TWAS do not appear to have any records for that year, they have: Newcastle upon Tyne: Court records 1939-1969 [acc 581] South Tyneside and Gateshead (previously North East Durham/East Chester Ward): Death registers 1954-1997, case files 1966-1997, indexes 1974-1993 [CR/ND] Sunderland: Registers of deaths 1953-1977; annual returns 1962-1977; inquest files 1962-1989; coroner's daily record books 1952-1977; indexes 1987-1990 [CR/SU, T200, T523] Tynemouth, Castle Ward and Haltwhistle: Coroner's notebook 1839-1841 [DX427] Durham Record Office do not seem to have any either see http://www.durham.gov.uk/recordoffice/register.nsf/vWebDeposits?SearchView&sortorder=4&SearchWV=fa lse&query=coroner Records of reported deaths are closed for 75 years and any request to see closed records should be directed to the appropriate local coroner's office. Under the Home Office Circular 250/1967, only certain records are designated for permanent preservation. These are the indexed registers of deaths repored, 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