Roanoke County (Va.) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1840-1946

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888

Summary

Creator:
Roanoke County (Va.) Circuit Court
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

Roanoke County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1840-1946, are investigations into the deaths of individuals who died by a sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious manner, or died without medical attendance. Causes of death found in coroners' inquisitions include murder, infanticide, suicide, domestic violence, exposure to elements, drownings, train accidents, automobile accidents, and natural causes, or as commonly referred to in the 19th century, visitation by God. Documents commonly found in coroners' inquests include the inquisition, depositions, and summons. Criminal papers such as recognizance bonds can be found in coroner inquisitions. Information found in the inquisition include the name of the coroner, the names of the jurors, the name and age of the deceased if known, gender and race of the deceased, and when, how, and by what means the deceased came to his or her death. If the deceased was African American, the inquest would identify the deceased as a slave or free person if known. If the deceased was a slave, the inquest would include, if known, the name of the slaveowner and the slaveowner's residence. Information found in the depositions include the name of the deponent and his or her account of the circumstances that led to the death of the deceased. Slaves were deponents in coroner investigations.

Roanoke County (Va) Coroners' Inquisitions, 1932-1940, is a volume containing coroners' reports. Information recorded includes case number, date of report, name of deceased, age, sex, date of death, mode of death, whether inquest was performed, whether autopsy was performed, disposition of body, and coroners' notes. Many of the reports include newspaper clippings of stories related to the death of the deceased or obituaries.

Biographical / historical:

Roanoke County was named for the Roanoke River. The name is an Indian word meaning shell money. The county was named from Botetourt County in 1838, and part of Montgomery County was added later.

The separate office of coroner appeared in Virginia about 1660. The judicial duty of the office is to hold inquisitions in cases when persons meet sudden, violent, unnatural or suspicious death, or death without medical attendance. The coroner would summon a jury to assist him in determining cause of death. Prior to November 1877, the jurors numbered twelve. Between November 1877 and March 1926, the jurors numbered six. The jury viewed the body of the deceased and heard the testimony of witnesses. The coroner was required to write down witness testimony. After seeing and hearing the evidence, the jury delivered in writing to the coroner their conclusion concerning cause of death referred to as the inquisition. After March 1926, only the coroner determined cause of death. He could require physicians to assist him with determing cause of death. If a criminal act was determined to be the cause of death, the coroner was to deliver the guilty person to the sheriff and the coroners' inquests would be used as evidence in the criminal trial.

Acquisition information:
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court records from Roanoke County. The one volume came to the Library of Virginia under the accession number 50203.
Arrangement:

Chronological by date coroner filed inquisition in the court.

Physical location:
Library of Virginia
Physical description:
1.05 cu. ft. (3 boxes) and 1 v.