whitburn cemetery

[patrick cryans]

I have been told my ancestor was buried at Whitburn is this possible as this was in 1852/53 she was living on a farm named Yancrum i 1.5 miles west of West Calder
Patrick

[Rockford]

Hi Patrick,

There are three burial places in Whitburn, as far as I know.  Blaeberry is much newer [1980s?] and the cemetery known as Whitburn Cemetery opened (I think) in the late 19th century.

For the period 1852/53 it might be more likely that your ancestor was buried in the original kirkyard which surrounds the original parish church.  This is just slightly further up the hill from Whitburn Cemetery.

I have some photos of the church and surrounding burial ground, which I'll post today or tomorrow.  No individual stones, I'm afraid, though!

Best wishes

Rockford

[patrick cryans]

Hi Rockwood,
Many thanks for your help, my understanding is there was very little in the way of Church's and burial grounds for the Catholic's at that time.
Patrick

[Rockford]

Hi Patrick,

I don't know of any burial grounds in West Lothian that were dedicated for solely Catholic use, although I stand to be corrected!

In terms of churches, I think it may only have been with the influx of Irish workers to industries such as coal and shale mining that led to the founding of new Catholic churches.  The oldest I can find are St Michael's in Linlithgow (founded in 1850), followed by St Mary's, Bathgate (1858), SS John Cantius & Nicholas in Broxburn (1862) and St John the Baptist in Fauldhouse (1865), most of the others were founded in the late nineteenth, early twentieth or later.  Our Lady and St Bridget's in West Calder wasn't founded until 1877.  I'm sure Mass would have been said in other places before these churches were established, but these are the oldest ones still in use.

If your ancestor was buried in the orginal churchyard at Whitburn, you can see some of it here: http://www.whitburnsouthparishchurch.org.uk/index.htm

They are also in famous company, as one of the daughters of Robert Burns is also buried there:

http://www.westlothiancourier.co.uk/west-lothian-news/west-lothian-news/west-lothian-news/2010/07/01/whitburn-people-restore-rabbie-burns-daughter-s-grave-62405-26757217/

I've attached another photo of the church taken from another angle.

Best wishes

Rockford

[apanderson]

Particular sections of Churchyards or even just single Lairs/Plots would be consecrated by the local priest to allow Catholic burials or burials would be in the closest Episcopal Churchyard.

Anne

[mistert]

Patrick
There is Whitburn and West Calder church yards that would be used then but what is the names.
Tom

[patrick cryans]

Hi,
MY RELATION WHO I WAS LOOKING FOR WAS ANN LEESON/LAWSON FROM County MEATH  WHO LIVED IN A PLACE CALLED YAN KRUM (NOT SURE OF EXACT SPELLING WEST CALDER) WIFE OF WILLIAM DIED AROUND 1853.
THE REST OF THE FAMILY MOVED TO BLACKBURN WEST LOTHIAN AND WORKED IN THE SHALE MINES
THE LEESON NAME WAS CHANGED TO LAWSON I BELIEVE AFTER ANN'S DEATH
THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP, MOST KIND OF YOU.
PATRICK

[Rockford]

Hi Patrick,

Yan Krum does not ring any bells and I grew up near to West Calder.  Where did you see this name written?  My first thought is that it was a misreading of handwriting for 'Harburn', which is just south east of West Calder.

Best wishes

Rockford

[patrick cryans]

Hi,
Thank you once again for your help, i have attached a map which someone sent me to show where the place is, although not shown i am assured it is the correct area. Also attached the 1851 census where the place was discovered, although very poor quality.
Any help is much appreciated.
Patrick