Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know if cemetery records of about 100 years old are open to the public to search for themselves? I know they're not at the local record office. I am going to Islington cemetery on Tuesday to see the grave of my g grandmother, and whilst I'm there I thought I would see if I could search for another ancestor's grave who died in 1906. Do you think I will be able to have access to the records? Chloe

Hi Chloe, It varies from authority to authority. Some make a charge for searching the books and do it for you. Others charge you to search for yourself. Some have maps for sale or on the web. (Lowestoft are very good) Some don't charge anything. You need to find out where the records you need are held and ask them. Gwynne

Hello Chloe, I went to Southend cemetery recently and they have records which started in 1900. I was able to search whichever year I wanted. Brilliant and very helpful. Pam.

I went to Islington a couple of months ago. I went to the office to ask for a map and the location of my Gran's grave and they were very helpful (although I didn't manage to find the grave in the end). When I was in the Office there was a chap sitting at a little table searching through original buriel records. He finished one book and handed it in and asked for the next one so it looks as tho' they will let you search yourself. I guess you might need to make an appointment. Thre are 2 million folk buried there and it's massive.You really need a car - I was on foot and ran out of time. Jill

Thanks. Think I'll be on foot though. Getting the train up to London, would be mad to drive in there!! LOL. As for an appointment, oops, well here's hoping! Chloe

That's what I thought but I'll never do it again! You have to get a tube and a bus to get to the cem and then have to walk a long way to get to the office. The Cem is very near to the North Circular. No need to go into Central London. Jill

Some places, such as Richmond on Thames council website have a searchable index of their cemeteries. nell

Thanks again. Jill - It would mean having to go on the M25 and driving in a place I do not know. I've only been driving for 4 months! Think I'll go another time and persuade someone to go with me. Still going to go to the LMA again though. Thanks Chloe

I recently found out that my local archive centre holds the burial records for this area c1860 right up to 1969 and they are on CD. I booked a couple of hours on the PC and had a fantastic afternoon! Found lots of rellies and the burial register gave so much info I was suprised. It gave name, age at death, address they died at, address they lived at if different, occupation, date of death, date of burial and obviously the grave/plot number. I managed to find my great grandfathers death which I had spent months looking for. He died in a district other than the one he lived in! I could be 100% certain it was him by the address and occupation. I'm currently compiling a list of others I need to find so I can go again! So they definately are available, just depends where they are held for the area you are interested in. Sam