Genealogy Chat

to the 100th 'anniversary' of my Grandmother's first husband's death. Where he's buried, though, nobody knows. Apparently, he's not in his 'hometown', not in the area that he lived and not where he died. Anyone have any ideas where he may be? M. Steer

Well, you would need to give us a name! Jay

Could he have been buried at sea?

Oops!.. Alfred Summerton (Somerton) Born May 1874, Milcombe, Oxfordshire. Married 1900, Darfield, Yorkshire. Died December 1906, Brompton (Kensington) London. Last known address Barnsbury (Islington) London. None of the relevant Cemeteries/Councils have any record of his burial. For information the date on his Death Cetificate has been changed from 1905 to 1906. I still haven't been able to find out why. It may or may not have a bearing. M. Steer

Have you checked London crematoria records? Cause of death natural causes or accidental? Could there have been an inquest hence the ammended date? Jay

Teresa, I don't think so, he had no connection with the Sea. He died of consumption in Brompton Hospital. I'm prepared to explore all possibilities though. Thanks, M. Steer

If the date of death was at the end of December then maybe the death was not recorded until the New Year of the following year. Surely the cause of death written on the certificate will give you some guidance as to how he died and whether or not he died at sea? It is quite possible for a person to die in one area and then be transported back to a 'home adress' elsewhere. I have one that died in Torquay and was transported back to his home town in Northants in 1874. Have you tried all the cemeteries in the area he died, as well as those cemeteries in the area he came from? Just seen your answer above. The one I had also died of Consumption in Torquay so it may well be worth considering where else he may have been buried Besides Brompton. Janet

Where was his widow living at the time of the death? Could it have been just outside London? I am thinking along the lines of his remains being transported elsewhere for burial - somewhere like Brookwood? Brookwood is now privately owned and they keep the records - expensive to search too, I understand - but perhaps someone from the London area can suggest similar burial grounds, which would be outside the jurisdiction of London boroughs. Jay

Jay, His death was registered on 25th December 1906 (or maybe 05). His widow was living in Barnsbury (Islington). She was 26 yrs.of age with 3 children and 'working class' (i.e. no money). I don't think she would have been able to afford to 'send him very far'. Thanks, M.Steer

Death recorded Dec Q 1906 Summerton, Alfred age 31 Kensington 1a 135

Janet, Thankyou for the info., - don't mean to seem ungrateful but I have a copy of his Death Cert. I know when, where and how he died, I just can't find where he's buried. Thanks. M. Steer.

Sorry, its just that you didn't know if it was 1905 or '06. I guess there wouldn't have been a family plot for him and buying a plot would have been beyond their means. He could have been put in a communal grave. I wonder if you could find anything to help here http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=28720 There seems to be info about the hospitals and burial grounds in the area. I think you are very brave trying to find where your ancestors were laid to rest, I have only found a handful of mine in 7 years.

Not absolutely sure of my facts, but if he died of consumption, in a hospital, then they may have offered/insisted on cremation? OC

Janet, please don't apologise, His Death Certificate is dated 1906 but it has obviously been altered, perhaps the Registrar made an error (it was Christmas Day). O.C., I too thought he may have been cremated but even so, there should still be a record of it, shouldn't there? Thankyou both for your replies. M. Steer