Under the Home Office Circular 250/1967, a schedule of destruction of coroners records is laid down. While they are within the definition of public records and open to the public after 75 years many will not have survived those 75 years. Once 15 years old the records can be 'weeded,' that is destroyed or sampled by the individual coroner concerned. Only certain records are designated for permanent preservation. These are the indexed registers of deaths reported, all papers dated before 1875 and cases of general public, scientific, forensic, social, local, industrial or historical interest along with papers relating to treasure trove. Additionally, a random sample of other papers may also be kept, although coroners are free to keep all their records. However, from the nineteenth century a newspaper report is more likely to be the only surviving account. These can be seen in local libraries and the Newspaper Library, Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5HE. Regards Stan Mapstone