Thomas Gibson Birkenhead

[AlecJBriggs]

Hi

I am trying to locate the burial records for Thomas Gibson died 23rd May 1919 at 2 St Marys Gate Birkenhead. He was 35, a sheet iron worker from Dundee, previously lived in Newcastle. Trying to find Grandads grave location, any help would be greatly appreciated even if it is only to point me in the right direction. Thanks Alec

[andycand]

Hi

Earlier topic

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,587934.0.html

Andy

[Neptune]

Hi Alec

The burial records for some of the cemeteries and churchyards in Birkenhead are held on microfilm(according to religion) at Birkenhead Central library and Wirral Archives.
I called in to the library today and looked up the record for you. Thomas is buried in Flaybrick cemetery.-

Thomas Gibson  2 St Mary's Gate age 35 Sheet Iron Worker
Burial 28th May 1919 Flaybrick Cemetery Roman Catholic Section 3 grave 468a - private grave.

We had a look around the cemetery on the way back - as it was such nice weather!
Unfortunately couldn't find a headstone. This section is right at the back of the cemetery and sadly many of the graves have been vandalised.  There aren't many headstones - just grass - we had a look around but couldn't see a headstone or even where number 468a should be - I wish I could have found the grave for you but at least you know where your grandad is buried.

There doesn't always seem to be any logic to the numbering system and it varies on different sections.
Next time I'm there I'll have another look.

Hope this helps

Regards

Neptune   

[AlecJBriggs]

Neptune

That is so kind of you, I can't tell you how much I appreciate you going to all that trouble for me.

It's a good job there are people like you in the world, makes it all worthwhile.

Thank you and Take care of yourself you are a special person.

Alec

[Neptune]

Hi Alec

You're welcome -
It really wasn't any trouble especially as I often go past Flaybrick cemetery. This section - and others - have areas that are just grass so its difficult to work out the exact location of a grave. I was told some time ago that many of the graves did have side rails but these were removed by the council to make it easier to cut/maintain the grass - not that there's much evidence of that now! Maybe this is what happened to Thomas'grave.

We had another wander around today and were able to work out the general area where 468a
might be and took a couple of photos - but you can't make out where individual graves would be - just a general view.

Some of my own relatives are buried in the next section and the same thing has happened .

I think St Mary's gate was near St Mary's church which used to be the parish church of Birkenhead but is no longer there. One of the main employers were Cammell Laird shipbuilders/Birkenhead Iron works -just nearby - so it could be possible that Thomas might have worked there if his occupation was an iron worker.

Sorry we couldn't find the exact location of the grave but hoped this has helped.

Regards

Neptune