NRS-1788 Registers of bodies received, 1908–1965

Item list for NRS-1788 Registers of bodies received [Sydney City Coroner] 1908-1965

Each entry of these registers was apparently filled in by the person (usually a policeman) depositing the body. They give number and date, name and sex, age, where born and occupation, when and where found, remarks giving full personal description ( in cases which bodies have not been identified ), and a statement of all wounds or injuries appearing thereon. They are signed by the person depositing the body.

From about 1920 photographs of the body are sometimes included in the volumes when the identity is unknown. This practice stopped 1926.

From 7 September 1951 a change in format occurs with the expansion of remarks to include data on the circumstances under which death took place, particulars of property found on deceased and how disposed. The person who received the body for the undertaker and date the transfer from the Morgue took place is also noted.

Miscellaneous property receipts are sometimes included with entries or at the back of the register. In addition an alphabetical index to bodies is located at the beginning of each register.

Access the registers in our State Archives Reading Room at Kingswood.