Hello

My cousin and I have been trying to locate our great grandfather's burial information. We don't have a lot to go on other than he may have died in the Forest of Dean area. We live on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, and researching overseas has proven very difficult........to say the least. We are of Portuguese decent, and we have found one lead that may be the man we have been seeking. His name was Jose Pereira Dias, and here is my request.

We need someone to go through the archived newspapers for Monmouth to see if there is a newspaper report for a man who drowned in the Wye River on or about November 13, 1924. He was found at Welsh Bicknor and buried at Monmouth as an unknown male. He was about 55 years old.

Can anyone help us out, or lead us in the right direction to find this information if possible, it would be so much appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Barbara Dias

There should be an inquest report for this death. Gwent Record Office at Cwmbran covers what used to be the Monmouth area. I will ring them and see if they do hold inquest reports. I had some success with suicide deaths in Lincolshire last year, but one never knows what another record office holds. I will let you know. Ray

Thank you Ray, it's difficult to search anything from way over here, I appreciate it very much
Barb Dias

After many phone calls I have found something. Starting with the Newport library they did a search and rang me the next day after finding nothing. The same with Gwent Record Office who had large gaps in the keeping of coroners inquest reports and 1924 was in a gap. Then to the coroners office who do not keep records as far back as that. Gwent RO did say that Monmouth Museum had started a filing system of local events but I had no reply to my call. I then tried Newport Register Office to see if there was a death certificate but no entry around that date. They did however say that Welsh Bicknor, although once upon a time was in Monmouthshire, is in Herefordshire, so I turned my attention to that county. Their Record Office once again did not have inquest reports but I have asked them to search the newspapers and they are coming back to me on that. Ross on Wye has a Register Office which operates 3 days a week for about 2 hours and in a recorded message they provided a fax number and so I sent them one. Today I have had an email from the Registrar saying that they do have an entry for that date, and if you wish I can obtain a copy of the death certificate for which the fee is £7 plus postage. Should you wish me to go ahead I can get one but I will require reimbursement.
I shall let you know if Hereford RO find a newspaper entry. Cheers Ray