Grave Records after Church Closes?

[Brant81uk]

I want to know if grave records or even church records are kept after the closure of the church in question? St Andrews in Pershore Worcestershire is now closed but a lot of my ancestors were Christened, Married and buried at this church.

A lot of the gravestones are gone and the churchyard has a few scattered floor gravestones but thats about it. Was wondering would the church have a record of the plot and be able to pinpoint where the graves may of been?

I had a look in January this year but the churchyard really didnt help?

If anyone is in Pershore and could possibly help then that would be great,

Regards,

Tyrone 

[coombs]

Hi Brant18uk

If they survived they should be at the local relevant Record Office.

Ben

[Brant81uk]

Cheers Coombs,

Would they have a plot record as to where the graves may be in the graveyard? I know a grass patch on the floor isnt that interesting but at least it gives you some comfort knowing where they could be.

regards,

Tyrone 

[coombs]

The best thing to do would be to contact the record office. If the church is now closed then I doubt it would have a vicar but the record office may hold records of graves. They may have deeds to the graves, which should list who bought them and who is buried there.

My ancestors have a grave in Highgate Cemetery and I managed to find the deeds which list the people buried there and who bought the grave plot. 3 people are buried there.

[Brant81uk]

That sounds like an idea.

I believe Pershore has it's own record office so that would be a good starting point. I seriously need to get my butt over there as there are quite a lot of questions that can be answered there.

Thanks for the info...

[coombs]

Thats OK. That is the problem with unmarked graves and graves where the headstone is weathered or has been removed. I have found churchyards where the graves have been thrown in a corner at the side of the churchyard.

[newburychap]

I have found churchyards where the graves have been thrown in a corner at the side of the churchyard.

I think you'll find that, in most cases, the graves haven't moved - only the stones.

[Grandpappy]

'Newburychap' says that in most cases! What does he mean,'most cases'?
I've been trying to find my fathers grave and nobody knows anything; not the council,not the church and not even the registrar or reverend. It seems that after 50 odd years it doesn't matter anymore. I can't erect a headstone or memorial at his resting place because of apathy. I think it's disgusting that an ex-soldier can't be traced!
Grandpappy

[andycand]

Hi Grandpappy

Do you know which cemetery your father is buried in? If its a municipal cemetery then the burial records may well have been filmed and available at a Record Office or library, if you don't know for certain then you might need to see if there was a notice in a local newspaper or if someone still alive who can recall where.

Judging by the experiences of others in this forum people are often not where you would expect them.

Andy