For many years the death of my great grandfather Edwin Gradwell Strickland was a mystery although the story passed down through the family was that he died 'in a rifle range accident.' What I did know from documents was that he was alive on the 1881 census but by 1895 he was deceased.

He was born in 1852 in Liverpool and was still living there in 1881 but I could find no trace of him on the 1891 census in England nor any record of his death.

Through the help I have received through this message board it was finally established that Edwin Strickland, aged about 42, was buried at Braddan, Isle of Man on the 10th August 1894.

I have now received the death certificate and it makes fascinating reading. I will give the details pretty much in full:

When and how died: Seventh August 1894 at a shooting gallery kept by John Vaughan at the Crescent, Douglas.

Name and surname: Edwin Strickland (of Liverpool).

Age: About forty two years.

Rank or profession: In Liverpool deceased was a freight clerk. In Douglas an assistant in a shooting gallery.

Cause of death: accidentally shot by John Vaughan when the latter was firing off a rifle at the target in shooting gallery. Accidental death.

Further information: Certificate received from Samuel Harris coroner for the Douglas District, Marathon, Douglas, Isle of Man. Inquest held eighth August 1894.

When researching family history you are often saddened to discover just how difficult life was for some of your ancestors. His wife, Violet (nee Prentice) seemed to have been left destitute following his death and was to be found in Walton Workhouse, Liverpool in the 1901 census. They had three children, William Prentice (my grandfather), Edith and Violet. I found William, aged 13, in lodgings in the city at that time.

I assume Edwin went to the Isle of Man to get work and I would be grateful if anyone could throw anymore light on his death through the inquest details or local newspaper reports. Would I be right in thinking that the shooting gallery would be part of a fairground?

As always your assistance is very much appreciated.