District:
Huddersfield Sub District:
Huddersfield Enumeration District:
3 Parish:
Huddersfield

Address:
1 Lity St Huddersfield County:
Yorkshire (West riding)

Yes, both of the above are correct.I've found his parents and siblings, I'd just be interested in the circumstances he died. Though I guess it was probably just an unfortunate accident.

I've registered with the library and tried to find him in the old papers and nothing has come up. I found out today, from my uncle, that it was St Andrews Church on Leeds Road Huddersfield, that had the offending railings....

There may be an archivist for St Andrews church who could look through the old records from that time, such as records of parochial church council meetings or a church magazine/newsletter.