I've been hanging out on some genealogy forums recently, with a lot of people who are finding it very difficult to find their relatives' graves. And not just the burial spot itself, but even the cemetery in which they're buried. Here are a few tips if you're trying to find a grave yourself.
- Cemeteries change names. This is the biggest cause of confusion. Nineteenth-century cemeteries are often named after the Burial Board which owned them; twentieth-century ones frequently after the London borough which managed them, and later, after the area in which they were situated. That means that cemeteries change names frequently.
- Cemeteries share names. There are two "Hanwell Cemeteries", two "Paddington Cemeteries", several pairs of "Old" and "New" cemeteries... Check the burial date against the opening date of cemeteries to narrow it down.
- Cemeteries have different names at the same time. Locals will frequently refer to [name of road] Cemetery, which isn't and never has been its official name. Check the map!
- Parish cemeteries may be out of town. For example, residents of Islington are probably buried in "Islington Cemetery"... which is in East Finchley, nowhere near Islington.
- Religion makes a difference. "Dissenters" - that is, Christians who didn't acknowledge the primacy of the Church of England - had their own cemeteries: probably Bunhill Fields until 1854; Abney Park from 1840. Christian denomination seems to have stopped being so problematic in the twentieth century.
- The Jewish and Catholic communities had their own cemeteries. If you share the same faith as your ancestor, you probably know this - but if your family line changed or abandoned its faith, you may find your remoter relatives in a "specialist" cemetery.
- Family still matters. Later in the twentieth century, many cemeteries have specific sections for the Chinese, Greek and Muslim communities, and other groups which are strongly represented in a particular part of town. Your family may well have chosen a cemetery further from their home in order to have a grave in one of these. Bahai people are probably in Southgate Cemetery. (Apologies to the national and religious groups I've left out; leave us a comment and tell us where your community likes to bury its dead, or scatter their ashes.)
- Burial records don't necessarily exist. Deaths are a matter of public record. Burials and cremations are not. Many sets of burial records seem to have been lost during transfers of ownership of burial grounds. Others, happily, are being put online at Deceased Online, the central database for UK burials and cremations.
- Don't expect a gravestone.I'm throwing this in here because of the number of people I've spoken to who've been devastated that their ancestor had no marker, or a marker that once existed has gone. Your relative may have been buried in a common grave; a stone that once existed may have been removed for safety (or grave reuse) purposes by the cemetery; there may never have been a stone in the first place (they're very expensive!). Before you go look, try to think that you're looking at the place itself, not solely an inscription on a stone.
If you're stuck tracking down a burial site, leave a comment with as much information as you have, and I'll do my best to help.
I am trying to find Rose Symes, born in Poplar in May 1929, died in February 1931 aged 21 months. It is likely she would have been buried in either St Matthias Church (now community centre), Tower Hamlets cemetery or East London cemetery. How do I get access to cemetery burial records? I'd be very grateful for any advice you can give. Thank you. Julie Symes
My kids help some around the house. Oldest son sweeps kitchen floor each night, my twins like to do a variety of things- help with garbage, help with cleaning up and with adding inrgedients while cooking!.
October 30, 2012 11:19 pm by I'm really enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It's a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Fantastic work!
O artigo “Manual da eleição americana” está em primeiro lugar no ranking do Google para esta frase-chave, ranking que tem 426.000 entradas.O artigo foi republicado por pelo menos dois outros sites e ocupa os quatro primeiros lugares na primeira página do Google.[]
I am trying to find where Elizabeth Emily Eliza Johnson is buried.
She was born Elizabeth Emily Eliza Saunderson, married John Hobbs (who died) and later married William Johnson. She was listed as "Lily" Johnson on her mother's death record in 1918.
Birth: 27 DECEMBER 1884 • Saint Olave, Southwark, Rotherhithe, Surrey, England
Death: 15 SEPTEMBER 1933 • #5 Brunswick Square, Camberwell, London, England
I have searched multiple sites, but cannot find any record of her burial or cremation under any of a number of name combinations.
My relative also died in 1933 in East Barnet Vale, and I can't find a record of burial. Did you have any helpful replies?
my grandma ada ellen meech also died at 5 brunswick sq in 1933
this relates to a hospital at that address also cannot find her resting place were you successfull in locating elizabeth johnson ?
Im trying to find out the whereabouts of two family members killed during the blitz in World War 2. Arthur Chandler Aged 14 yrs and his mother Agnes Chandler. Killed on 20th March 1941. I'm given to understand they were buried in Manor Park cemetary but can find no trace. I understand a block of flats now occupies the burial site of these two graves, surely they were relocated!!!!! any info would be gratefully received.
Thank you Diane
Francis Giveen died May 13 1930 Port Meadow, Oxford. Son of Henry Mrtley Giveen-does anyone know where he may be buried
I am interested in Francis Giveen's patents so would like to make contact with Mark Hughes.
Hi just email me and we can discuss. What is your interest in Giveen pls?
Mark
hughesmgolf6@gmail.com
Hi Roger, just email me we can discuss further. Mark
hughesmgolf6@gmail.com
I have found the grave of Francis Giveen A2 16
Hi, my Great Nan past away on 23rd July 1938. Gladys Bertha Leigh. She died at Mile end hospital. She lived in Braintree street. I was told her grave was moved for redevelopment . My Nan said she had no idea where her mum had gone to. I can not find any records on her at all. So at a stand still. Does anyone know of any cemeteries that have been redeveloped in the Bethnal Green area in the 40s,50s or 60s?
My granddaughter' is trying to trace her great grandfather a William James O'Neill born 1918 in Poplar died in ,1941 in Darenth hospital .his child was just eight months so has NO memory of him apart from being taken to lay flowers on s grave by going across Woolwich Ferry and not traveling to far from the ferry .We have tried with out success .We think due to the regeneration of the area it might have been dug up .but my grand daughter would love to know as her father also died when she was eight months old so had know idea of her roots and this grave she would love to find .So please can any one help
for a friend. trying to find grave .in London. re esther mary Clarke/ betbeder. 1847/1908.and paul m betbeder/ 1877/1909.
Evening, I'm trying to trace a great grandfather - born approx 1855 (census points to Walworth although no evidence found) - he died in 1941 in St olaves hospital in Rotherhithe. Where would Samuel Leonard likely be buried? Many thanks. Corrall
ada ellen meech nee Santon)born 13th june 1833 lambeth
died 15th may 1933 5 brunswick square camberwell
married to william thomas meech 1869-1936
unable to find ada's or william's burial /cremation places
I have a Islington lady who died in 1955 not buried at Islington cemetery - where would she be ?
Hi everyone, it's myy first go to see at this website,and piece of writing is really
fruitfjl designed for me, keep up posting these types of articles orr reviews.
I have been searching for the cemetery records of the Inlander family, Henry, Rudolf and Elly. They are buried together but none of the records on JewishGen or Find a Grave show anything in the Greater London area. I am wondering if I am missing something or need another bit of information to deepen the search. Many thanks.
I am trying to locate the cemetery that some relatives are buried in. I have a photograph of the grave but the graveyard is not identified.The principal person was Robert James Steele who died on 14 August 1905. He was a leading light in the Presbyterian Church and lived in the Shepherds bush for a number of years. I can forward the photograph if anyone thinks they can help identify the cemetery.
Re. Robert Steele - There's a long report of his funeral in the Belfast Weekly News of 24 August 1905, which says he was buried 'in the family burying-ground, Paddington Cemetery, on the 17th inst.'
Thanks Jane C.
What an absolute star you are!
Thanks for the detective work.
I am trying to find the grave of my Great Grandmother who, according to the records of the hospital where she died in March 1941, is buried in Hampstead Cemetery. However she doesn't appear on their online records for the time. She was Roman Catholic and I wondered if that might have a bearing on the area in the cemetery where she was buried - particularly as she was an Italian who died during the Blitz and would probably have been treated as an alien. I have looked at both the consecrated and general burial records. I would be grateful for any advice. Many thanks, Carolyn Earl