Genealogy Chat

My mum had a still birth at 27 weeks. She told me a couple of months ago that she and dad paid for a funeral for the baby, but she doesn't know where she is buried. The baby was born at Hanley Road Hospital, Islington, which is no longer there. Is there anyway I could find out where my sister is buried? AL

Does your mother remember the name of the Undertakers? there is chance that the firm may still exist and they may have records

Hi Kris She really doesn't talk about it much - she gets upset, so I never instigate the conversation. I could kick myself that I didn't ask more when she was talking about it. I may just have to wait until she talks about it again if I can't find anything out myself. All I know is that she was born a few years before me and was very disabled. I wonder if she was a victim of thalidomide, as the timing would be right, but it's just a guess. My elder brother and sister never talk about it either and I just don't feel comfortable raising the subject with them. I never knew about her until I was about 20 - she's just never spoken about, which I think is a shame. aL

Hi, I think you'll find that the hospital have a plot for still birth babies, probably in a cemetary nearby, as the hospital no longer exists,maybe your local health authority would help. If your mother organised it herself, it would probably be a local undertaker, and a local cemetary to were she lived a the time, maybe check these out. Thats the roads I would go down. Best of luck. Jackie PS There is a register of stillbirths, not too sure how it works, but if you trace the certificate this may help.

Thanks Jacqueline. I'll try those routes. AL

This is from the GRO's website: Due to the sensitive nature of stillbirth registrations, the procedure for ordering a certificate of the entry differs from other types of certificates. We will only send out the application form after we have been contacted by phone or in writing by the mother or father (if he is named on the certificate). In cases where the parents are deceased, a brother or sister can apply if they can provide their parents’ dates of death. The cost of the certificate is £7. Phone +44 (0)845 603 7788 Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Or write to us at: General Register Office PO Box 2 Southport Merseyside PR8 2JD For Welsh speakers, a Welsh helpline service is available on +44 (0) 151 471 4575. Written enquiries in Welsh should be sent to: Y Swyddfa Gofrestru Gyffredinol Blwch Post 118 Smedley Hydro Trafalgar Road Southport PR8 2GQ

Thanks Andrew. Looks like if I have to go via this route it will have to be mum that initiates it. For all I know she holds a copy of the Certificate, I'll have to wait until she mentions her again. AL

You could try contacting the nearest cemetery to the hopital? Jay

I'll try that Janet. Would my parents have named the baby or would it be in my parents names? AL

Hi AL, There is a lady who specialises in still births and can do lookups. (don't know full details) If you type 'stillbirths' into the searchbox you may find it. tom

Thanks Tom.

it depends on the year of the still birth...But sadly most babys were put in joint graves.. It was common practice when a baby was stillborn, to ask the family of a person being buried that day for permission to bury the baby in the same plot... It would have been a cemetry local to the hospital, if the hospital is now closed the records might have gone to the next nearest hospital..its worth a try... The fact that your parents paid for the burial doesnt always mean the baby had its own plot unfortunatly... I would try the cemetry records first.. Good luck! LOU XXX

Thanks Lou. Mum did say that the funeral they had to pay for was expensive for the time, so maybe there was a separate plot?? AL

Could be...Fingers crossed...My dad paid a couple of quid in the 1970's, they told him they would be burried...After searching for a very long time we discovered they were together, thank god she had twins, it was the only reason they wernt put in someone elses grave...We might never have found them...Incidently, they are in a childrens section of an old graveyard, which has now been converted into a childrens animal farm - couldnt be more perfect for one of 'mine' !! Sadly we dont know the exact plot...Still, better knowing where abouts they are! Good luck with yours, it's sounds promising! LOU XX

I hope to find her. I thought about her so much since I found out about her - probably because there's such a big age gap between me and my brother and sister (11 and 9 years). I say a little prayer and talk to her every night before I go to sleep. When I see a pshycic they always mention her and say that she's with me, guiding me. Would just like to give her something back - even if it's just some flowers. AL