Pre 1855 Gravestone Index

[DANNIELLE]

Hello Jean, Thanks for your help re the BLEWS. There are several unmarked graves in BENHOLM KIRKYARD which are marked on the plan as " McFarline" These could be Mcfarlane and this would be a great help to me. Does your book have any more information on these graves?

I  was in the Kirkyard and the Kirk a few weeks ago.

Dannielle

[JEANP]

Good Morning Dannielle,

The plan you saw at the Kirk is quite helpful, however the names on the plan refer to the purchaser of the plot, not necessarily the deceased.

The only McFarline graves marked on the plan or in B25 and as far as I'm aware there's no stone. Did you see a stone?

Jean

[DANNIELLE]

Jean,

No there were no stones in the area of the McFarline graves.  I'm still looking for the grave of James McFarlane who died 9 Feb 1871 in Johnshaven who was my G-G-Grandfather.  Can you tell me when the last burial was in Benholm Kirkyard after which I presume burials in  Johnshaven old churchyard would have commenced?

Dannielle

[JEANP]

Hi Dannielle,

I'm sorry I do not know yet when burials stopped in Benholm, but should I come across this information I'll let you know. The plan is dated 1892 so I would presume it would be around that time.

I am presently transcribing the parish records but the early records that I'm working on don't match to any of the graves marked on the plan. But I'm hoping that when I get into the later burials, that I can start to match the plan to the records.

Jean

[DANNIELLE]

Hello again Jean, thanks for the note about the burial records. I just hope that something will turn up eventually!

Dannielle

[Sparky53]

Sorry Jean only just saw your posting.

Lots of Sparks hey.

Most wil be from the Muchalls Sparks which I have not proved a relationship too.

I am particularly looking for a William Spark.

Or any Archibald Spark's - Archibald is a commonly repeated name in my lot.

If none of theses James & Alexanders were quite common too.


Thanks

Jane

[DANNIELLE]

Jean, Since you say  that the burials would have stopped in Benholm Kirkyard about 1892 we have looked at our records and have two of my family who died in Johnshaven in 1871 and 1880 but we can't find their graves in either of the Johnshaven cemeteries.

James Mcfarlane died on 9 Feb. 1871 and his wife Helen(Nellie)  Blues died on 26 June 1880.

They might be buried in Benholm so these dates might be of help to you when trying to tie up those buried in the plots when you get round to it.

It would also help me tie up some loose ends and possibly provide information on who is in the "McFarline" plots.

Dannielle

[JEANP]

Hi Dannielle,

From the position of the mcfarline plots I would guess that they are older burials. However, it's possible that when James died they opened up the plot, as there is no stone we'll never know. The same with his wife Nellie.

There could be a mention of the burial place in the parish records, I have seen this in other parish records.  I can't get to the library this week but I'll look at the records and see what it says. Unless you've already seen them?

Let me know
Jean

[JEANP]

Hi Jane

Please can you provide d.o.b. and possible place of death for those you are looking for. A date of death would also help.

Thanks
Jean