St James Church Dover

[chris2705]

Hi, hoping that someone can help with this one...

My G, G, Grandmother was buried at St. James Church in 1902. Having had a quick look online, I have found that the church was badly damaged during WWI and WWII and is now a ruin. The churchyard was paved over and is now a car park. Does anyone know when this happened and also what became of those buried there? I have seen on a local site that some where re-buried in the town and others cremated and the gravestones used for paving. Are there any records of individual reburials?

Many thanks,

Chris

[chris2705]

I have had some help via a local history site who pointed me in the direction of Dover Council who have the records and I have found my G, G, Grandmother and by chance her son who shares her plot.

[Bill749]

Hi Chris

You are quite correct about the church.  The majority of the remains were re-buried in the cemetery.  Many of the stones were indeed used as paving.  However, by 1902 the burials would have been in the new cemetery and not in the churchyard, so there is a possibility that you could still find the stone.

If you telephone or e-mail Dover District Council and give them the details they will be able to locate the grave for you and will put a marker on it to make it easier to find.  Once you have a location I would be happy to go and take a photo of the grave when the weather improves (we have got snow at the moment!).

The burial records are available on microfilm at Canterbury Cathedral Archives and in Dover library.  If you don't have any luck with DDC, let me have the full details I will have a look next time I'm in the library.

Best wishes
Bill

[chris2705]

Hi Bill

Thank you very much for replying. I was initially confused as I had been told by a family member that she was buried at "St. James, Dover" which is what led me first to the church. I have since found that there is a newer cemetery also called St.James (which I believe is part of Charlton Cemetery) on the Old Charlton Road which is what you have confirmed. I did contact Dover Council who were most helpful and they have given me the plot location which is Pj1. They also confirmed something that I had never known in that her son (my great grandfather) is buried in the same plot.

Your offer to take a photo is extremely kind and one that I would be very pleased to see if and when you are able.

All the best,

Chris

[Bill749]

Hi Chris
Can you give me the names so I can confirm I have the right plot?
Regards,
Bill

[chris2705]

Hi Bill

They are Ellen MN Browning d1902 and Arthur Browning d1913

All the best, Chris

[Bill749]

Hi Chris

I had a look at the cemetery today and found the plot.  Unfortunately there is no stone.

Regards, Bill

[chris2705]

Dear Bill,

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this. It is incredibly kind of you. It is a shame that there is no stone and rather curious given that both the plot occupants had family living close by at the time. I guess that it is one of those mysteries that will probably remain unanswered. It does make me think that maybe a chat to some family members might be in order to rectify things?

Once again many thanks,

Chris

[Bill749]

It is a shame, but not so unusual - my paternal family has NO marked graves unless they are war graves!