Alaska, Coroner's Inquests Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
This collection consists of digital images of records of coroner's inquests from the collections at the Alaska State Archives for the years 1908 to 1940.

Record Content
The records may contain any of the following:

The records usually contain the following information:


 * Name of deceased
 * Date and place of death
 * Cause of death
 * Unusual details surrounding the death
 * Date examination was made
 * Sometimes, name of mortuary is given
 * Other remarks or details

How to Use the Record
To begin your search, it is helpful to know:


 * Name of the deceased
 * Other identifying information such as death date and place

Search the Collection
To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒ Select the appropriate "County" ⇒ Select the appropriate "Record Type, Date Range and Volume" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:


 * There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 * You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 * Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example:


 * Use the death date or age to calculate an approximate birth year.
 * Use the birth date or age along with the residence or place of birth of the deceased to locate census, church, and land records.
 * Use the death date and residence to search for other probate documents such as a will or probate packet.
 * Use the burial information to find cemetery and funeral records.

Tips to Keep in Mind

 * You may be able to use these records to identify heirs and relatives and to learn about land transactions, adoptions or guardianships of any minor children and dependents.
 * If an occupation is listed you may be able to use it to find employment records or other types of records such as military records.
 * Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname as the deceased; this is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.
 * Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have died in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.
 * When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
 * The information in the records is usually reliable, but depends upon the reliability of the deceased or the testator.
 * Even though there is some variation in the information given from one record to another record, the information given is quite reliable.
 * You may need to search for your ancestor by both their Indian and American name.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

 * Look for an index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
 * Search the records of nearby localities.
 * Be aware that not every death had an inquest.

Related Websites

 * Alaska GenWeb Project
 * Alaska Newspaper Obituaries
 * Alaska Genealogy
 * Alaska State Archives
 * Alaska Court System

Related Wiki Articles

 * Alaska Court Records
 * Alaska Probate Records
 * Alaska Newspapers

Citations for This Collection
Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

Image Citation: