Goldburn in Ecuador

[davidgoldburn]

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[goldbaas]

Hi Erato, I'm reigniting this thread after 10 years! I'm David's cousin and I'm looking to visit San Diego Cemetery. I could do with some advice and I can't find many locals with experience visiting there. I'd be grateful if you could send me a DM. Much appreciated!

[Erato]

What do you need to know? The cemetery is located in a part of town that I do not ordinarily frequent. It's been a while, so my recollection is a bit foggy.  As best I recall, the first time I went to the San Diego Cemetery, I took a taxi.  The second time, I went by bus starting from a bus stop located at the corner of Avenida Patria and Avenida Seis de Diciembre.  Of course, I no longer remember the name of the bus route.

At the cemetery, you go to the office (which is located within the cemetery grounds) and give them the information about the burial - niche # 173 Series R 5th tier. The cemetery personnel were very helpful - they enjoyed helping a bewildered foreigner.  They'll show you on a plan where the thing is located. The Goldburn niche, as I recall, was near the end of a long row, in the uppermost tier, above eye level.

The day I went there, I had no sooner located the niche when the skies opened and there was a terrific downpour. That complicated getting a decent photo. Since he was, or had been at one time, Jewish, I left a stone for him on the edge of the niche - either a fossil snail or a fossil barnacle, I don't remember which.  I'd be interested to know if it is still there after all these years.

[cockney rebel]

Hi
I certainly missed this thread at the time....but nearly 20 years on have just read it completely and found it fascinating the way you managed to find all the pieces of the puzzle.
Great stuff and well done!
Rebel

[Erato]

I sent some reports on the quest for Rudolph Goldburn to your cousin in personal messages.  These cannot be reproduced here because they were private communications, but for the most part, they concerned dead ends in the search.  I think I can summarize some of what I failed to find here, which will give you an idea of what avenues in Quito are not worth pursuing.

1.  I went to the Registro Civil where I learned that Rudy was never issued an Ecuadorian id card.

2.  I also went to the vital records department where I learned it was impossible to get a death certificate without the precise date of death, which was unknown to me at that time.

3. I also went to the Chilean Embassy. They were very helpful and got out their daily log books for the 1940s.  We went through them and found no record of Rudolph Goldburn.

4.  A similar effort at the German Embassy was unproductive.

5.  Before I learned that he was buried at the San Diego Cemetery, I went to the Jewish Cemetery in Quito.  There was no one on duty with whom to inquire but I walked around and didn't see any trace of him.

[goldbaas]

Erato, You have an incredible memory! Thank you so much!! I think you've answered the majority of my questions, without me even having to ask! Such as the location of the burial and whether there is a record office.

Essentially, I am trying to get a death certificate for Rudolf. The Consulate in London have spoken with the Registro Civil and have no record of his death - so I am hoping to go to the record office to take a photo / copy of the record, which I can then send to the Registro Civil to get this created. I have been looking online for contact details for the registry office (in Spanish) but have been unable to find anything. However, you've confirmed to me that at least there is one, and it should be open!

You may not remember, but did you have to book an appointment ahead of time?

Don't worry about the personal messages with David. He has shared the majority of the confirmed information with me already. But let me say thank you, on behalf of the rest of our family for all your help! It sounds like you put in a huge amount of work for us all.

[Erato]

1. San Diego Cemetery - no appointment required.  8 am to 5 pm, 7 days/week.
tel: (593-2) 228-2580.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cementerio-de-san-diego
https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cementerio_de_San_Diego_(Quito)

2. Registro Civil (Vital Records)

The problem is that Rudy did not have a cédula (Ecuadorian id card) and without an id number it is difficult to track people here - everything depends on that id number.  It's probably best to start at the main office of the Registro Civil and get their advice on how to proceed.

The main office in Quito is located at Avenida Río Amazonas N37-61.
8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday.  tel: (593-2) 373-1110

The actual death certificates are held in another office in Quitumbe at the extreme southern end of the city - Avenida, Quitumbe Ñan, Quito 170146.
tel: (593-2) 300-7854.

You don't need an appointment, but I can assure you that it's a mad house. Fortunately, though, most people are there to get a recent birth/marriage/death certificate.  You have to get yourself into the office where they handle older, historical records.  I did get into that office, but I don't remember how I did it.  They were very pleasant, they wanted to help, but without an id number and a specific death date, there was no way to find the certificate.  Now that the actual death date is known, it may be possible to track it down.

3.  Chilean Embassy

Juan Pablo Sanz Nº 3617 y Av. Amazonas, Edificio Xerox 4º piso. Quito, Ecuador
tel:  (593-2) 245 3327, (593-2) 245 2752
fax:  (593-2) 244 4470
email:  echile.ecuador@minrel.gob.cl

Since it is now known that Rudy was using a Chilean passport and his death was handled by a Chilean consular official (Samuel Mesa), I think it's worth making contact with them again. They made every effort to help me when I went there, but I didn't have sufficient information at that time to narrow down the search. With the exact date of death and the fact that we know that Samuel Mesa dealt with the case, it might be possible for them to find their file on Rudy's death.  They may have a copy of the death certificate.

[goldbaas]

Again, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you Erato!

I'm planning on going to the Registro Civil anyway to get my own cedula card - as I'm also an Ecuadorian citizen due to my father being born there. So it makes sense to combine both of these tasks.

It seems like the first task is to get a copy of the record from the church, to prove he did die in Quito - meaning officials can't dispute it. Then speak with the Registro Civil about how to proceed.

I've already experienced what it's like to get a record without a cedula for my father. It takes some months, but it is possible. I'll let you know how I get on!

[Erato]

There's also the Hospital Eugenio Espejo.  I'd be surprised if they retain any records from the 1940s and it's always hard to get hold of medical records.  If all else fails, though, it might be worth a try.

https://www.salud.gob.ec/hospital-de-especialidades-eugenio-espejo/