Head Stone

[mimosa]

Hi

I don't know if anyone will be able to help me but I have a relative Jacob Smith who died in 1908 in Castle Acre Norfolk, now Jacob most of his life was an Ag Lab then was stated as Parish Relief (am I right thinking this was like our benefit system now?) but I recently visited Castle Acre and the head stone that belongs to him and his wife is a large headstone so myself and a cousin (recently found) were wondering how this would come about, I guess what I am asking in a long winded way is is there any way we could check and see how or how paid for the head stone?

Regards Mimosa 

[Llwyd]

It may be a long,long shot, but have you thought about contacting local undertakers?.One or more of them may be an old established firm with,hopefully,records going back far enough.

Best of luck..... 

[mimosa]

Hi Llwyd,

Thanks for that I never thought Castle Acre is a small village so you may be right again thank you will give it a go.

Mimosa

[lushbrown]

hi, if you have no joy with the undertakers you could always try the local parish council and ask if you can look through the record of burials.idid this to find where some of my family were buried and it also showed who made the purchase for the grave.if you are unable to go yourself try giving them a ring they may even look it up for you,i have been lucky like that several times,good luck,elaine

[mimosa]

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the advice will give that a go also.

Mimosa

[Guy Etchells]

It was quite common for low paid workers to join a burial club which would pay for the eventual funeral.
Were only Jacob & his wife mentioned on the stone?
Was Jacob buried before or after his wife?
Did they have any children or relatives who could afford to pay for the stone?
Cheers
Guy

[dinkey]

You could also check with the local library in that area. If they have memorial inscriptions it may also include a list of the owners of the graves.

regards

dinkey

[mimosa]

Hi Guy and Dinkey,

Thank you for the advice Hannah died 3 years before Jacob and yes they were the only ones in the grave and they did have children one is buried not far from them. Thank you again for the help.

Regards Mimosa

[Guy Etchells]

It is likely that the children paid for the headstone, is there a masons mark on the stone.
If so when was that mason working, check other stones in the churchyard to see his date range.
Many churchyards and cemeteries require up to a year to pass before erecting a stone to allow the ground to settle.
So it could be 1909, 1910 or even later that the stone was erected.
Cheers
Guy