Family research and Family search

We have been busy over the last week or two helping families find their ancestor’s resting places.

People often contact the Friends of Holbeck Cemetery to ask us to pinpoint their ancestor’s memorials – not an easy task for anyone. Our cemetery plans don’t show the paths  and each plot marked is only 1cm. in length, so it’s always easier if we can meet the family in person. Obviously this isn’t always possible but family researchers are a keen bunch and last week we had Sue  & Andrew Jubb from Cheshire who were looking for her Goodhind , Mallinson  and Endeacott family plots. She had found some old notes from her Aunty which indicated the plot number and who was buried there. Her 91 year old father had remembered another plot number that he had noted down in the past when he came to his Uncle Arthur Goodhind’s funeral . So with plans in hand the search began. Thankfully they arrived just as the rain had stopped and the sun came out, so it was a pleasant search . Luckily we managed to find all  three plots ; two vaulted large monuments , which were readable , but  the third plot had a gravestone that was face down so no information could be gleaned from thatone . These were all next to each other which made the search easier

Another family also met us at the same time . Naomi and her family were from Drighlington and their ancestor’s ,called Hayley, or Haley, plots were scattered all around the general side of the cemetery,. Their task was very difficult as one of the Haley’s was in a guinea graves         ( These graves which are scattered around the cemetery have up to 42 names on , covering both sides of the stone. ) They found  the plot  among the guinea graves  but sadly there was only a space- not a stone. However later they managed to find another  plots that they were looking for  and this one was at the opposite side of the cemetery , near to Beeston Road !!

Then this week Ian Morrell contacted us from Pudsey , he was looking for several Barugh or  Baraugh family plots. These were also scattered throughout the cemetery. So Ian and Ken set out on their search dodging through the breezy, rain  storms  but sadly this time, they only managed to find one. Interesting Ian  also had an ancestor buried in a guinea grave and he also only found an empty plot.

An interesting note from Ian was that Holbeck Cemetery’s archives of graves are now digitised and are available to search at LCC Farnley Hall site near Pudsey .  This should make it easier for people who are trying to locate their family plots.

receipt books 1857 onwards