Who do I contact for Paulton Cemetery?

[Jan B]

Hi Bagpuss Janet,
I phoned Paulton Council yesterday and got through to the right person.  She asked me to email her the details, and she would look in the burial books for me.   I emailed her yesterday, and I guess now I have to patiently wait till I hear back from her.

Jan

[Bagpuss_Janet]

Excellent - finger's crossed then. 

[Jan B]

Hi Janet,
I'm excited!   Just after I wrote to you on here, Paulton council replied to me, and have found Richard's burial - he is buried in Paulton cemetery.
This is what she has sent me:-

 Richard Elms, aged 75 years, date of burial 27 October 1887.  Unconsecrated side of the cemetery Section A, row R no 3.
The reference number in the main burial register is 129

You very kindly offered to see if you could find his grave and take a photo of it.
Would this still be possible please?

Jan

[Bagpuss_Janet]

Sure thing!   

Not sure when I'll be able to go, but I'll try and do it as soon as possible. 

One thing, you put 1887 in your first post, and 1987 in your last!  I'm presuming it's the older one? 

ETA: I'm sure it must be! 

[Jan B]

Hi Janet,
Opps I did a blunder with the last date!      I've just altered it to the correct year of 1887.   

Thanks for offering to go - there's no rush, just whenever you are able to.
I really appreciate your offer.

Jan

[Bagpuss_Janet]

No problem. It's really not very far away, but it's been wet for the last few days (although it's meant to be better this week).  I'd like the grass to have a chance to dry out a bit!

Please, if I haven't done it within two weeks, give me a nudge - I mean it - I won't take offence! 

[Jan B]

Ok Janet,  I'll remember to give you a nudge!   

[Bagpuss_Janet]

I managed to go to Paulton cemetery today, but I'm afraid I was unsuccessful.    There is no clear indication as to which bit is unconsecrated (I looked for headstones with no religious wording) and there are no row markers (not that I expected there would be) - I tramped up and down between all the graves and found some Elms, but not Richard.

Albert Henry Elms
Beloved Husband of Violet
born 23 April 1912
died 1 December 1977

Violet May Elms
born 8 October 1908
died 23 December (1985, I think but could be 1935)

Renunited

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In loving memory of
Henry William Elms
died September 20, 1907
Aged 51 years

In the midst of life we rest in death

Sarah Elms
Died February 3, 1926
aged 73 years

At rest with the Lord

I don't know if they're connected.  There are quite a few graves with no headstones at all so it's possible he doesn't have one/it was removed.

I wonder if the lady at Paulton Council might have a map/plan of the cemetery which could give me more of a clue -  it is possible I missed it, as the rows aren't all regimented.

[Jan B]

Hi Janet,
Many thanks for going to the cemetery for me. 
Also thanks for the Elms names you have found for me.  I've just traced them back through the census's and don't think they are related to my Elms - though they could be way back before the 1841 census.  Will keep the names in case I can link them in the future. 

I phoned Judith Pluckmett again this afternoon at Paulton Parish Council.  She asked me to give her the grave number again, and she looked on her computer to see if that section has any headstones. Unfortunatley it hasn't, so it looks like Richard's grave is unmarked.
I explained to her that you had been looking this morning, and  I asked if she had a map of the cemetery,  she offered to meet you at the cemetery and show you the grave if you phoned her up next week.
I don't want to put you out though, seeing as you have already been, so I'll understand if you are not able to go again.

A very big thank you again.

Jan