Thomas and Ann Bill lost 4 childen in 8 days. Elizabeth (14), John (2), Abigail (10) and Catharine (5).

 St Mary the Virgin and St Chad, Brewood, Staffordshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A large church with a large churchyard around it. We were pleased to find some spendid tombs inside the building.

Thomas and Ann Bill lost 4 childen in 8 days. Elizabeth (14) on April 18th, John (2) on April 21st, Abigail (10) on April 24th and Catharine (5) on April 26th.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The memorial to Commander Bridgeman in the form of the "Ship of Souls".

 St Andrew, Weston Under Lizard, Staffordshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

Situated in the grounds of Weston Hall.

 

The memorial to Commander Bridgeman in the form of the "Ship of Souls".

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The S.S. Quetta sunk off the coast of Australia in February 1890. Of the 292 people on board 134 died.

 All Saints, Trefonen, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

Many of the village's local facilities were built to service the expanding working population of the 18th and 19th centuries and so the Malthouse was built in 1720, the Barley Mow public house in 1760, the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel in 1795, the All Saints parish church in 1821, the school house in 1825, and the Carneddau Independent Chapel in 1832.

John Williams lost his life in the wreck of the S.S. Quetta off the coast of Australia in February 1890. Of the 292 people on board 134 died.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Two brothers, one died in the World War 1 and the other in World War 2. Their mother outlived them both.

 Wellington Cemetery, Wellington, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The cemetery was much larger than it looked from the front gate and it seemed strange to us that there wasn't any signpost on the main road indicating where the cemetery was located. Without a detailed map of the area visitors would really struggle to find it.

Two brothers, one died in the World War 1 and the other in World War 2. Their mother outlived them both.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Frederick and Martha Tommy lost 5 children, 4 of them when they were less than 1 year old.

 Whitchurch Road Cemetery, Wem, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

This was one of the coldest days we have experienced while grave hunting.

Frederick and Martha Tommy lost 5 children, 4 of them when they were less than 1 year old.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The mason seems to have had a problem with the name Rueben.

St Mary, Whixall, Shropshire 

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The church is sited some distance from any centres of population and we wondered how far the congregation has to travel to worship here.

The mason seems to have had a problem with the name Rueben.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The mason has got into a dreadful muddle with the name of the second deceased person.

 St John the Baptist, Great Bolas, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A general view

The mason has got into a dreadful muddle with the name of the second deceased person.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Thomas Bytheway was a Bevin Boy casualty, conscripted into the forces but diverted into the mines.

 Hadley Cemetery, Hadley, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A well maintained site with the graves in nice straight lines and so quick and easy to survey.

Thomas Bytheway was a Bevin Boy casualty, conscripted into the forces but diverted into the mines to fill the shortfall of manpower needed to meet the required coal output.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The deceased and I shared an interest in the group "The Eagles".

 Castle Green Cemetery, Ironbridge, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

There were a surprising number of people at the cemetery despite it being a week day.

Desparado (sic) by the group Eagles is one of my favourite songs.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

This was a particularly elaborate memorial to a single fallen soldier.

St John the Baptist, Kenley, Shropshire 

(Click on an image for a larger version)

This was a lovely location near Wenlock Edge and an excellent example of "England's green and pleasant land."

This was a particularly elaborate memorial to a single fallen soldier.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Yes, this is exactly what it looks like, dozens of old gravestones just dumped in a pile under some trees!

 St Michael and All Angels, Smethcott, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

It is a shame that we visited the church after the magnificant display of daffodils had finished.

Yes, this is exactly what it looks like, dozens of old gravestones
 just dumped in a pile under some trees!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Two brothers drowned in separate accidents, in Ireland and in Singapore, nearly nine years apart.

 Kingsland Cemetery, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

A massive cemetery requiring four separate visits to complete the survey.

Two brothers drowned in separate accidents, in Ireland and in Singapore,
nearly nine years apart.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Three sons of Lord and Lady Cawley died in the 1914-1918 war. Two were buried at Nery - 4 years apart.

 St Peter and St Paul, Eye, Herefordshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

Parts of the churchyard were a thick tangle of brambles and long grass. Some effort had been made to make the military graves accessible.

Three sons of Lord and Lady Cawley died in the 1914-1918 war. Two were buried at Nery - 4 years apart.  

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Whoever came up with this design is entitled to feel proud.

 Hereford Cemetery and Crematorium, Hereford, Herefordshire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

It took the two of us 4 hours to check every grave. This is a well-run site and the grounds with neatly mown grass and attractively presented flower beds were a credit to all concerned. We strongly approve of their policy of providing detailed maps of the site and plenty of benches for visitors to sit on.

We like memorials that tell the reader something about the deceased and whoever came up with this design is entitled to feel proud.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

The juxtaposition of a cherub and a skull seems rather incongruous.

 St Mary, Painswick, Gloucestershire

(Click on an image for a larger version)

In the churchyard Painswick has a unique collection of chest tombs and monuments from the early 17th century onwards, carved in local stone by local craftsmen. With its tombs and yews, it has been described as ‘the grandest churchyard in England’, a remark followed with the less than generous observation ‘far grander than the church itself’.

The juxtaposition of a cherub and a skull seems rather incongruous.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

George Honey was "lost at sea in a snowstorm" in 1891.

St Endelienta, St Endellion, Cornwall 

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The parish church of St Endelienta stands beside the road to Wadebridge and is a large building of the 15th century in Perpendicular style. On 25 August 2010 it was announced that the British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha had named their newborn daughter "Florence Rose Endellion" after the village.

 

Saint Endelienta (also Endelient, Edellienta or Endell) was a Cornish saint of the 5th and 6th century. She is believed to be a daughter of the Welsh King Brychan, and a native of South Wales who travelled to North Cornwall to join her siblings in converting the locals to Christianity.

 

 

George Honey was "lost at sea in a snowstorm" in 1891.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!

 

Nelson and Violet Colwill were married for 68 years.

 St Bri(d)get of Sweden, Morvah, Cornwall

(Click on an image for a larger version)

The origins of St Bri(d)get's Church are medieval but the tower is the only remaining part from this era. The rest of the church was rebuilt in 1828. This was a lovely quiet location and the swallows nesting in the porch made the visit even more memorable.

Nelson and Violet Colwill were married for 68 years.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Keep up to date with all my grave-hunting news and discoveries via my daily postings to the Social History group. Just click on the grave to apply!