General Chat

* Remembers the grave hunting with Kitty last year in Sussex and the patience of her young daughter while the adults were
'sure it's here somewhere' *

Gwyn

I have to agree with everything that has been said. Yes, my family think I am mad but they are used to it now.

Not long ago I went to spend the day with my daughter who suffers with depression. To get her out of the house I asked her if she would come with me to a graveyard in a village not far from where she lives. It was a beautiful day, and when we arrived at the church we found a war memorial with details of a gt uncle and then set off to search the grave stones. I gave her the names of the people I was looking for and we separated to search the churchyard. It was so peaceful and tranquil that I just knew that it would do her good. We didn't find any more info but we did locate the cottage where my gt gt grandparents had lived in the village.
She said how much she had enjoyed the day, but I didn't realise how much of an impression it had made on her until a few weeks later. She told me that she had returned to the church several times, just to sit quietly and think about her situation.
I like to think that those gt gt grandparents who I never knew, are helping their gt gt gt grandaughter get well again.

Frances

I don't really get funny looks from my folks for doing it\

BUT

I definitely don't think they understand. They don't get how peaceful and respectful I think it is to go have a nose around & see who I can find.

Maria xxxx

My screensaver is a slideshow of my photos..............there's a collective "OH Mum!!" every time a gravestone appears:))))

xx

Hi Mathew,
I was delighted to see this thread, if only to know I am not alone. Last summer I decided to realise a long time ambition. I wanted to visit a graveyard in Essex, where I knew generations of my ancestors originated.
Leaving home in the middle of the night, armed with a can of shaving cream and a squeegee to pick out worn lettering, a flask and a pack of sandwiches, I made the five hour drive to Essex, arriving just after dawn. Spent seven hours in the graveyard, accompanied some of the time by the local vicar, who was very interested. Made copious notes, took dozens of photo's, and drove the 250 miles back home again, arriving in the early hours. Tired but happy.
My OH said she was sure it was grounds for divorce on grounds of Unreasonable Behaviour - if she didn't have me sectioned under the Mental Health Act first.
It was a very worthwhile excercise - I found information that would not be found in any census, or any other records.

I may be deranged..........but I'm happy

Tec.

Family are used to our funny ways by now, but OH did get strange looks when work collegues asked if he'd enjoyed his long weekend off work and he produced lots of pictures of graves.
We even managed a bit of grave-spotting when we went to New Zealand last year. One of Mum's relatives had travelled out there c. 1859 and it was a strange moment to be able to stand at his grave and reflect on his life and the line of our family that he started out there. I'd visited the church in a Herefordshire village, where he'd been christened and I stood at his grave and felt I'd visited on behalf of all his English family.

Gwyn

It's odd but it's the one thing my OH never minds doing ... he's not that interested in the family history but he's quite happy to help me find gravestones.

Mind you, we've always been looking around them on fine days so I'm not sure what he'd be like if it was pelting down with rain!

Jill

To be honest I think some people find it really creepy..I must admit I love going round and finding out info..Good for you

Well Matthew, my husband's face was a picture when I told him HE had bought me (on his credit card) today, the Memorial Inscriptions for a family cemetery.

Priceless. lol

Dianne xx

Does anyone else get the stare of disgust/fear from their families when you say that you're going to a cemetery to find some relatives? And you try explaining to them that no, it isnt the most glamorous part of family history but its useful information that needs to be found, but they still can't quite get it!

Does anyone else have the same problem?