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Ireland (Historical Counties) => Ireland => Waterford => Topic started by: eadaoin on Tuesday 07 October 08 17:27 BST (UK)

Title: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: eadaoin on Tuesday 07 October 08 17:27 BST (UK)

William Gray, a Presbyterian, died in 1892 in Portlaw.
Is it likely that he'd be buried in the C of I graveyard in Portlaw?
Unfortunately, the newspaper notice says nothing about his funeral.

eadaoin

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 07 October 08 17:42 BST (UK)

Many, many Irish Presbyterians, as well as other religions, are buried in Church of Ireland graveyards. Basically there are 2 reasons:
1. the person's own church didn't have a graveyard
2. the person is buried in an old family plot (dating from the days when their own church had no graveyard.
In cases of non-members being buried in these Parish graveyards (not to be confused with Roman Catholic parishes) the rector may or may not have recorded the details in the burial register and the old headstones, if any, may have been disposed of after a number of years and the same plot used by another unrelated (C. of I.) family.
Many times the newspaper death notices do not mention place of burial and unfortunately death certificates do not contain that information.
One thing to try is a memorial notice (on the 1st anniversary of the death or sometimes for several years afterwards) in case the family mentioned the place of burial.

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: eadaoin on Tuesday 07 October 08 17:52 BST (UK)

thanks, aghadowey, i'll try the anniversary!

i believe the CofI graveyard in Portlaw was transcribed many years ago, but when I asked the National Library, it wasn't available - maybe it's back in circulation now.
(of course by now, I haven't got the reference! another senior moment)

eadaoin

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: TF13 on Tuesday 07 October 08 17:54 BST (UK)

i remember reading somewhere here on rootschat (i think)  that at one time presbyterians could have been buried in catholic graveyards due to some political tension at the particular time. did this ever happen?

tony

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: aghadowey on Tuesday 07 October 08 18:11 BST (UK)

Haven't ever heard about Presbyterians buried in Catholic graveyards in Ulster but there were ancient burying-grounds used by all religions in many areas (several near me used until 1960s or so).

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: eadaoin on Sunday 05 April 09 17:11 BST (UK)

hi, Aghadowey

with Irish Times free this week, I tried William's first Anniversary as you suggested - no luck. Will try some later ones tonight.
But moving on, also courtesy of Irish Times, one of his sons was buried in Portlaw in 1940s, even though they left in 1900s ... as a newer burial, I think it'll be easier to find when I do get to Portlaw.

In the meantime, if any Rootschatters are pottering around the area, and see a GRAY grave, please let's know!

regards eadaoin

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: aghadowey on Sunday 05 April 09 17:31 BST (UK)

Glad you had some luck on Irish Times site (I also found some interesting bits) but be prepred that there may not be a gravestone even for 1940 burial.

Title: Re: Portlaw - where would a presbyterian be buried?
Post by: eadaoin on Tuesday 03 September 13 23:50 BST (UK)

I finally made it to Portlaw this weekend.

Disappointment at first, there were NO graves at the C of I church in Portlaw!

So, at OH's suggestion I rang the vicar, who lives in Piltown, who sent me to a little deconsecrated church a couple of miles south of Portlaw (at Guilcagh).

And there it was, about the fifth grave I looked at! In good condition.We gently cleared away some moss by hand and took a photo ....

thanks again, tony and aghadowey, for the interest.