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Archiver > STEER > 2005-08 > 1124211202


From: "John Steer" <>
Subject: Re: [STEER] Steer family in Esher Surrey late 19th Century - The Bear Inn
Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 17:53:22 +0100
References: <005701c5a175$a5e65b30$03d9ff50@bruce>


> Oral family history has it that one of this family of Steers committed
> suicide by hanging himself in the barn of The Bear Inn in Esher.

Liz,

There would have been an inquest which almost certainly would have been
reported in the local papers but it could be time consuming to locate.

Alternatively, more expensive but potentially quicker, identifying likely
candidates from the family as constructed from the censuses and any BMD
certificates that you have, taking a chance with death certificates.

I would caution though, experiences with family legends are that they
contain grains of truth but can change with each telling, they are easily
embellished for the sake of interest. Take the purest form of the story,
break down the facts, e.g. suicide, hanging, barn and inn, then be prepared
to leave out one or more of those facts.

John Steer, Dorking, England


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