Port Glasgow Cemetery- Common Ground?

[caroline2910]

Hi Everyone

I rang the Burial Office today in search of a plot number for a relative who passed in 1910. I was told that there was no number or record of where she was buried, just that she was buried on common ground? Not sure exactly what common ground is? I am pretty sure that her grave would not have a headstone either, does this mean I won't be able to find the exact location of her grave?  I live in Australia so I'm not familiar with the layout of Port Glasgow Cemetery, but was hoping to be able to visit a few graves in the future.

Thanks

Caroline

[Skoosh]

Caroline, I would guess it was where the "Poor" were buried.    Skoosh.

[caroline2910]

Thanks for the reply Skoosh. Being buried in the 'poor' section would make sense, hence no head stone. Would the 'common ground'  then refer to a particular section of the cemetery? and I still thought that they would have recorded details or a plot number, even if it was the poor section  

[Skoosh]

Caroline, I would fancy they allocated a long plot and gradually filled it, there would be no stones. Maybe wooden markers which would perish.  A lot of folks never bothered with a headstone who owned a plot, there were more pressing demands on the cash.
 The Greenock Telegraph is a good source of birth/death & marriage, in that neck of the woods. I believe there is an online catalogue at the Watt Library, Greenock's site.

[caroline2910]

Ah I see. Didn't consider the idea of a long plot, how sad. There was no notice for this relatives death, she was just a baby and her parents were quite young. Seems like there isn't much hope of narrowing down any further a place of rest. 

Thanks for your help. 

[Skoosh]

Caroline, often with babies they would be tucked alongside whatever adult had a grave dug at the time, if the family had no lair of their own.    Skoosh

[Carrie-Boyd]

If you have other family buried in the cemetary you may find the baby listed on their headstone, is the case with my family in the Port.  Headstones list family members who died not who is in the actual lair.  Greenock crematorium can tell you what plot it is if you have a name and date of death.