Handcross records

[mandyj51]

Thank you for all the posts and offers of help. I am learning more with each one. (Especially to watch my language!) I look forward to any future developments. Thank you everyone.

Dare I ask one more question? William Snr may possibly have been buried at Christ Church, Southwark. (Sorry, I do realise this is the Sussex board.) I have been advised that his body was probably removed due to overcrowding so the grave no longer exists. Does anybody have any idea what happened to bodies removed in these circumstances?

[mandyj51]

Hi Andrea,

the death took place some time between 1814 - 1819. (Hannah Whiting nee Bishop.)

[John915]

Good evening,

Bodies are not usually exhumed and reburied unless the ground is being deconsecrated for some reason. This happens when churches are sold for developement but only if there are no living relatives for any of the occupants. Thats not to say it could'nt have happened in earlier times for whatever reason. The burial in Southwark would fit with the move to London after Hannahs death. When some of the London cemetarys became full large overflow cemetarys were created outside of London. Brookwood in Surrey was one of these originally, it even had it's own branch line and station to take the coffins right there ready for burial.
Had hoped to get to one of the churches tonight but did'nt finish work until 6-30 and have to collect OH from work at 7 on Tuesdays.

John915

[mandyj51]

Hi John,

The burial ground was re-landscaped as a public garden in 1900 so if William is still there I doubt I'll be able to locate him. His final resting place may now be marked by a public bin. I'm hoping the church at least retained the grave stones. (I read that they may be propped up against the railings.) I was born and raised in London and I can remember more than enough open spaces without this needing to be done. I'm not for it at all.

It would be great to locate Hannah's final resting place. It would also hopefully provide us with a year of birth for her as we are itching to try and go further back with the family tree. Not sure what OH means? Your help is very much appreciated at your earliest convenience. Thank you John.

 

[John915]

Good evening,

Other Half, the good wife, you will see many abreviations used on roots chat. Some are easy some are not.

John915

[John915]

Good morning Mandy,

Sorry not to have been about much this week but very busy at work as it's been hot. Went to the baptist chapel last Sunday and spoke to a couple of people. They dont have a complete record of everyone who is buried there. Most of the graves from the 1800s are unreadable now, there were some that had wooden markers often known as bedhead memorials as that is what they resemble. Unfortunatley they have rotted away completely and there are also many which never had markers of any sort.
They are doing a little research for me though. Also the Catholic church in Staplefield was previously a Baptist chapel as well and may have some burials around the back but only a very small plot. It is believed to have been something else before that but don't know what as yet. Will try to find out as there was reference to the Congregational chapel in Staplefield.
Iv'e lived here for 30 yrs and found out more over the past couple of weeks than I have in all that time.

John915