Wigan Album

photos of gravestones - whatever next?

In the past, I have offered to take a photo of graves, of descendants of people, who don't live near Wigan. I think for anyone researching their family trees, It must be very satisfying to see the last resting places of their family members. Now that the cemetery records, for the main Wigan cemeteries, are on the site. It makes it easier to locate the plot numbers

You're right, Ron, that Freda Chorlton's work (on line, and available through 'Stuff' on this site), giving the grave reference for each burial, together with the Council's cemetery plans which are also on line, make finding the rough area of a grave's location much easier. However, the gravediggers, and presumably, the Cemetery Office, also have more detailed plans which show the exact location of each grave, with its number, and the family name (usually the first interred therein) written in each space. Most graves do not have their reference number on, so locating a grave when that number is all you have, can be painstaking, especially if there is no headstone. We could do with having these more detailed plans on line too. As I get a steady stream of people coming to my door seeking help in locating a grave in the Cemeteries in Lower Ince, I know this would be a very useful facility to have.

I think that is smashing for Sheryl B. She must be delighted to have them, having been in the same position myself - it's more than a photograph, it is a treasure. For others to view - it is a sharing for every one of us to acknowledge those who were around at the same time as our own, we stand on all their shoulders. It is social history -the styles of headstone can tell a silent story of social and economic times and funerary 'language' (after all, it was their version of their aspirations - instead of a swank family car it was a private plot and masonry). Excellent idea Ron, you could also include if desired, war memorials or with permission of a minister - that old baptismal font.
She will have been pleased as punch to get that in her hands, I understand the feeling and it's precious.

Whats wrong with a photo of a grave stone, there is a lot worse ! Any how this is great for families searching trees, data and a headstone can provide a wealth of information and not expensive unlike the register offices now cashing in on the family tree boom!
Interesting the stone mason looks to have made a mistake with the name and chiseled out a deeper grove to put in the name Ann.
Old head stones, in cemeteries are an art and a awe thinging that some of the huge stones where taken by horse power, not like some of the rigid rules and regulations of drap head stone being enforced now.

Take All Saints hindley - This was a "museum" of tombs and headstones, now the "laws" enforce their design and type of stone, what happened to personal choice even in death!
Great work, especially for us that have moved on to pastures new from wigan!

Jack... Too bad it wasnt a mass burial in an unmarked grave. More to your liking?

I was researching my family trees and only found out that my Great Grandparents were buried in Ince Cemetery four years ago through someone putting the evidence on file through "Cemeteries". On the day that I found their grave, I stood there and cried. The picture of the grave that I have has been allocated to all my family as they are all over the place and they were very moved the same way I was. So THANK YOU for the information that is on WW.

I wonder if they originally wrote "ANNE", and if so, why they just didnt chisel out the "E". From my research, I know she was known only as "Cissie" for many years to family and others. She and husband Herbert "Bert" Lewis raised young John on the Limes with Lewis family. He was Nellie Lewis' (Berts sister) illegitimate child, and he died at 15 of diabetes. I have a letter from his grandmother (Kate Lewis) to relatives in Australia notifying them of John's death. Cissie and Bert had no children of their own.

Sheryl, never realised how much interest this would cause when I took the photographs. I have one more to take, could not find the grave last time but have been advised where to locate it now. Will email you soon - this one is of your grandfather's brother William. I have also got a photo of him which I shall email you.

Is it possible to add the photo`s to my husband`s family tree please?.It is private on Ancestry.
Many thanks
Kate

Feel free. Im not sure how to