Author Topic: People sharing a grave  (Read 579 times)

Offline seamoon24

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People sharing a grave
« on: Thursday 21 October 21 14:00 BST (UK) »
Hi - I'm researching Joseph Sugden b 02/02/1884 - he seems to have died in an accident at work according to a newspaper article published in the Yorkshire Evening Post on 11/12/1903 which seems correct as he was living in Fern Street, Leeds at the time. I've found a photo of a grave which may be his but he is sharing the grave with 10 others who aren't connected to him. Why would this be. I wouldn't have thought its a paupers grave with such an elaborate headstone. I would be grateful for any suggestions.

Offline arthurk

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Re: People sharing a grave
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 21 October 21 14:18 BST (UK) »
It's not a pauper's grave, as that wouldn't have a headstone. The Friends of Beckett Street Cemetery have some FAQs which describe a grave like this as an Inscription Grave, or a Guinea Grave - see https://www.beckettstreetcemetery.org.uk/faq.php

Even if this isn't at Beckett Street, I've a feeling there were similar arrangements at other cemeteries in the Leeds area.

Offline Calverley Lad

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Re: People sharing a grave
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 21 October 21 15:59 BST (UK) »
The above grave is at Leeds Holbeck Cemetery grave No 8564 consecrated section.
Yewdall/Yewdell/Youdall -Yorkshire

Offline ThrelfallYorky

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Re: People sharing a grave
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 21 October 21 16:17 BST (UK) »
I seem to recall that for a comparatively modest sum, an inscription could be put on a communal headstone - not as posh as a family grave, but a step up from an unmarked common grave. Sometimes I seem to recall Friendly Societies or similar may be involved. Could that be what happened there?
TY
Threlfall (Southport), Isherwood (lancs & Canada), Newbould + Topliss(Derby), Keating & Cummins (Ireland + lancs), Fisher, Strong& Casson (all Cumberland) & Downie & Bowie, Linlithgow area Scotland . Also interested in Leigh& Burrows,(Lancashire) Griffiths (Shropshire & lancs), Leaver (Lancs/Yorks) & Anderson(Cumberland and very elusive)


Offline Crumblie

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Re: People sharing a grave
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 21 October 21 17:17 BST (UK) »
A guinea was what it cost for the inscription hence a guinea grave. No coffins were involved and one grave in Holbeck Cemetery Leeds has over 30 people in it. The graves were often left open until they were full which was probably very distressing for the families of those interred there.

Offline seamoon24

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Re: People sharing a grave
« Reply #5 on: Thursday 21 October 21 18:15 BST (UK) »
Thanks everybody for your help. The grave of Joseph is in Holbeck cemetery which has quite a few guinea graves. I've never come across them before.