** COMPLETED ** Lookup Request: Emrys George Beard - Swansea

[lyndahirst_1]

Hello the list -- I wonder if anyone may be able to look up records which could locate where this infant may be buried please?  The only information I have is that his

birth was registered Mar-Jun Qtr 1915 and
death registered Jan-Mar Qtr 1916.

His parents were Thomas and Rachel Ellen Lawrence and around the time of death, they were living in Swansea [district unknown at this time** .]  I have located Thomas' & Rachel's grave - they are interred in Danygraig but there doesn't appear to be any mention of this child in their plot.

Very grateful for any leads or information.

Cheers, Lynda
New Zealand

** 1916 has the family living at Windmill Terrace, St Thomas, Swansea - any suggestions regards likely cemetery? Could he be at Danygraig and it was missed when first checked?

[lyndahirst_1]

I have an update and now know family were at Windmill Tce, St Thomas in 1916 -- could he be buried in Danygraig and was missed first time checked or is it likely a different cemetery might be involved?

cheers
Lynda
NZ

[bernard_lewis]

St Thomas is more or less adjacent to Danygraig Cemetery so its a good bet. Given that the child died at a very early age is it possible that a family - possibly living in hardship - opted for or had no affordable choice other than for a burial in a common grave? And - in later and better times - were themselves buried in a 'normal' plot?

Common graves were often referred to as 'pauper's graves' and would usually include several persons (often children or still borns) who were unrelated to each other. Have you asked the cemetery staff to search the register for the child or are you just puzzled that you've found the parents but not the child in a grave?

Bernard

[lyndahirst_1]

Hi Bernard

You might remember me :-) I was corresponding with you earlier this year regards your book about the 14th Battalion and my gr-uncle David Beard being one of the losses mentioned ... You kindly allowed me to refer to details on your website.

Yes I was puzzled there was no mention of the child in same grave as the parents - there's 6 family members in the one plot by 1947 - and I would imagine it's quite possible he was buried in a common grave back in 1916. Does the cemetery keep an official record of common grave burials ?. Are they likely to respond to an email request for information or is it personal contact only?

Cheers
Lynda
NZ



Living in NZ, I haven't personally been able to check with the cemetery staff

[bernard_lewis]

Hi Lynda; yes, I do recall though to be honest I didn't notice who had posted the question here - rushing as usual! Hope all is well there.

Try e-mailing evh@swansea.gov.uk

Mark your e-mail message 'For the Attention of the Cemeteries Section' and set out the name of the deceased, date (approx if not precise) of death and ask if they can check the index for that name and date(s) for Danygraig Cemetery.

They will have the name in the index, even if it was a common grave burial, always assuming it took place there and not at some other cem, of course. If the e-mail bounces back let me know; I've picked it up from the Swansea City Council website so it should be OK - but DO make it clear it is a cemetery query.

Bernard

[lyndahirst_1]

Brilliant!  will do Bernard... thanks for the email addy... For some reason, I struggle to access the Swansea council site and the Cambrian Index -- I think when I'm trying during UK night time, they must be doing routine maintenance on their site!

Let you know how I get on.

Ta!

[bernard_lewis]

If, for any reason Lynda, you don't get a reply from the council in a couple of weeks (or they want money!) let me know and I'll pop in and have a look myself. They should answer though - I used to work there myself and they certainly used to 'pick up' and answer these e-mail queries!

Bernard

[lyndahirst_1]

lolll... nothing like a wee piece of "insider knowledge' eh!  Thanks Bernard! :-)))

[lyndahirst_1]

They came through for me Bernard!    

Grateful for your providing me with a contact! :-)

cheers
Lynda