Genealogy Chat

Hello Everyone I had 13 aunt's and uncle's but only met two of them. Sadly none of them are alive now, also I never knew my Grandmother's or Grandfather's and have had no contact with my cousin's for year's. However I do have an idea were some of my relation's are buried, which comes to my question. Is it possible to go to the cemetry office and obtain any detail's of my family's grave's and date of death etc, would they release these detail's to me. Thank You Len

Hi i did that at my local cemetry records office, found where my g granddad was burried

I went to the cemetery where my family came from originally armed with some names and approximate dates the bloke in the office looked them all up plus more rellies that i didn’t no about he gave me date of death date they were burried the plot number and location place of death and the address at time of death who they were buried with and if their was any room left in the grave for any more rellies. Roy

Leonard, Our local cemetery is very good the man who works there will look up details for you also give you the plot No's. But some places do have a small charge for the look ups. Sue

I phoned the vicar at the church where my ggggrandmother is supposed to be buried (according to my late grandmother), he was really helpful, said that he would look through the ancient records he had & get back to me. He did 3wks later unfortunately she wasn't buried at that church after all, lol!

Hello Everyone Thank you to all of you for your advice, I will ring the Cemetry office today I was a bit worried they might think I am a pain and it would be to much trouble for them to look at the record's. Anyway as I say I will phone them. Thank you Len

If the Cemetery is in Lancashire, check out cemsearch.co.uk They charge 6.00GBP for a full report on all graves with the surname that you give them in whichever cemetery you choose - including variations of the same name (e.g if you ask for Cook, they will also give you Cooke). The report states who is in each grave, relationship to head of family, dates etc. They do not however give the exact transcription from the headstone (e.g Harry Smith, dearly beloved husband of Mary Smith etc). Cemsearch are a brilliant firm and I use them time and time again. They will also undertake research in the local area for a small charge - which is very reasonable.

Good morning to you Moira and Andrea. Thank you for your advice I have been in touch with the cemetry where I believe some of my relative's may be buried. They told me to ring the Civic office's where they also have record's of burial's. They told me I can go along and they can help me with my search, I can also use the canteen so it seem's it is better than sitting in a cemetry office. One thing that amazed me is that they said some relative's may have been cremated as far back as 1935, I did not know cremation was taking place that far back and thought it started in the late 1950s to early 60s, I have learnt something new. Thank you both again. Len

The Richmond and Twickenham area have their burial records on line so that makes things even easier. Try www2(.)richmond.gov(.)uk/burials/regenq.asp Best wishes Jack

I have found that different councils charge vastly different rates for looking up burial records ranging from £12 to £25 so far

With regards to Cremation it was lawful in the UK but believed to be illeagle prior to the Cremation Act 1902. The Cremation Act 1902 set out guidelines for the cremation of human remains. This act was brought about because of the actions of Dr William Price who at the age od 83, cremated his illigitamate son Iesu Grist Price (Jesus Christ Price) in January 1884. Dr Price was also cremated upon his death 9 years later.

Leonard, Hope you have been successful by now. Cemeteries vary in their attitudes, and indeed what records they have. Macclesfield, Cheshire, have been brilliant, sent them a list and they reply within days, free of charge. High Peak Borough Council also good, but if you've more than a few, there is a charge, though I visited their office and they decked me out with all the burial records, and access to their computer, all free of charge. I was told that, by law (Freedom of Information Act), they must allow you access to records, though that doesn't mean free of charge. Many now have a person dedicated to family history. Hope you are successful. Margaret

I forgot to add that some have a record of who bought the grave - it might be another member of the family to add to your list. Margaret