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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: Nadine Moore on Saturday 16 September 06 14:58 BST (UK)
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I am hoping to bring my Mother down to Kent this week and was hoping for some advice re places we want to visit.
We will be going to St Mary's Church in Swanley but also I would like us to visit Dartford, Stone-next-Dartford, Crockenhill, Eynesford and Swanley Junction. I have looked at maps but would like to know how close these places are and if it is feasible to visit most of them in one day?
Also if anyone has any details of where the church yards are, I would be most grateful.
Cheers
Dinie
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Hi Dinie
You should have no problems....apart from the Dartford Interchange, where they are currently widening the road system.
All locations are close together.....you are more or less out of Dartford into Stone, Dartford into Swanley. All locations are well sign posted.
Have a safe journey and hope you find what you are looking for :)
Best wishes......Iris :)
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Sorry, forgot to add....you could probably visit quite a few in one day.
Iris.....
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Hi Dinie
The West Kent Family History Society have a good gazetteer on their site which gives the actual addresses (roads & streets) of the churches http://www.nwkfhs.org.uk/parindex.htm so you should be able to find them on a street map ie. http://www.streetmap.co.uk/
If it is later burials then they are quite likely to be in the local council borough cemeteries see http://www.dartford.gov.uk/cemetery/index.htm for the Dartford area.
Casalguidi
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Why visit stone theirs nothing there pos down the road at greenhithe is the old abbey Swanley and crockenhall are next to each other from ther pick up m25 of next junction at princess road signed for Dartford not a lot to see in Dartford but library does have a usefull family history section when you come out of dartford go up east hill and follow road for about a mile and this takes you to stone as you pass a Co-op on your right hand side there is a left turn that takes you to stone crossing. If you carry on the main road to a roundabout and turn right and right again you could visit Blue Water
Jim
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Thanks All for your help
Smeghead, don't mention Bluewater, this is strictly a FH trip, no gallivanting in shopping centres. ;D ;D
My Mum is into her 70's now and only has vague memories of where her mother's family came from, so this is a trip down memory lane for her.
Her 17 month old Aunt is buried at Stone :( (Mum never knew she existed)
Cheers
Dinie
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Hi Dinie
How did the trip go ?
You certainly picked a lovely time to go weather wise :)
Iris...... :)
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Hi Iris
We had a wonderful time, a fairly easy journey down from Milton Keynes and the fantastic views over the QE bridge.
First we visited Stone, we actually needed Stone village and found the most beautiful 13th century church where my Mums aunt is buried. Sadly, we did not find a grave stone as she died in the workhouse infirmary aged just 17 months. As the church is so old, she will remain at peace and not get paved over for housing hopefully.
We then drove down to Crockenhill where my Gran was born. As expected no sign of the little farm cottage she was born in but was nice for Mum to be in the area.
Finally we drove back to Swanley and St Mary's church (opposite Asda) and found the area where Mum's Gran was buried. Again she died in the workhouse, so no headstone but a relative had found the area and taken a photo with some good landmarks to locate the area again.
The weather was lovely, in fact quite hot coming home. The family were certainly smiling on us as, we had just got through the tunnel when it was closed due to an accident a few cars behind us. Don't think it was too serious though.
Mum had a lovely day seeing where her ancestors came from and where some of them still are ;). Her Mum never really spoke about her childhood so all I find out is new to her.
Cheers
Dinie
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Hi Dinie
Pleased to hear that your Mum and you had a good day ;D
Iris...... :)
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didn't go to Bluewater than!! I am amazed that anyone could see any interest in Stone nothing there I live a just over a mile away from Stone and other than taking the dog for a walk down to stone crossing not much to see. Crockenhill is a very nice village very quiet seems like you are miles from anywhere.
Jim
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Hi Smeghead,
I'm in Gravesend. You never know they might put a road through Stone, like they are everywhere else round here :(
I am beginning to hate living round this area. I work at Bluewater and am NOT looking forward to all the upheavel of the new road system going in.
Too much of our lovely greenery is dissappearing. :'(
Best wishes.....Iris
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worst to come over 20,000 homes to be built on old blue circle land. My house backs on to where they have begun to landscape the old quarry's with diggers out there all times of day. The a2 is going to a massive jam as road widening begins particular by M25 and Bluewater. Look Out for average SPEED CAMERA'S along this stretch. Thinking of moving but need to be within 1 hour of Bromley considering Longfield/new ash green
Jim
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They got the heavy plant stuff on the G/end east turn off now.
I have been watching all that going on in the B/circle site....wouldn't want to buy a house there when its all finished. The road system is bad now....what with B/water and Darent Hospital....fancy putting them both together on the only major road to get to both ::)
I think Longfield is a better bet :)
I am moaning about it , but, I wont be moving.
Anyway, I'll let you get on, this topic should be in the common room lol
Best wishes.....take care
Iris....... :)
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didn't go to Bluewater than!!
No Jim, I was a very good girl ;D ;D
We actually went to Stone Village (didn't know it existed), the church was up a small lane with some newer homes (possibly 60's) nearby. The church is St Mary's and is still used for services. Didn't look around Stone itself i'm afraid.
I know what it's like having building going on - I live in Milton Keynes and they have been building here for 40 years'. They still haven't finished ???
Dinie
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Hi Dinie
I'm hoping to go to Kent soon to see if I can find some family graves. Many of my family were born and lived in Stone (and presumably died there), so I'm hopeful of finding them in the churchyard.
Are there many graves at Stone church?
I'm very new to this business, so I've no idea how to find deaths/burial locations at the moment, but I'm learning...
Anyway, I'm glad your trip went well.
Janet
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Hi Janet
I went to the C13 chuch in Stone village but there is also quite a large looking cemetary in Stone itself. The church i visited is quite a small church and grounds but a lot of the stones were unreadable. I think there are quite a few graves at the main cemetary.
I do not live in the area, so hopefully someone with a bit more knowledge may be able to give you more info.
I found the places I visited very nice and quiet (even though the church at Swanley was on a main road) and my parents had a good day out.
Have a good day and I hope you find what you are looking for.
Dinie
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According to my Mum, who I've just spoken to on the phone, she couldn't find any 'Walter' graves the last time they looked (which was many years ago), but I've discovered that some different family - the 'Driver' family are buried in Gravesend, so I will look in both places - you never know, I might get lucky!
Thanks for your reply. :)
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there are quite a few churches in Gravesend and in gravesend library loads of records for area including census stuff. Stone is not very big and is between Dartford and Greenhithe. Swanscombe and northfleet are nearby i live in Swanscombe and there is a big cemetery in swanscombe. I have not done any research on these as none of my family are from this area of Kent but try this website may come across some of your family
www.cityark.medway.gov.uk
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Hi Janet
My Dad was a WALTER.
I am in Gravesend.....you would need to visit the Cemetery to look at the graves.
St Georges Church was a main burial ground, but, is now grassed over, with very few headstones placed by the walls.
Best wishes.....Iris :)