Hi All,
How did it go? Well it was definitely a ‘positive’ response.
Mr D.L. was very Nice and listened to what we had to say. (He was interested!!) He was Very Happy that we had taken an interest in the General Cemetery, and thought the idea of Transcribing and mapping was a very good idea. And the Cemeteries & Bereavement Services are quite positive to that idea.
The only one point that has to be checked out in a more Legal sense is the Photographing; this seems to be a bit of a GREY AREA right now. Mr D.L. is going to look into more for us. As the Gravestones are on the Property of the Council, and whilst you can photograph your own family Gravestone, there are Legal Implications regarding others to publish on the internet etc., They are technically still owned by the families (descendants) of the deceased, and if any came forward to question the pictures etc., the person who took the picture can be sued!
Our aim was never to keep the photographs just to transcribe from them, and I assured him that we are fully prepared to hand these over to the Cemeteries when All Transcriptions are completed, we would like a free index for people to search, this preferably given to a library (Manchester), for all the public to view. (All transcription papers etc to be given to Library Archives)) I said that maybe Manchester Burials could make use of the photographs, for people to purchase like their burial records, this too will have possible legal implications that he said he will look into.
I told him of our visit a few weeks ago, and he did say that Police could be on hand, as he knows that is one of my concerns.
When I asked how I could take the meeting as, He said ‘POSITIVE’ I did mention this website which he said he will take a look at it. (Informed him of our posting) He is going to look a lot more into the Bereavement and Cemeteries position, as like he said they don’t want to find some ‘ancient law’ that pops up and causes a problem.
I have to say he was ‘Really Positive and Really interested’ and he could see what we wanted to accomplish and why.
I would also like to THANK!!! The two Teenage Lads who were at the Cemetery and on their own initiative were clearing and tiding the area, whilst they had to be asked to stop due to safety reasons etc., this helped, (Mr D.L,) see that this proposal is possible. If you can get Teenage lads to do this kind of thing it’s worth doing!!! These Lads had help from a Local Housing Association that provided the tools for them to clear out a nearby pond due to the bad condition it was in, and passing the Cemetery thought to do some clearing and tidying there, locals in flats rang the police thinking they were digging up graves? Needless to say we were all surprised when it became known the real reason!!
So fingers crossed Ladies and Gents, this is sounding a good possibility,
At present there is a plan in place by the B&C Services to tidy and re-erect all headstones in the Council owned Cemeteries, those broken and face down will be turned face up and kept lay down. Southern Cem is expected to be completed by April/May of next year. This apparently is hoping to happen in more Council Cem’s , the General included.
Mr D.L. is going to keep in contact with me and hopefully it’s a YES and we have a date soon!!
I will keep all informed and updated!!!
Hopefully more Volunteers will add their names and those who have can ask about to help add to our numbers!!
Cancan
A BIG 'THANK YOU TO MR D.L.'
