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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Essex => Topic started by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 09:17 BST (UK)

Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 09:17 BST (UK)
A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




Click on any of the blue underlined hyperlinks in the guide to view the information you are interested in.




ENGLAND JURISDICTIONS FOR 1851 (http://maps.familysearch.org/) is a map of the counties of England produced by Family Search. The map shows various levels of county division including parish and civil registration districts. The parish map shows all the ecclesiastical parishes in the historic county of Essex (Anglican Church parishes).


Civil registration commenced on 1st July 1837. Over the years with the growth and movement of the population the civil registration districts have altered. REGISTRATION DISTRICTS IN ESSEX (http://www.ukbmd.org.uk/genuki/reg/ess.htm) on the Genuki website tracks the changes made up to 31st March 1974 and also has a downloadable place name index which includes the registration district each was registered in.




CHURCH BURIAL REGISTERS



GENUKI (http://www.nivek-systems.co.uk/genuki/ESS/Church/index.html) has a list of Essex churches which includes Anglican and non-conformist churches by place and by name of church. FAMILY SEARCH (https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Essex_Parishes) has information on each Anglican church and parish.



ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/GetPage.asp?ID=34) (SEAX is the record office  online catalogue) holds monumental inscriptions and the deposited church registers for most of historic Essex excluding parishes in the now London borough of Waltham Forest. Information on and actual digital online images for Anglican parish registers and non-conformist registers, those not conforming to the established church – the Church of England  can be found on the Essex Record Office website ESSEX ANCESTORS (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/EssexAncestors.aspx). There is a subscription charge to view the images of the pages from the church registers. Essex Ancestors has no name indexes.

LOCAL LIBRARIES (http://www.essex.gov.uk/Libraries-Archives/Record-Office/Visiting-Essex-Record-Office/Pages/Archive-Access-Points.aspx) (Colchester, Harlow, Saffron Waldron and Southend-on-Sea) also hold microfilm copies of parish registers for parishes in their immediate area. A list of all ESSEX LIBRARIES (http://microsites.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries/findalibrary/start.asp)



The Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons, has many family history centres around the world. You can order and use their microfilms for a small charge. A list of their CENTRES (http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhc/frameset_fhc.asp) It is worth checking their catalogue to see which parish and cemetery registers they hold on microfilm in their FILM CATALOGUE (http://www.familysearch.org/eng/Library/FHLC/frameset_fhlc.asp)

FAMILY SEARCH (https://wiki.familysearch.org/en/England_Deaths_and_Burials_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records)) England Deaths and Burials 1538-1991 is a free index from the LDS which includes information about the records and sources.
ESSEX PARISH REGISTERS (https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/England_Essex_Church_of_England_Parish_Registers_and_Bishops%E2%80%99_Transcripts_%28FamilySearch_Historical_Records%29) 1538-1900 a free index from the LDS including information about the records.




The National Burial Index 3 (NBI) CD was released March 2010 and covers 295 burial grounds in Essex. See the FEDERATION OF FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETIES (http://www.ffhs.org.uk/projects/nbi/nbi-coverage.php) website for coverage. Some of the indexes from the NBI are also on FINDMY PAST (http://www.findmypast.co.uk/home.jsp) though not all Family History Societies have allowed their indexes from the NBI to be transferred to this website. Findmypast also has some monumental inscriptions for Essex.



Essex Family History Society has published transcripts of church registers and offer searches in their burial index and for transcriptions of monumental inscriptions. The BURIAL INDEX (http://www.esfh.org.uk/Church_Records/Essex_Burials_Index.htm) (1537-2000 mainly Anglican parishes) MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION (http://www.esfh.org.uk/Church_Records/Essex_MIs.htm) search and CDS (http://www.esfh.org.uk/CDs-by-Post/CD_MI.htm) published by the society PARISH REGISTER PUBLICATIONS (http://www.esfh.org.uk/CDs-by-Post/CD_par_regs.htm) and PARISH COVERAGE (http://www.esfh.org.uk/Church_Records/List/Fullpage.htm)



Information on the privately held ESSEX BURIAL INDEX 1813-1865 (http://www.sturnidae.com/Essex/Burials.htm)


ESSEX ONLINE PARISH CLERKS have some parish burials and monumental inscriptions indexed
Moderator comment: link broken



FREEREG (http://www.freereg.org.uk/parishes/ess/frontpage.shtml) where volunteers transcribe registers and place them online.




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 09:40 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




INDIVIDUAL VILLAGE PARISH BURIALS ONLINE



If anyone knows of any others please send me a pm



BOCKING (http://www.archive.org/details/firstregisterofs00sain) 1558-1628 online transcription first published in 1903


CASTLE HEDINGHAM (http://www.castlehedingham.org/parishrecords/index.html) 1698-1846 in downloadable Excel databases


COGGLESHALL (http://www.coggeshallmuseum.org.uk/familyresearchers1.htm) 1811-1979


EARLS COLNE (http://linux02.lib.cam.ac.uk/earlscolne/burial/index.htm) 1559-1854


KELVEDON HATCH (http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/kelvedonhatch/burials_1813_1897.html) 1837-1897 and MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS (http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/kelvedonhatch/monuments.html) transcribed at History House.


ONGAR (http://www.archive.org/details/parishregisterso00onga) 1558-1750 online transcription first published in 1886


PENTLOW (http://www.foxearth.org.uk/PentlowBurials.html) 1539-1852 transcribed by The Foxearth and District Local History Society


RADWINTER (http://www.radwinterhistory.org.uk/radwinter/radwinterlocalhistorycontents.html) 1813-1958 and interment of ashes 1974-1991 and a link to a pdf file for a handwritten transcription (indexed) for the registers 1638-1812
 

TOPPESFIELD (http://www.archive.org/details/registerofbaptis00barn) 1560-1641 online transcription first published in 1905


A growing collection of BURIALS (http://helvissa.com/parishrecords/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=55) for Great Bromley and St Osyth





MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS ONLINE



SOUTH BENFLEET (http://www.stmarybenfleet.co.uk/graves.htm) and the CONTACT (http://www.stmarybenfleet.co.uk/) page


BOBBINGTON (http://www.archive.org/details/sepulchralmemori00bobb) online transcription first published in 1888


LANGFORD (http://www.stgileslangford.org.uk/Burials_in_Langford.pdf)


TACKLEY (http://tlhs.org.uk/Holy%20Trinity%20Memorial%20Inscriptions.htm) a downloadable Excel database produced by Tackley Local History Society





LOOK UPS OFFERED

NOAK HILL (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,387766.0.html) burials 1841-1920 and monumental inscriptions




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 10:03 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




LONDON BOROUGH CHURCH REGISTERS


The areas within five Greater London boroughs were formerly part of the historic county of Essex until 1965.


The five Greater London boroughs are


BARKING AND DAGENHAM

HAVERING

NEWHAM

REDBRIDGE

WALTHAM FOREST


A useful map of THE LONDON BOROUGHS (http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/londonfacts/londonlocalgovernment/londonmapandlinks/default.htm)


These boroughs cover the parishes of Aldborough, Barking, Barkingside, Becontree, Canning Town, Chadwell Heath, Chigwell, Cranham, Dagenham, East Ham, Forest Gate, Goodmayes, Havering-atte-Bower, Hornchurch, Ilford, Little Ilford, Noak Hill, North Ockenden, North Woolwich (part), Plaistow, Rainham, Romford, Seven Kings, Stratford, Upminster, Upton Park, Victoria Dock, Wanstead, Wennington, West Ham and Woodford.

More detail on each PARISH (http://www.eolfhs.org.uk/area/parishes/) from the East of London Family History Society



The London Digitalisation Programme (on Ancestry a subscription website) aims to index parish registers and will help enormously in finding burials in church registers, but not unfortunately with most cemetery registers or Essex parishes which became part of Greater London since 1965. The London Digitalisation Programme at present only covers parish registers or Bishop Transcripts deposited at the London Metropolitan Archives or the Guildhall Library. Registers deposited at Essex Record Office or the London borough of Waltham Forest Archives are not included.




THE LONDON BOROUGH ARCHIVES


Some London borough archives may have produced transcriptions and indexes of the parish registers and monumental inscriptions in their areas.



BARKING AND DAGENHAM LOCAL STUDIES CENTRE (http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/MuseumsAndHeritage/BoroughArchivesandLocalStudies/Pages/home.aspx)


HAVERING LOCAL STUDIES AND FAMILY HISTORY CENTRE (http://www.havering.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3427)


NEWHAM ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY (http://www.newham.gov.uk/EntertainmentandLeisure/Libraries/LibraryDetails/NewhamArchivesandLocalStudiesLibrary.htm)


REDBRIDGE INFORMATION AND HERITAGE SERVICE (http://www2.redbridge.gov.uk/cms/leisure_and_libraries/libraries/your_local_library/redbridge_central_library/information_and_heritage.aspx)


WALTHAM FOREST ARCHIVES AND LOCAL STUDIES LIBRARY (http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Archives-general-information.aspx)




EAST OF LONDON FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY (http://www.eolfhs.org.uk/area/parishes/) covers the area of East London and the parishes of Essex which became part of Greater London in 1965. The Society has useful information on where the parish registers in its area are deposited. The society's PUBLICATIONS (http://www.genfair.co.uk/product_list.php?sid=224&page=69213)


WALTHAM FOREST FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY (http://www.wffhs.org.uk/about.php) has some monumental inscription projects that are on going



Information about London churchyards and burial grounds by geographic region and parish is given at this website THE LONDON BURIAL GROUNDS (http://www.londonburials.co.uk/) which has further notes and modern photographs (but not of individual gravestones).




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 10:07 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




NON-CONFORMIST BURIAL REGISTERS NOT HELD AT ESSEX RECORD OFFICE



At the start of civil registration the government reached an agreement with most non-conformist churches. If the churches deposited their registers, in return they would be recognised as legal documents. Most churches except the Catholics deposited their records, with the Quakers (the Society of Friends) first making copies. The deposited non-conformist records are held in series RG4 (Registrar General) at The National Archives. A second smaller deposit of records was made in 1855. These records are held in series RG8. This explains why many earlier non-conformist records are held at The National Archives with only microfilmed copies of Essex non-conformist registers at Essex Record Office. Most of these records have been indexed on the IGI (International Genealogical Index/Family Search) the index created by the Church of the Latter Day Saints. The registers not indexed on the IGI, were the burials and the Quaker records. Indexes and the images for all the registers are now online at BMD REGISTERS (http://www.bmdregisters.co.uk/) and THE GENEALOGIST (http://www.thegenealogist.co.uk/)
The full list of church registers and separate non-conformist burial grounds held at THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Collection/Display?uri=C13329) in RG4 and RG8
The National Archives GUIDE (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/nonconformists.htm) to nonconformist records.


THE CATHOLIC NATIONAL LIBRARY (http://www.catholic-library.org.uk/registers.html) at Farnborough Abbey holds some listed transcripts of burial registers. THE CATHOLIC FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY (http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/cfhs/) and BRENTWOOD DIOCESAN ARCHIVES (http://dioceseofbrentwood.net/servicesandsupport/archives/Default.aspx) maybe able to help locate records, which for Catholic churches may often remain with the church. Essex Record Office holds deposited Catholic church registers which you can search for on SEAX (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/displayParishContents.asp).
The National Archives guide to CATHOLIC (http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/catholics.htm) records. 



THE INTERNATIONAL JEWISH CEMETERY PROJECT (http://www.iajgsjewishcemeteryproject.org/british-isles/index.html) gives detailed information about Jewish cemeteries and where each cemetery’s records can be found. CEMETERY SCRIBES (http://www.cemeteryscribes.com/cemeteries.php) have photographs of headstone inscriptions from Jewish cemeteries. An online database for RAINHAM JEWISH CEMETERY (http://www.jewishgen.org/JCR-uk/London.htm) 1930-1946. Further information and contact addresses for tracing JEWISH BURIALS (http://www.movinghere.org.uk/galleries/roots/jewish/religiousrecords/burials.htm#) 





OTHER USEFUL WEBSITES (for both churchyards and cemeteries)



A small number of gravestones in churchyards and cemeteries within Essex have been photographed and indexed on GRAVESTONE PHOTOGRAPHIC RESOURCE
 (http://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/area.php?area=Essex&country=En)

There are a few transcriptions of some indexed monumental inscriptions in Essex at INTERMENT (http://www.interment.net/uk/eng/essex.htm)


Find a Grave coverage for ESSEX (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=5&CSst=4218) and GREATER LONDON (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=csr&CScn=&CScntry=5&CSst=4220) for the areas of Essex that became part of London in 1965. 

 




COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION (http://www.cwgc.org/) has an online database for those who died in the two World Wars some of whom have gravestones in the country.
THE WAR GRAVES PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT (http://twgpp.org/) works in association with the CWGC photographing gravestones.


LEST WE FORGET (http://www.roll-of-honour.com/Essex/) also has photographs and transcriptions of Essex war memorials.




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 10:16 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




CIVIC CEMETERIES



Every inhabitant of a parish had a right to be buried in their parish churchyard or burial ground. Before the 1840s most people were buried in Anglican churchyards, though some non-conformist churches had their own burial grounds. By the 1840s city churchyards and burial grounds were so overcrowded they were considered a growing health risk and were increasingly closed to new burials. As the population grew throughout the nineteenth century more large non-denominational civic cemeteries were created and churchyards in towns and urban areas were closed to new burials. Throughout the twentieth and twenty first centuries further civic cemeteries were opened administered by local parish councils in less urbanised areas of Essex.


Many churchyards in rural areas throughout Essex still remain open to burials .Other churches where burials have ceased in their churchyards, still continued to maintain registers of burial services where the service is held at the church with the interment taking place at the cemetery, though this is not always clearly stated in the registers themselves. Increasingly in urban areas most services were held at the cemetery chapels.  Records for civic cemeteries interments are held by borough, district, town or parish councils or by the private companies which manage these cemeteries.


A useful timeline on the HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF CEMETERIES IN ENGLAND (http://beckettstreetcemetery.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21&Itemid=1) explains the context in which cemeteries and later crematoriums developed in this country.


With the closing of churchyards in urban areas many families could not afford the expense of a cemetery plot, let alone a gravestone. Such burials would be in common graves which contained other unrelated interments. Burial in a common grave was not synonymous with a pauper funeral. It did not mean the funeral itself was not paid for by the family. TYPES OF GRAVES IN THE CEMETERY (http://beckettstreetcemetery.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=14&Itemid=1), though not from a cemetery in Essex, is very helpful in explaining the difference between the possible types of common, pauper and private graves.


Cemetery burial registers usually give the name of the deceased, age, abode and occupation, the date of death and of burial, and the position of the grave. These records are arranged chronologically, and are not indexed alphabetically, though some cemeteries may have some computerised indexes. If a private grave was purchased those records indicate who purchased the plot, their address, when it was purchased and whether a gravestone was erected (though not whether it survives). The records will also indicate who else was buried in the plot, when and at what depths. The plot number indicates where in the cemetery the grave is located, essential knowledge when trying to find a grave in a large cemetery.


Cremations became increasingly common after the Second World War when more crematoriums were opened. Cemeteries with crematoriums keep separate burial and cremation registers. Not all borough and district councils have crematoriums. A search for a cremation may require a wider search which could include adjacent counties.





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 10:49 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




CIVIC CEMETERIES



LOCAL AUTHORITY ADMINISTRATION IN MODERN ESSEX



Present day Essex has three tiers of administration, the County Council which is responsible for services across the whole county. The second tier of administration is the twelve District and Borough Councils who are responsible for the main services within their own areas. The twelve Essex district and borough councils are


BASILDON BOROUGH

BRAINTREE DISTRICT
 
BRENTWOOD BOROUGH
 
CASTLE POINT BOROUGH

CHELMSFORD BOROUGH

COLCHESTER BOROUGH

EPPING FOREST DISTRICT

HARLOW DISTRICT

MALDON DISTRICT

ROCHFORD DISTRICT

TENDRING DISTRICT

UTTLESFORD DISTRICT


The third tier of administration and most local is the town and parish councils.  Some of these councils maintain their own cemeteries and may help to maintain their local churchyard. The records of burials in churchyards are found in the church registers. The records for burials or cremations in civic cemeteries are held by the district, town or parish councils.


A parish map of almost 300 parishes remaining in modern day Essex from the ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL (http://www.essex.gov.uk/Your-Council/Local-Government-Essex/Local%20Government%20Structure/Documents/Essex_Parishes_2010.pdf) website.
 

The Unitary Authorities of SOUTHEND-ON-SEA and THURROCK are now separately administered authorities and are no longer part of the county of Essex (since 1998, though in the case of Southend-on Sea it was also exempt from country council control between 1914-1973).



The British Towns And Villages Network website is very useful in helping to navigate a map of modern day Essex, showing the TWELVE ESSEX DISTRICT AND BOROUGH COUNCILS (http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_2_display_ByL1.asp?GetL1=128) and the individual places within them and the separate Unitary Authorities of SOUTHEND-ON-SEA (http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_3_display.asp?GetL2=280) and THURROCK (http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_3_display.asp?GetL2=285) and the FIVE LONDON BOROUGHS (http://www.british-towns.net/en/level_2_display_ByL1.asp?GetL1=203) (BARKING AND DAGENHAM, HAVERING, NEWHAM, REDBRIDGE and WALTHAM FOREST) no longer part of Essex since 1965


Use the website FUNERAL MAP (http://www.funeralmap.co.uk/) to help with locating present day cemeteries and crematoriums in the area and then use this guide for further information and contact details for the local authority or company which manages them.




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 11:14 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




CIVIC CEMETERIES



The following is a list of civic cemeteries in each of the areas of the twelve current Essex Borough and District Councils, the two Unitary Authorities and the five Greater London boroughs that were formerly part of the historic county of Essex. The date of opening of each cemetery is given with a website contact where that can be found.


If anyone knows of any others please send me a pm




CEMETERIES IN MODERN DAY ESSEX BOROUGH AND DISTRICT COUNCILS




BASILDON BOROUGH COUNCIL (http://www.basildon.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2097)

Pitsea Old Cemetery, Brackendale Avenue, Pitsea SS13 (1910)

Wickford Cemetery, Park Drive, Wickford SS12 (1928)

Pitsea New Cemetery, Church Road, Pitsea SS13 (1947)

Great Burstead Cemetery, Church Street, Great Burstead CM11 (1971)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CREMATORIUM WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BASILDON

Basildon and District Crematorium Church Road, Bowers Gifford SS13 (1998) present owners the WESTERLEIGH GROUP (http://www.basildoncrem.co.uk/groupinfo.html)





BRAINTREE DISTRICT COUNCIL
 (http://www.braintree.gov.uk/info/200303/births_deaths_and_marriages/246/seaching_the_council_s_burial_registers)

Bocking Cemetery, Church Lane, Bocking CM7 (1857)

Braintree Cemetery, London Road, Braintree CM7 (1856)
ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) holds some monumental inscriptions for this cemetery and the Bishops Transcripts (for Anglican burials only) 1856-1860

Halstead Cemetery, Colchester Road, Halstead CO9 (1856)

Witham Cemetery, Manor Road, Witham CM8 (1935)



BURES HAMLET PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.bures-online.co.uk/ParishHamlet/hamlet.htm) Bures Cemetery, Cuckoo Hill, Bures St Mary CO8 (1872?)

The cemetery is managed by Bures Joint Cemetery Authority comprising of Bures Hamlet and Bures St Mary (Suffolk) Parish Councils. The earliest registers held by the Cemetery Authority begin in 1920. Earlier records are deposited with SUFFOLK RECORD OFFICE (http://www.suffolkheritagedirect.org.uk/)


CASTLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.castlehedingham.org/parishcouncil/)

Castle Hedingham Cemetery, Sheepcot Road, Castle Hedingham CO9 (1883)


COGGESHALL PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.coggeshall-pc.gov.uk/)

Coggeshall Burial Ground, Cemetery and Garden of Remembrance Church Street, Coggeshall CO6 (1856)
Burial registers 1856-1990 with ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) Transcribed copies of the registers are held by COGGESHALL MUSEUM (http://www.coggeshallmuseum.org.uk/familyresearchers1.htm) with an online alphabetical register of graves 1916-2010
The Register of Grave Spaces from 1916 remains with the Parish Council.



GREAT YELDHAM PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.greatyeldhampc.org/glades.html)

Great Yeldham Cemetery, Church Road, Great Yeldham CO9 (1974)

Yeldham Glades Burial Ground, Ridgewell Road, Great Yeldham CO9 (2007)


HATFIELD PEVEREL (http://www.hatfieldpeverel.org.uk/news_from_the_parish_council.htm) (Community website)

Hatfield Peverel Burial Ground, off Church Road, Hatfield Peverel CM3 (1955)


SIBLE HEDINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.siblehedinghampc.org.uk/page71/page71.html)

The Garden of Remembrance, (cremations only) Grays Hall Meadow, off Church Street, Sible Hedingham CO9 (1992)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CREMATORIUM WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BRAINTREE

Three Counties Crematorium, Halstead Road, High Garrett, Braintree, Essex, CM7 (2009) present owners MEMORIA LIMITED (http://www.memoria.org.uk/three_counties_crematorium.htm) and/or DIGNITY (http://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/crematoria/index.asp?pageid=20&fd=574) 





BRENTWOOD BOROUGH COUNCIL (http://www.brentwood.gov.uk/index.php?cid=410)

London Road Cemetery, London Road, Brentwood CM14 (1893)

Woodman Road Cemetery, Woodman Road, Brentwood CM14 (1927)

Lorne Road Cemetery, Lorne Road, Warley CM14 (1860)

ONLINE (http://maps.brentwood.gov.uk/bacas/RegEnq.asp) records search



DODDINGHURST PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.doddinghurst-pc.gov.uk/burial_ground.php)

Doddinghurst Lawn Cemetery, Church Lane, Doddinghurst CM15 (1973)
ONLINE (http://www.doddinghurst-pc.gov.uk/pdfs/burial_ground/FullBurialPlotsRecordofInterred.pdf) records search


INGATESTONE AND FRYERNING PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.ingatestone-fryerningpc.gov.uk/cemetery.htm)

Fryerning Cemetery, Blackmore Road, Fryerning CM4 (1902)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BRENTWOOD

Herongate Wood Cemetery, Billericay Road, Brentwood CM13 (2003) present owners ADAM AND GREENWOOD FUNERAL HOME (http://www.green-burial.co.uk/burialsites.asp)



ASYLUM CEMETERY WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF BRENTWOOD

Essex County Asylum (Warley Hospital) Cemetery, Pastoral Way, Brentwood CM14 (1856-1935)
Burial registers are held at ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp)






Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 11:47 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX






CIVIC CEMETERIES




CEMETERIES IN MODERN DAY ESSEX BOROUGH AND DISTRICT COUNCILS





CASTLE POINT BOROUGH COUNCIL  (http://www.castlepoint.gov.uk/main.cfm?type=3480)

South Benfleet Cemetery, Jotmans Lane, South Benfleet SS7 (1915)

Woodside Cemetery, Manor Road, Thundersley Benfleet SS7 (1966)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF CASTLE POINT
Northwick Road Cemetery, Northwick Road, Canvey Island SS8 (2002) present owners WILLOW FUNERAL DIRECTORS 61 High Road, Benfleet. 






CHELMSFORD BOROUGH COUNCIL (http://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/node/29314)

Chelmsford Cemetery and Crematorium, Writtle Road, Chelmsford CM1 (1878 - crematorium 1964)
Carbon copies of burial orders giving date of order, name of deceased, last address, date of death, place of death, age, type of grave 1947-1953 at ESSEX RECORD OFFICE  (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp)

New London Road, Non-Conformist Cemetery, London Road Chelmsford CM2 (1846)
Burial registers 1846-1889 and microfilm of grave book 1869-1972 at ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp)

Rectory Lane (C of E) Cemetery, Rectory Lane, Chelmsford CM1 (1855)
Burial registers 1894-1961 at ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp)



GREAT BADDOW PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.greatbaddowparishcouncil.co.uk/page5/page16/page16.html)

The Old Burial Ground, High Street, Great Baddow CM2 (1947)

Galleywood and Great Baddow Lawn Cemetery Vicarage Lane, Great Baddow CM2 (1966)
 

SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.southwoodhamferrerstc.gov.uk/facilities-we-provide)

South Woodham Ferrers Garden of Remembrance, (cremations only) Woodham Road, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 (1995)





COLCHESTER BOROUGH COUNCIL (http://www.colchester.gov.uk/article/2910/Colchester-Cemetery-and-Crematorium)

Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium, Mersea Road, Colchester CO2 (1856 - crematorium 1957)
ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) hold the burial registers 1856-1960, cremation registers 1957-1979 and registers of purchased graves 1897-1948 COLCHESTER LIBRARY (http://microsites.essexcc.gov.uk/libraries/findalibrary/libdetail.asp?LibID=21) has microfilmed copies of Colchester cemetery registers 1856-1960.
Further information on Colchester cemetery an unofficial GUIDE (http://www.camulos.com/cemetery.htm)


CHAPPEL PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.chappel.org/index.shtml)

Chappel Cemetery, Chappel Hill, Chappel CO6 (1882?)


WEST MERSEA TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.westmersea.org/index.cfm/id/50)

Barfield Road Cemetery, Barfield Road, West Mersea CO5 (1895)

Firs Road, Cemetery, Firs Road, West Mersea CO5 (1944)

Feldy View Woodland Cemetery, West Mersea CO5 (2001)


WIVENHOE TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.wivenhoe.gov.uk/WTC/services.htm)

The Old Cemetery, Belle Vue Road, Wivenhoe CO7 (1855)

The New Cemetery, Belle Vue Road, Wivenhoe CO7 (1920)





EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL (http://www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/)
The Council does not directly provide any public cemeteries.


CHIGWELL PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.britnett-carver2.co.uk/chigwellpc/cemetery.html)

Chigwell Cemetery, Manor Road, Chigwell IG7 (1973)


EPPING TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk/What%20We%20Do/Responsibilities.htm)

Epping Cemetery, Bury Lane, Epping CM16 (1911)


EPPING UPLAND PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/epping-upland-parish-council/)

Epping Upland Parish Burial Ground, Upland Road, Epping Green CM16 (1892)
ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) holds the burial register 1892-1977


LOUGHTON TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.loughton-tc.gov.uk/2facil.htm)

Loughton Cemetery, Church Hill, Loughton IG10 (1888)


NORTH WEALD BASSETT PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.northweald-pc.gov.uk/services-2/1040-2/)

North Weald Bassett Parish Cemetery, Vicarage Lane, North Weald CM16 (1998)


ONGAR TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/ongartowncouncil/community-information/cemetery/)

Love Lane Cemetery, Love Lane, Ongar CM5 (1866)


THEYDON BOIS PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.theydon.org.uk/Parish%20Council/Council%20Pages/Councillors.html)

Theydon Bois Cemetery, Abridge Road, Theydon Bois CM16 (1962)
The council has a computerised cemetery register


WALTHAM ABBEY TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.walthamabbey-tc.gov.uk/thecouncil/councilindex.php)

Waltham Abbey New Cemetery, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey EN9 (1926)

Waltham Abbey Old Cemetery and Garden of Rest, Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey EN9 (1857)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY WITHIN EPPING FOREST DISTRICT COUNCIL

Epping Forest Burial Park, Kiln Road, North Weald, Epping CM16 (2008) present owners the WOODLAND BURIAL PARKS (http://www.woodlandburialparks.co.uk/Epping-Forest-Burial-Park/Events.ice)





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 11:56 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX





CIVIC CEMETERIES




CEMETERIES IN MODERN DAY ESSEX BOROUGH AND DISTRICT COUNCILS





HARLOW DISTRICT COUNCIL (http://www.harlow.gov.uk/about_the_council/council_services/environment/parndon_wood_crematorium_and_c.aspx)

Parndon Wood Cemetery and Crematorium, Parndon Wood Lane, Harlow CM19 (1961)





MALDON DISTRICT COUNCIL (http://www.maldon.gov.uk/info/200032/deaths_funerals_and_cremations/321/cemeteries/2)

Burnham-on-Crouch Cemetery, Southminster Road, Burnham-on-Crouch CM0 (1894)
ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) hold the burial register 1884-1914, microfilms of registers 1894-1988 and for the register of purchased graves, 1897-1981

Heybridge Cemetery, Goldhanger Road, Heybridge CM9 (1887)

Maldon Cemetery, London Road, Maldon CM9 (1855)
ESSEX RECORD OFFICE (http://seax.essexcc.gov.uk/Default.asp) holds the Bishops Transcripts (for Anglican burials only) 1856-1858 and 1864-1876



TOLLESBURY PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/tollesbury-parish-council/cemetery/)

Tollesbury Cemetery, West Street, Tollesbury CM9 (1928)


TOLLESHUNT D'ARCY PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/tolleshuntdarcyparishcouncil/)

Tolleshunt D’Arcy Cemetery, Beckingham Road, Tolleshunt D’Arcy CM9 (1982)




INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY IN MALDON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Crouch Valley Meadow Cemetery, Station Road, Althorne CM3 (2007) present owners CROUCH VALLEY MEADOW (http://www.crouchvalleymeadow.co.uk/)





ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL (http://www.rochford.gov.uk/community_and_people/births_deaths_and_bereavement/cemeteries_and_burials)
 
Hall Road Cemetery, Hall Road, Rochford SS4 (1949)

Rayleigh Cemetery, Hockley Road, Rayleigh SS6 (1884)



GREAT WAKERING PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.greatwakering-pc.gov.uk/burials/burials.htm)

Great Wakering Lawn-Burial Ground, New Road, Great Wakering SS3 (1973)




INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY IN ROCHFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL

Thornton Meadows Wildflower Cemetery, Canewdon Road, Ashingdon SS4 (1997) present owners Thornton Meadows Ltd





TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCI (http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/TendringDC/Community/Bereavement/BereavementServices.htm)

Clacton Cemetery, Burrs Road, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 (1899)

Dovercourt Cemetery, The Green, Main Road, Dovercourt CO12 (1856)

Kirby Cross Cemetery, Holland Road, Kirby Cross CO13 (1922)

Walton Cemetery, Walton Road, Walton-on-the-Naze CO14 (1921)

Weeley Crematorium, Colchester Road, Weeley CO16 (1986)



ARDLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/ardleighpc/cemetery/)

Ardleigh Cemetery, Harwich Road, Ardleigh CO7 (1861)


BRADFIELD PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.bradfieldparishcouncil.org.uk/)

Mill Lane Cemetery, Mill Lane, Bradfield CO11 (pre 1989?)


GREAT OAKLEY PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.great-oakley.co.uk)

Great Oakley Burial Ground, The Avenue, Great Oakley CO12 (1924)


MISTLEY PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/mistleypc/) and MANNINGTREE TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.visit-manningtree.co.uk/business/council-local-goverment/manningtree-town-council/council-local-goverment-manningtree.html)

Mistley and Manningtree Cemetery, New Road, Mistley, Manningtree CO11 (1999)
The cemetery is owned by Mistley Parish Council but jointly funded with Manningtree Town Council.
Registers are held by R. GWINNELL & SONS (http://www.gwinnell.co.uk/) Funeral Directors and Monumental Masons, Manningtree


RAMSEY AND PARKESTON PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.ramseyparkeston-pc.gov.uk/?page_id=230) 

Parkeston Cemetery, Parkeston Road, Dovercourt CO12 (1910)


ST OSYTH PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.stosyth.gov.uk/default.asp?calltype=stosythburialground)

St Osyth Cemetery, Clay Lane, St Osyth CO16 (1855)




INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY IN TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL

Oakfield Wood Green Burial Ground, Wheatsheaf Lane, Wrabness, Manningtree CO11 (2003) present owners GREEN WOODLAND BURIAL SERVICES LTD (http://www.woodlandburials.co.uk/)





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:18 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX





CIVIC CEMETERIES




CEMETERIES IN MODERN DAY ESSEX BOROUGH AND DISTRICT COUNCILS





UTTLESFORD DISTRICT COUNCIL (http://www.uttlesford.gov.uk/main.cfm?type=ENSC&object=2694)   
The Council does not directly provide any public cemeteries. The administration of the cemetery in Saffron Waldron was transferred to the town council in 2010.


ASHDON PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.ashdonparish.co.uk/)

Ashdon Cemetery, Church End, Ashdon CB10 (1878)


ELSENHAM PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.essexinfo.net/elsenhamparishcouncil/)

Elsenham Cemetery, High Street, Elsenham CM22 (1902?)


GREAT DUNMOW TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.greatdunmow-tc.gov.uk/services/)

Great Dunmow Town Council Cemetery, Church Street Great Dunmow CM6 (2001)


SAFFRON WALDRON TOWN COUNCIL (http://www.saffronwalden.gov.uk/)

Radwinter Road Cemetery, Radwinter Road, Saffron Waldron CB11 (1857)
ONLINE DATABASE (http://www.recordinguttlesfordhistory.org.uk/ULHRdone/sw%20cemetery%20records.html) at the website of the Recorders of Uttlesford


STANSTED MOUNTFITCHET PARISH COUNCIL (http://www.stansted.net/home/contact-us)

Stansted Mountfitchet Cemetery, Church Road, Stanstead Mountfitchet CM24 (1956)






CEMETERIES IN THE TWO UNITARY AUTHORITES (formerly part of historic Essex)




SOUTHEND-ON-SEA (http://www.southend.gov.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?categoryID=200032&documentID=1334)

Leigh Cemetery, London Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 (1882)

North Road Burial Ground, North Road, (Prittlewell Cemetery) Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 (1881)

Sutton Road Cemetery and Crematorium, Sutton Road, Southend-on-Sea SS2 (1900 - crematorium 1953)




THURROCK (http://www.thurrock.gov.uk/burials/content.php?page=cemeteries)

Chadwell-St-Mary Cemetery, Brentwood Road, Chadwell St Mary RM16 (1925)

Corringham Cemetery, Fobbing Road, Corringham SS17 (1930)

Grays New Cemetery, Chadwell Road, Grays RM17 (1888)

Grays Old Cemetery, High Street, Grays RM17 (1866)

North Stifford Cemetery, High Road, North Stifford RM16 (1901)

South Ockendon Cemetery, South Road, South Ockendon RM15 (1904)





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:42 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




CIVIC CEMETERIES





CEMETERIES IN THE FIVE LONDON BOROUGHS (formerly part of historic Essex until 1965)



In 1965 areas of the county of Essex became part of Greater London forming five modern London boroughs.


BARKING AND DAGENHAM

The municipal boroughs of Barking and Dagenham (most) from Essex

HAVERING

The urban district of Hornchurch and the municipal borough of Havering from Essex

NEWHAM
 
The county boroughs of East and West Ham, and a small area of the municipal borough of Barking from Essex and North Woolwich from the metropolitan borough of Woolwich formerly in Kent

REDBRIDGE

The municipal boroughs of Ilford, Wanstead and Woodford, a part of the municipal borough of Dagenham and a part of the urban district of Chigwell from Essex

WALTHAM FOREST
The municipal boroughs of Chingford, Leyton and Waltham from Essex




BARKING AND DAGENHAM (http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/CommunityPeopleAndLiving/Registration/Pages/Cemeteries.aspx)
ONLINE DATABASE (http://cemweb.barking-dagenham.gov.uk/servlet/Telesearch) for all Barking and Dagenham cemetery records.
 
Chadwell Heath Cemetery, Whalebone Lane North, Dagenham RM6 (1914)

Eastbrook End Cemetery, (known as Becontree Cemetery) The Chase, Dagenham RM10 (1934)

Rippleside Cemetery, Ripple Road, Barking IG11 (1886)

BARKING AND DAGENHAM LOCAL STUDIES CENTRE (http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/MuseumsAndHeritage/BoroughArchivesandLocalStudies/Pages/home.aspx) holds a list of burials 1886-1902 searchable by surname




HAVERING (http://www.havering.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Death-historical-searches.aspx)

Hornchurch Cemetery, Upminster Road, Hornchurch RM11 (1932)

Rainham Cemetery, Upminster Road North, Rainham RM13 (1872)

Romford Cemetery, Crow Lane, Romford RM7 (1871)
East of London Family History Society CEMETERY BURIAL INDEX (http://www.genfair.co.uk/product_list.php?sid=224&page=69213) 1871-1953 on CD

Upminster Cemetery, Ockenden Road, Upminster (1902) and South Essex Crematorium RM14 (1957)

DECEASED ONLINE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch) is a pay as you view indexed database of burials and cremations to which the London Borough of Havering has contributed cemetery records. COVERAGE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?AcctView=Login&SrchView=Basic&DetsView=Content&ListSource=Contributors&section=CONTRIBUTORS&context=SOUTHESSEX&lang=E&sessionid=12582908) of Havering cemetery registers so far



 
NEWHAM (http://www.newham.gov.uk/BirthsDeathsAndMarriages/CemeteriesinNewham.htm)

West Ham Cemetery, Cemetery Road, E7 (1854)

DECEASED ONLINE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch) is a pay as you view indexed database of burials and cremations to which the London Borough of Newham has contributed cemetery records. COVERAGE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?AcctView=Login&SrchView=Basic&DetsView=Content&ListSource=Contributors&section=CONTRIBUTORS&context=NEWHAM&lang=E&sessionid=1589056543) of Newham Cemetery registers so far


CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM MANAGED BY THE CITY OF LONDON WITHIN THE BOROUGH OF NEWHAM

See the City of London for further information on City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park E12 (1856 – crematorium 1904)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERIES WITHIN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF NEWHAM


East London Cemetery, Grange Road, Plaistow E13 (1872 – crematorium 1964)
Present owners DIGNITY  (http://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/crematoria/index.asp?pageid=26&fd=600)

Manor Park Cemetery, Serbert Road, E7 (1874)
Present owners MANOR PARK CEMETERY AND CREMATORIUM  (http://www.mpark.co.uk/)

DECEASED ONLINE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch) is a pay as you view indexed database of burials and cremations to which Manor Park Cemetery has contributed cemetery records. COVERAGE (https://www.deceasedonline.com/servlet/GSDOSearch?AcctView=Login&SrchView=Basic&DetsView=Content&ListSource=Contributors&section=CONTRIBUTORS&context=MANORPARK&lang=E&sessionid=700764563) of Manor Park Cemetery registers so far

Woodgrange Park Cemetery, 540 Romford Road, E7 (1889)
Present owners BADGEHURST LTD Fen Lane, Orsett, Grays RM16 3LT
FRIENDS OF WOODGRANGE PARK CEMETERY  (http://www.fowpc.co.uk/)





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:44 BST (UK)
A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX





CIVIC CEMETERIES




CEMETERIES IN THE FIVE LONDON BOROUGHS (formerly part of historic Essex until 1965)





REDBRIDGE (http://www.redbridge.gov.uk/cms/community_and_life_events/births_deaths_and_marriages/deaths/bereavement.aspx)
The WESTERLEIGH GROUP (http://www.westerleighgroup.co.uk/) manage the council's cemeteries.
 
Barkingside Cemetery, Longwood Gardens, Barkingside IG5 (1923) Garden of Rest (1954)

Buckingham Road Cemetery (formerly Great Ilford Cemetery), Buckingham Road, Ilford IG1 (1881)

Roding Lane Cemetery, Roding Lane North, South Woodford, IG8 (1940)



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERIES WITHIN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF REDBRIDGE

Forest Park Cemetery & Crematorium Ltd Forest Road, Hainault IG6 (2005) present owners the WESTERLEIGH GROUP (http://www.forestparkcrematorium.co.uk/)

Gardens of Peace Muslim Cemetery, Elmbridge Road, Hainault IG6 (2002) present owners GARDENS OF PEACE MUSLIM CEMETERY TRUST (http://www.gardens-of-peace.org.uk/)


 

WALTHAM FOREST (http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/Pages/Services/Death-funerals-burials.aspx)

Chingford Mount Cemetery, 121 Old Church Road, E4 (1884)
Registers 1884-1952 at WALTHAM FOREST ARCHIVES (http://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/pages/services/archives-general-information.aspx) post 1953 are at the cemetery.

Transcriptions and images can also be found with a subscription at Ancestry in the "England & Scotland, Select Cemetery Registers, 1800-2016" collection.

Waltham Forest Family History Society has a MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION (http://www.wffhs.org.uk/about.php) project on going for this cemetery

Walthamstow Cemetery, Queen's Road, E17 (1872)
Registers are held at Chingford Mount cemetery
Waltham Forest Family History Society has a MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTION (http://www.wffhs.org.uk/about.php) project on going for this cemetery 



INDEPENDENTLY MANAGED CEMETERY WITHIN THE LONDON BOROUGH OF WALTHAM FOREST

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Leytonstone Cemetery, Langthorne Road, Leytonstone E11 4HL (1861)
Registers are at the cemetery with copies held by the CATHOLIC FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY (http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/cfhs/) and the CATHOLIC NATIONAL LIBRARY (http://www.catholic-library.org.uk/registers.html) (including MIs). The East of London Family History Society has produced a CEMETERY BURIAL INDEX (http://www.genfair.co.uk/product_list.php?sid=224&page=69213) 1861-1880 on CD 




Information on individual London cemeteries in the five London boroughs can also be found at EAST OF LONDON FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY (http://www.eolfhs.org.uk/area/cemeteries/) and LONDON GARDENS ONLINE (http://www.londongardensonline.org.uk/select-borough-gardens-online.html)



Information and links to civic cemeteries in other areas of London can be found in the Rootschat GUIDE TO BURIALS IN THE LONDON AREA (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,403485.0.html)




Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:50 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX





WHO MIGHT BE MISSING FROM CHURCH OF ENGLAND BURIAL REGISTERS?




UNINTENTIONALLY MISSING


In 1538, a law was passed in England, which required the clergy to keep a record of baptisms, marriages, and burials, which would be recorded every Sunday after services. A further notice was sent out to churches in 1558, but compliance was still not uniform. In 1597 it was required that any existing records should be copied into a book (the parish register). There was some opposition from parish clergy. Some copied what records the parish had amassed into the new register, some copied some of the records and some did nothing starting their parish register from 1598. Not all parish registers survive from this period and because records were rarely written up on the day they occurred, not all events were remembered and written into the registers, particularly in smaller parishes lacking a resident minister.

In 1598, parishes were ordered to make annual returns of their baptisms, marriages, and burials to their local bishop. These are known as Bishops Transcripts and where obligatory up until the mid-nineteenth century. Not all parishes complied with the requirement on a regular basis and not all the transcripts have survived. Where they have, they serve as a useful check against the actual registers themselves. Not all entries in the parish registers are found in the Bishops Transcripts and sometimes records in the BTs are not found in the parish registers.


The English civil war lasted from1641-1651. The country was without a monarchy until the restoration of Charles II in 1660. Parish registers may only be fragmentary throughout this twenty-year period.



Institutions such as workhouses, asylums, and military hospitals often had their own burial grounds, particularly in the nineteenth century. With the building of municipal cemeteries from the 1840s onwards in towns and cities and the growing popularity of cremation, particularly from the twentieth century onwards, most burials and cremations in this country no longer occurred in churchyards, apart from in the more rural areas of England. Memorial services, in more modern times, might be listed in parish church registers if they are held in a church prior to a burial in a municipal cemetery. Such entries usually but not always give the actual burial location. A cremation would rarely be noted in a church burial register unless the ashes were buried in the churchyard later and then an entry should be made in the register.





Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:55 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




WHO MIGHT BE MISSING FROM CHURCH OF ENGLAND BURIAL REGISTERS?



INTENTIONALLY MISSING



The Church forbade the ceremonial interment of all excommunicated or unbaptized persons as well as suicides, though it was more sympathetic towards those suicides considered ‘bereft of reason’. Non-conformists were entitled to burial in the parish churchyard. The insertion of all such burials in the registers was often only fitful and irregular, though such burials did occur nevertheless.



UNBAPTISED


Unbaptised and stillborn babies can be found intermittently in even the earliest Church of England registers showing they were buried in churchyards, but more likely at the edges and in unconsecrated ground because they were not entitled to the full church rites of burial. Many of these burials went unrecorded in registers.

For parents who have experienced stillbirths this remains quite rightly a very sensitive subject, since attitudes to stillbirths were slow to change until well into the second half of the twentieth century ANSWERS.COM (http://www.answers.com/topic/unbaptized-babies)



NON-CONFORMISTS


By 1851, about a quarter of the population was non-conformist. Non-conformists were dissenters who disagreed with the beliefs and practices of the Church of England. They might be Protestants e.g. Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Independents, Congregationalists and Quakers or Roman Catholics. Some non-conformist chapels had their own burial grounds, but burials for many non-conformists still took place in parish churchyards, until the larger towns and cities had established their own municipal cemeteries from the 1840s onwards. In 1880, the Burial Laws Amendment Act allowed for the burial of non-conformists by their own ministers in Anglican churchyards. Where burials did take place in non-conformist burial grounds, the survival rate of these registers, if they ever existed, is much poorer than Church of England registers.

The example below is taken from the ANNOTATED BURIALS AT WESTBURY ON SEVERN (http://www.rebus.demon.co.uk/wos_br.htm) 1889 - 1895

In this register, the vicar gave far greater information than the standard requirement for burial registers of the period. In the register is mentioned the service conducted for a man who had committed suicide and the burial of three unnamed non-conformists, demonstrating that in a standard Church of England burial register these would have gone unrecorded


'18 Dec 1890 Memorandum that there had been 3 other persons buried by Sectaries this year whose names are not entered in this book'






Title: A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX
Post by: Valda on Saturday 09 April 11 12:56 BST (UK)

A GUIDE TO BURIALS IN ESSEX




WHO MIGHT BE MISSING FROM CHURCH OF ENGLAND BURIAL REGISTERS?



INTENTIONALLY MISSING



SUICIDES


Suicide ‘whilst of sound mind’ was considered by the state to be a serious crime. A suicide’s property could be forfeited to the crown. The church considered suicide ‘whilst of sound mind’ a mortal sin. It was customary in England to bury suicides at cross roads, but not infrequently for charity's sake, the body was interred in the graveyard without ceremony. Coroner’s juries were often sympathetic and returned verdicts of ‘suicide while of unsound mind’. Better to be judged mad than a criminal and denied a Christian burial. If the jury returned the rarer verdict of 'felo de se', felon of himself, the suicide was deemed a felon and their property was confiscated.

Though in the context of the suicide of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, SHAKESPEARE LAW LIBRARY (http://www.sourcetext.com/lawlibrary/guernsey/03.htm) has an informative article on the church’s response to the burials of suicides. 

Penalties against suicides and their families were gradually reduced throughout the nineteenth century. In 1823, the Right to Burial Act allowed for the burial of felo de se suicides in the churchyard. In 1870, the Abolition of Forfeiture Act removed the penalty of forfeiting the suicide’s property to the Crown. No religious ceremony could be obtained for a felo de se until the Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880, though the full burial service was still denied them and until 1882; the suicide’s body was buried privately between the hours of nine and twelve at night. Under the Suicide Act of 1961, suicide no longer became a crime, though assisting someone to commit suicide still is. The Church of England proposed Book of Common Prayer (1928) began the order for the burial of the dead with this statement.


'Here it is to be noted that the Office ensuing is not to be used for any that die unbaptized, or for any that are excommunicate, or have laid violent hands upon themselves, or in the act of committing any grievous crime.
If question arise as to whether this Office should be used for the burial of any person, reference shall (if time and opportunity permit,) be made to the Bishop, who shall decide the question.'





EXCOMMUNICANTS


The Church of England could excommunicate parishioners for many moral offences, as well as heresy. A modified form of the burial service was available for excommunicants following the Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880, though this was merely the formalisation of the process where sympathetic clergymen absolved deceased excommunicants and read the normal burial service. Those who were excommunicated because they had committed a grievous crime, if they died unrepentant, would be deprived of the normal burial service. From 1745 onwards the relatives of excommunicants, where necessary, could compel their burial in a churchyard.




CRIMINALS


Taken from THE HISTORY OF JUDICIAL HANGING IN BRITAIN (http://www.capitalpunishmentuk.org/hanging1.html) 1735-1964 


‘From 1752 the bodies of executed murderers were not returned to their relatives for burial. Up to 1832, except in a case of murderers where the court had ordered dissection or gibbeting it was usual for the criminal's body to be claimed by friends or relatives for burial. This burial could take place in consecrated ground provided that the person had not committed murder. In earlier times (pre 1752) it was not unusual for murderers to be buried under the gallows on which they had suffered. Dissection was removed from the statute book on the 1st of August 1832, by the Anatomy Act. The same act directed that the bodies of executed criminals belonged to the Crown and were now to be buried in the prison grounds in unmarked graves, often several to a grave to save space. Typically, the person was placed into a cheap pine coffin or even a sack and covered with quicklime, which was thought to hasten the process of decomposition of the body. This practice was later abandoned, as the quicklime was found to have a preserving effect. The Capital Punishment Amendment Act of 1868 required that a formal inquest be held after an execution and that the prisoner be buried within the grounds of the prison unless directed otherwise by the sheriff of the county. This practice continued up to abolition. After the inquest, the body was placed into the coffin, which had large holes bored in the sides and ends. The burial normally took place at lunchtime and was carried out by prison officers and overseen by the chaplain who conducted a simple burial service. The position of the grave was recorded in the Burial Register for the prison. Prisons in major cities soon had quite large graveyard areas. Where prisons were demolished for redevelopment the bodies were removed and buried elsewhere, normally in consecrated ground.’