Manchester General Cemetery On Winter Break until 2013

[Barbara.H]

Any idea what the Council's schedule is? And if its possible to be in the cemetery at the same time as they are working?

Reason I ask is, I might be able to do an extra weekday in a couple of weeks when schools are on half term (with OH or family member, not alone). Or maybe the bank holiday Monday. Middle son is (supposed to be) revising for GCSEs so we aren't going anywhere!

But if the Council are locking people out while they operate the machinery, I wouldn't want to make the journey for nothing

  Barbara

[Cancan]

Hi Barbara,

Council are slow to reply to emails and even worse to get on the phone??

We were asked by Dominic if we'd like to be there when they erect the stones., as we asked for in the beginning. As most of us work, it is hard for a lot of us to get there.  That email was last Wednesday, replied to it, but heard nothing since??

'goldy' offered to do some days and I can do odd Mondays (as day off work)

Awaiting a reply to email sent this morning to Council 

Haven't posted for the Bank Holiday Sunday/Monday in case others had other plans, but myself and beannie can be there.

'goldy' popped to Cem this morning to have a word with Council workers to see what the plan and schedule is, and it seems it was a 'No Show' for them, but she has very kindly been taking photo's of Gravestones that are on the ground face up or leaning forward. These are the ones we are hoping to get done before they are planted in the ground.  The Stones that are face down are the ones we could possibly miss, unless the inscription is at the top of the stone only, therefore not buried.

We are not locked out, as such, pedestrian gate is open, it is the cars we cannot take in on Sundays, which means parking round the corner at the flats.  A couple of ladies visiting the Cem, couldn't get in like us, who were hoping to visit a grave.  But we don't want our cars out of site, in the area??

I will try again in the morning if 'No' reply today!

Cancan

Good Luck to your Son with Revising and Exams, have Niece same age doing Same!!!

[Spatts]

The idea of planting the stones at the MGCP by the Council seems a bit of a worthless point as regards the project, surely the best idea would be to lay them flat, we can then take pictures of them & add them to the plot plans we have struggled with.

I mean by the hard work of removing soil from the top of stones to get the inscription. If someone from the Council came down & seen what we are actually doing, they would understand that it would be of great benefit to the Project, the Council, Manchester Burial Services & Genealogists struggling to find their ancestor's resting place.

Surely, it makes sence to lay the stones flat, once we have pictures of them & plans of where they are, then it won't matter what the weather does to them over the years to come. I would hope the Council can understand our predicament caused by the decision to plant them into the ground.

We live in hope.

Spatts.

[Cancan]

Hi spatts,

Whilst the Council are pleased the project is happening, they wouldn't allow it to interfere with their plans.

Laying stones flat is the right way of things we think for this Cemetery, but only time will tell?

This is why a project like ours is important to Family Historians & Genealogists.

The fact that we are over 50% completed now, shows it can be done.

Hopefully others will be inspired to ask their local Council to do the same for their Cemeteries, possibly with positive replies to negatives and a little more interest.

Determination, persistence, having a good laugh and recognising the fact that it is all worthwhile  has keep us ALL coming each visit. 

We've a BRILLIANT TEAM, and we're sure to continue to be friends after!!

Cancan

[Cancan]

A member of our team, is taking a well deserved break.

Have a great Holiday Luzzu!!!


MGCTP Team!!!

[Cancan]

                                    Showers! Showers! Showers!

But it still doesn't stop us!!

We now have 95% of the Cemetery mapped, and it still throws up surprises!!!

A member of the Council Workers Team who is re-erecting the Gravestones has very kindly said he will photograph the Gravestones with Inscriptions that are to be placed below soil level.  We are still though going to turn up on days and take photo's ourselves and do our project work!!

I would like to thank 'The Team' for turning up in all weathers!!!

Cancan

[Cancan]

                                       100% Mapped 

                    Today saw the finish of the mapping of the General Cemetery!

The work being done by the Council is making the Cemetery look a lot tidier, the grass has also been cut, and part of the downed fencing re-erected. Ivy has also been cleared from the gravestones.

We are getting photo's of the gravestones who's inscription is being placed below soil level, so this is a great bonus!!

Dates posted for June, hope to see everyone!! And the weather to stay good!!

Cancan

[Viktoria]

Well done everyone who has worked so hard.

All who have relatives buried there will be very grateful I am sure, it will be much easier to find them now.
Such a lot of hard work over a long time and in dreadful weather is really worthy of  recognition.
So  once again well done and thank you .
                                                                   Viktoria.

[Luzzu]

Just received a couple of "thank yous" via the MGCTP website:-

The excellent work being carried out on the Manchester General Cemetery Transcription Project has led to the discovery of my gt, gt grandparents grave and headstone having laid forgotten for all this years.  I thank you most sincerely for your efforts. Well done. Colin.

Many thanks to all the volunteers for your dedicated hours of work transcribing and photographing the graves in Manchester General Cemetery.  I am in Australia and so am entirely reliant on the work of others to gain this kind of information on my ancestors burials.  Thanks to you I have now found the grave of my 3 x gt grandparents and am extremely grateful to you all.  Thanks again and best wishes. Shirley.

Luzzu