grave treking

[lovin lass]

how many people have actually found there ancestors graves
my auntie is hoping to visit one of my ancesters graves this weekend
louisa hewitt was born 1832 and died 1914
i think it is very emotional to actually research our ancestors and many months of research,then actually visit that persons place of buriel

best wishes angie

[Boongie Pam]

Hiya Angie,

I think I've got about 10 or 12 photos of family graves, that is people on my tree not close family I knew.

It is one of my favourite things to do.  I pack a couple of sarnies, a banana or 2 bottle of water and I'm off.

I've had varied success.  I did the whole of St Tudno's graveyards in Llandudno - it's big.  Nowt.  Even though one of my directs is on a memorial transcript.

Other times I'm falling over the family at every turn.

If your family were in an area for a long time then I'm sure you'll come away less disappointed.

So many of the nation's graveyards are in decay sadly and many grave stones are so worn.

What area are you going to?

Pam

PS I'm really cheesy, I buy a bunch of flowers and leave one on every family grave I can find.  I kind of think if a fellow researcher is passing it would be good if they saw that.

[lovin lass]

hi pam
my research is in handsworth area of birmingham most my family were from there and still have family there
this louisa whos grave my auntie going to see use to live in the same road as were my birth mother lived and were i lived before i was adopted,i find this facinating
my auntie taking a bunch of flowers to you not cheesy at all
sadley i dont live in b,ham any more i live in wales but hoping one day my auntie will take me to see louisas grave she going to take picture for me and emailing it
best wishes angie

[Su]

I went to St. Werberg in Warburton (a beautiful old church) looking for my Grt Grt Grandparents, but sadly couldn'd find them, then to Bowdon Parish Church looking for my Grt Grandparents and again couldn't find them.  I was really frustrated.  I'm still hoping that one day I will find them.

Pam I think taking flowers is a lovely idea.  After all those years, it's nice to know someone still cares.

Su

[lovin lass]

hi sue
thanks for reply
i think its lovely idea to put flowers on after all they are family arnt they
this is the first ancestors grave we have found in our family tree and we have gone back to the 17th centry with this one im so excited
i do hope you find one of your ancestors graves soon
best wishes angie xx

[Su]

Thanks Angie,

I'm really happy for you.  I know my Grt Grt and Grt Grandparents are actually in those church yards, its just that the graves are very old and worn.  I even have the plot numbers, but can't find them.

Never mind I shant give up.

Love
Su

[lovin lass]

i do hope my auntie finds my ancestors grave just to have one picture of one ancestors buriel place would be amazin

i do hope you find your ancestors buriel place
just knowing were there buried has made my day

best wishes angie x

[DebbieDee]

Hi Angie,

I also find 'gravetreking' quite emotional.

I've only recently moved near to an area where some of my ancestors once lived.  We have enjoyed visiting the villages and churches to get some idea of their lives.  Many graveyards later I had given up on the idea of actually recognising a name mainly due to the state the graves are sadly now in.

A few weeks ago I was wandering round one looking for any Assinders when I spotted a common family first name Melicent.  I commented half jokingly that she was one of mine but I didn't recognise the surname.  Looking closer I saw the words:

In memory of Mary daughter of Edward & Melicent Woore who died May 18th 1835 aged 1 year and 9 months.  

Ah! Weep not o'er thy infant's grave.
Fond mother weep not so;
Thy tender plant from earth remov'd.
In heaven shall ever blow.

I sat there having a quiet sniffle and saw underneath almost hidden by grass:

Also Joseph Assinder of this Parish died December 24th 1858 aged 73 years.

I've since found out that this Joseph was my 4xgreat grandfather and Melicent was his daughter.

Debbie

[lovin lass]

hi debbie
what a lovely story
and what a lovely verse

got tear in my eye

when my foster mum died my husbands auntie took a picture of all the flowers at the grave i know its morbid but how lovely to pass on to my children if they ever get interested in family history
best wishes angie x