Awaiting clearing
Time is running out
Mel Boyle tells us about the work to record the graves at Down Cemetery, Trowbridge
“I
have recently joined Friends of the Down Cemetery (FOTDC) to try and locate my
Great Grandparents’ graves. They passed away in 1935 and 1953, long before I was born.I was surprised to find out that there weren’t electronic records available to locate the graves, the plans only show surnames.”
The Down Cemetery is a grade II listed Victorian cemetery, which opened on the 13th December 1855.
Genealogists love cemeteries as they can reveal both births and deaths, and if family history records are lacking in other areas it is the gravestones that reveal so much information about forebearers. In addition sculptures, carvings, architecture, the choice of stone and the cemetery design all reveal past traditions and even events that affected the town or village where the cemetery is located.
“Time is running out as the grave stones are deteriorating,” added Mel.
Gravestones can be made from a variety of materials including marble, slate, sandstone and granite. However they are all
After 12 | Lifein | April | 01380 734376
exposed to the elements and weathering results from the affects of sun, wind, rain, extremes in temperature, atmospheric pollution, lichens, mosses, ivy, even roots and subsidence all play a part in their deterioration:“When it gets to this stage the information is lost forever.
“Through help from the Friends of the Down Cemetery and the staff at the History Centre in Chippenham,
Overgrown areas
I am hoping to be able to locate the graves soon.
“Visiting the cemetery, there are a number of graves overgrown with brambles. The photos below show the before and after of one of the graves we have cleared.”
“We are hoping to get as many people as possible to help clear the graves of brambles so that we can transcribe
Before clearing brambles from a grave
© Photos by Melanie Boyle
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