Widley and Old Purbrook.

[alunno-a]

Hi all,

Some local knowledge needed, please!

I have the chance to be in the Portsmouth area next week and wanted to visit the Churchyards around that (should) contain the ancestor's graves. -Farlington, N&S Hayling, Wymering and Widley. But am I right ( having been Googling) that Widley Church is now demolished and all the gravestones removed?
If so, does anyone know where they are, if they were recorded, and where I can access MIs? Is the site worth visiting now? 
Also, are there any gravestones left at the 2? churches on Hayling Island?

Any help gratefully received....(am looking for names Miles, Palmer, Vallar, Ivemy, Sparkes, Legg(e) and Toms.

My Miles lot were blacksmiths at Purbrook, does anyone know where the smithy was?

Thank-you,
Sally

[Little Nell]

The churchyards at North & South Hayling do still contain gravestones, as does Wymering.

Widley church (St Mary Magdalene) was demolished in 1953. The outline of it can still be seen in the churchyard near Mill Farm at Widley.  The churchyard would appear to have been cleared of stones    See this link for some more information:

http://www.portsdown-tunnels.org.uk/

It doesn't look much now.

Hampshire GS publish many monumental iscriptions which can be purchased as an electronic download:

http://www.hgs-familyhistory.com/shop/monumental-inscriptions/

(Have to admit that something doesn't seem quite right with the linkat the moment - it used to work!  )

A word of caution, not every grave was necessarily marked with a headstone.  Many families could not afford them.  I have no idea how well off your families were, but perhaps don't expect to find a stone for everyone you seek.

Nell

[alunno-a]

Thank-you Nell. As I am pressed for time I may not bother with Widley then!
I did not really think I would find gravestones of the ancestors ( anywhere except Farlington, where I know some exist), as apart from them being as common as muck, the stones would be too early for hope of survival. I just wanted to get "the lie of the land", record names of contemporaries if any, and of old families in the area, etc., as general background. And look for later,modern, descendants or possibles.

Thank-you for the quick reply and help. Much appreciated.

[whiting]

Hello Sally,
If you are still pursuing your family history - l have a file of documents on the Miles family of Purbrook including some old family photos etc from the blacksmith times to recent times which l am about to bin.  Let me know if you are interested in having them sent to you.
Richard