Sunday, May 06, 2007

It’s a Grave Situation


 

Did you read the recent article on old graves? It seems that many of the older graves are going to be reused due to the shortage of burial plots. The largest cemetery in the country is the one at the City of London where at least 1000 graves have been reused with, in some cases, the old gravestones being put face down and inscribed with the new occupants details. The New Scientist has pointed out that the problem is even worse in Singapore where the graves site is only guaranteed for 15 years before the resident is dug up and the grave reused. Occasionally the occupants of two graves are combined. What would your thoughts be on finding that your relative is now buried with a total stranger? The visitors to the City of London cemetery are now coming across notices which read "This memorial has been identified for possible reclamation. If you visit this grave please contact the Conservation Team." Keep a watch on your family monuments for they could end up being recycled.

I noticed that the General Registry Office at Southport is reaching its goals 100% of the time. When this is 2,000,000 certificates in one year I find that impressive. If you would like to know how it is done then you could always visit the office on the Open Days in June just contact the Public Relations Unit on 0151 471 4530.

During some research on the registers of Folkingham I found an item of interest. The entry said "The Most Noble John Marquis of Granby & Peer of Folkingham buried May 17th 1790. A Pauper & died by Dancing once a slack rope." Any idea what the slack rope was? It wasn't dancing on the end of a rope by any chance?

For sale on eBay recently was a document for WIGTOFF for the Lease of two parcels of land John NEWZAM of Wigtoff, Farmer and George CASSWELL of Wigtoff, Grasier and is dated 16 August 1809 in the 49th year of the reign of King George III. It refers to All that piece of pasture land in Wigtoff called Low Catherine or Low Cattering Toft of 5 acres, abutting on Staggot's Lane. Also a piece of pasture land in Wigtoff called High Catherine Toft and Davis Green of 7 acres abutting on a Division drain between Wigtoff and Swineshead. The name NEWZAM is fairly local and a variation of NEWSHAM. Originally coming from places such as Newsham, Newham or Newholme. CASSWELL has a great many variations from KERSWILL to CRASWELL to CRESSELL and any combination you can think of. The original holder of the name was a dweller by the water-cress stream and comes from the Old English cærse wiella and survives today as the name of many villages throughout England.

Bits and Bobs

LRSM - 5th October 1821 - Whereas, William MIDDLETON, late of East Kirkby in the county of Lincoln, labourer, did about 4 or 5 weeks ago, desert his wife, who is since become chargeable to the Parish of Spalding, in the said county. Whoever will apprehend the said William MIDDLETON, and give notice to Mr. Thos. NORTH, Assistant Overseer of the Parish of Spalding, shall receive Two Guineas Reward. NB. William MIDDLETON is a jollyish man, about 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, with dark hair inclined to grey and is upwards of 50 years of age.

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