Find Ancestors

Hi,
I now have the exact date of death for my Grandmother..and I know in my heart it confirms where buried..
But how on earth do I find out where abouts in the Churchyard is my Grandmother ? I have written to the secretary of the churches in that Parish..who said they cant help.
Has anyone at all any idea ????
Fingers and toes crossed
Christine x

It might be that no-one from the Church has the time to pursue your enquiry. Is there a local family history society who may be able to help, or asking someone on here if anyone lives in the vacinity and may be able to combine looking for your relative if they were seeking theirs, in the same location. -JLe

Thankyou so much Janet and Joan...
I was so dissapointed when the Secretary got back to me and said he could not help..
The burial was in 1947 ..My Grandmother lived just a few mins walk from the Churchyard..
My Dads last wish was to be buried there ..and so he was..my Brother is there too..
Any suggestions are so welcome....as I am so desperate, I will be going to the Church in August ..
Thankyou so much for your help on this....I am very grateful Honestly
Christine x

Have you tried writing to the vicar at the church concerned?

I looked up a burial at my local church for someone on here. I rang the chap in charge of the burials (cannot remember his title) but he met me at the church, we went into the vestry, and he had a huge plan of the churchyard showing all the burials. Then he walked me to the right plot - there was no headstone so I would have struggled without his help.

If you wrote to the vicar he would pass your letter to whoever does that job at that church and they should be able to help.

Jill

Dear Jill,
I was told by the person who first told me about the secretary not to do that as they were so busy...But you know..I am going to !!! Gosh how lovely for you..to be walked right up to the plot ...I know my Grandmother Lily probebly has no headstone....I have searched and searched that graveyard each year I am in Durham,
Tonigh I will draft a pleading letter...I am so desperate,I dont know what it is..but A real yearning to know about this wonderful Lady..
Thankyou so much..
Christine x

Hello,
I just thought I would write and say that I wrote to the Vicar of the Church,
and after a long delay had an email back
I was told that records that old are not held by them (1947)
I feel devestated...
I travelled up North again a few weeks ago and as always went to the graveyard...
So sad ,
Christine

Hello,
You could try the relevent County Archives.
Barry

Hi Barry,
Thanks for your reply, I contacted Durham record office about 18 months ago regarding my search...they mentioned (film I think ) But I have not a clue about micro films etc and what you do with them let alone how you access them...
I really thought the Vicar would have known something, but my quest will continue
Christine

It sounds as if Durham Archives may have a filmed copy of the burial registers.
There MUST be a record somewhere. What about if someone wanted ashes interred in an existing grave... There must be a plan available.

Microfim is easy to view at a Record Office or archive. They are just films, which have been filmed in a miniature size, so that more can be stored on one reel of film. They are viewed on special machines which magnify them to a legible size. They are usually fairly local to the actual area, although National Archives hold microfilm of events of national interest.
Staff will always help you to load the film, if you are unsure, then you can view it at your pace.

Gwyn

Thankyou Gwyn,
Its just so frustrating, No family left that is able to tell me anything, and I have tried many times to find Where my Grandmother is buried...
I live 260 miles from Durham, so you see its very difficult.
I know she must be in that garveyard..I just know...
As I know other famly members are too...Thats why my Dad insisted on being there..
Many thanks
Christine

Christine- Its just a thought but have you considered looking at the obituaries in the local paper of the time. The format nowadays has changed, in that there aren't any home addresses any more but in 1947 I would imagine that the address the cortege would leave from, together with the place of burial would be printed and the fact that you had the exact date would pinpoint where to look. Perhaps someone on here might have time to look in the local library when they visit. -JLe

Hi Janet,
I have tried just looking at the Northern echo..but only goes back a few years......
I wish there were some kind sole that could help me find my Grandmother,
Thankyou Janet
Christine

I wonder if a churchyard burial plan is lodged with the local council.
You could try their offices, although they may only deal with cemeteries and not churchyards.

Gwyn

Approaching this from a diiferent direction....
Do you know which funeral directors carried out the service for any of your family?

They might be able to tell you who can help with your quest.

Gwyn

Don't know if I am being of any help at all, but I wanted to find my mother's grave some years ago in Bootle Cemetry near Liverpool. I wrote to the Corporation of Bootle asking about it. Actually though I knew the date of mum's death in 1955. They were very helpful and sold me the rights of the grave too. So I think it may be a good thing to write to the Corporation who no doubt have it registered. Hope you get a bit further says Sandra / Germany

Hi Gwyn,
I did think about ringing the council in the area. I have no idea of funeral directors.
Surely someone must hold a plan of the churchyard....
Thankyou for thinking about it Gwyn
Christine

what funeral directors did the family use for your father and brother.
im sure they can help

moonbi

Hi Christine,
I spoke to Durham Records Office last week enquiring as to where my 3x grandmother was buried. I gave them the date and place of her death in 1905 and they were very helpful. They told me where she was buried and the date. They could not however give me the grave number as it wasn't listed in their records. I phoned the vicar of the church who told me they have a service on a Thurs. morning and I was welcome to call in and have a look at their graveyard records which are in the church.
I'm going up to Durham next week so I will be calling in to look at the records and hopefully find the grave.
If you mention the church in question on this site I feel sure someone will be able to help you.
Regards, Ian

Hi Christine, I have had dealing with burials in churchyard and yes, there should be a record of where your grandmother was buried. I am very surprised that the vicar wasn't courteous enough to tell you where the records are held. Many older records are held at local offices but he should know where they are. Do let us know which church this is and we can have a look round for the possible location of the records. You can pm me if you would prefer. Cx

Hello and Good Morning !!
I would loke to say many thanks for all who have helped me on here,You have all been so kind and thoughtful..and given me hope..
The Church is
St Helens
Kelloe
Durham........I was in fact born at Kelloe many moons ago.
My Grandmother...Lily Lowther died aged 60 on 20 Dec 1947,
She used to live a stones through away from St Helens Church.
From what I remember of my Dad telling me, there must be other family members there.....But Lily is always in my thoughts.
Gosh How wonderful it would be..to travel again to Durham next year,
But this time to know, and place some flowers,

Thankyou all so much
Christine