Tombstone Tuesday - Clifford George & Bessie Griffin Gillespie - Danygraig Cemetery, Wales

Most of my tombstone posts are about cemeteries and graveyards in the U.S. It’s always fun when I’m able to find some in another country.

I don’t know about you, but I haven’t found burial locations easy to find in other countries.  I’ve found a few in Scotland.  You can read about them here SCOTLAND - ABERDEEN & NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY

This past week I’ve been researching my GILLESPIE family. There origins begin with Robert Gillespie & Elizabeth WESTON who were married in 1806 Markfield, Leicester, England.

Robert & Elizabeth’s great grandson, George William Beck Gillespie married Emma Jane BAKER.  As I was researching their children I came to Clifford George Gillespie born 22 Jan 1881 probably in Wellington, Somerset, England. Clifford is my maternal 2nd cousin twice removed.

Clifford married Bessie Haydon GRIFFIN about 1904 in Newport, Monmouthshire,Wales. 

My Ancestry tree started populating hints for these ancestors and low and behold there was a reference to burial records.  I was pretty happy to see that.

In the database UK and Ireland, Find a Grave® Index, 1300s-Current I was able to find Clifford and Bessie’s burial locations and view their memorials. 

FindAGrave #275545098 and #275545099.

These memorials were only added to the FindAGrave website in October 2024.  Aren’t we fortunate that people keep adding to this site?

And this also emphasizes the importance of us to keep checking various websites.

The headstone photos show an image of a headstone unlike any I have ever seen. The cemetery they are buried in has 5,881 memorials with 100% being photographed.  I scrolled through a few pages (not all of them) and didn’t see any other headstones like this one. 

I’ll be continuing my research on the Gillespie line.  I’d love to hear from you if you are connected to them.

I’d also like to hear from anyone who has seen a headstone similar to the one I’ve posted.  If so, where?

If you are related to or connected to anyone in this blog post, please get in touch.  Let’s exchange information.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2025   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

 

 

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY – Rachel Frampton, my 4th great grandmother

Courtesy of Fran Wheeler, used with permission

This is another story of never giving up and don’t stop looking.

My maternal 4^th great grandmother, Rachel Frampton, died 1 Nov 1855, probably in Lawrence County, Ohio. 

I had never located her place of burial.  I suspected she may have been buried in the same cemetery as her husband, William Gillen, but had no proof of that.  He is buried in Burlington Green Lawn Cemetery in Lawrence Co., Ohio.  I have a total of 43 ancestors buried in this cemetery.  Perhaps more, because there are probably some I haven’t learned of yet.

This is a lovely old cemetery.  I was able to visit back in 2012, but didn’t have the same base of knowledge on these ancestors that I do now.  I found a few headstones in this old cemetery, but not hers.  Was it buried?  Or did I miss it?  I don’t know.  There is no sexton nor any cemetery office to check with.

The entrance to Burlington Green Lawn Cemetery
and a partial view of the grounds

A couple of days ago I received an email saying that one of my edits to a FindAGrave memorial at that same cemetery, had been approved.  When I receive those emails I always check the memorial and make a follow up note in my Legacy program that the edit was completed.

While on the site I decided to check Green Lawn Cemetery (also known as Burlington Green Lawn Cemetery) for any other Gillen’s.  Perhaps I had missed some or there may have been new ones added.

To my complete surprise and delight, up popped a memorial for my Rachel Frampton Gillen.  AND……ta da!  There was a photo of her headstone.

The wonderful volunteer who took the photo and created the memorial also gave permission to use her photo.  I sent her a message thanking her.  Any time a volunteer takes a photo or creates a memorial for my family, I send them a thank you message.

You may visit Rachel’s memorial here #230233403.

She is indeed, buried at the same cemetery as her husband, William Gillen who had died in 1841.

Today’s Tip – Always keep checking back on various websites you use.  New information, documents, photos and in this case, memorials are always being added.

I hope you’ve had similar discoveries and will continue to have more.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2023   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

  

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ William Beechey, his wife Elizabeth and 3 children–William, Helena & Margaret

My previous posts about this family can be found here:

WEDDING WEDNESDAY ~ The marriages of my great grandaunt’s husband, William James Clifford Beechey (1860-1915), England

FOLLOW UP ~ The rest of the William Beechey story–a sad ending–he and his wife and 3 children all killed in a World War I Bombing

This is the final resting place for all 5 members of the Beechey family killed in the Zeppelin bombing in London in Sep 1915, during World War I.

Here is the headstone for the family. The photo is used with permission of Steve Johnson who added the image to FindAGrave on 10 Oct 2019.  You may visit this memorial here #201989227

 

Names on this headstone that are connected to our family are:

William J. Beechey, his wife Elizabeth E. F. Beechey and their children, Margaret Beechey, Helena Beechey and William Beechey

May they rest in peace.

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2021   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ Mary A. Bolles Hall, second wife of Rev. George Hall–1816-1893

Headstone for Mrs. Mary A. Hall - courtesy of twilson99

I submitted a request for a photograph of this headstone, via FindAGrave, in 2015.  That request was fullfilled just this month.  Never give up on your requests.  

This headstone inscription reads as follows:

Mrs. Mary A. Hall

born August 10, 1816

died October 22, 1893

Asleep in Jesus

Mary A. Bolles is my husband’s 2nd great grandfather’s second wife.  She married Rev. George Hall a little over a year after the death of his first wife, Almira Rosette.  The marriage took place on 6 Oct 1859 in Jersey City, New Jersey.

There were 6 children born to George and Almira, so in 1859 there could have been at least 3 of those children still at home.  Those may have been Thomas, age 14, Susan, age 13 and Ellen, age 9.

Here is a newspaper extraction citing the marriage of Mary Ann and George.

U.S. Newspaper Extractions from the Northeast, 1704-1930
Name:    Mary Ann Bolles
Father:    Abial Bolles
Event:    Marriage
Marriage Date:    6 Oct 1859
Marriage Place:    Jersey City
Spouse:   George Hall
Newspaper:   Christian Intelligencer of the Reformed Dutch Church
Publication Date:   13 Oct 1859
Publication Place:  New York, USA
Call Number:   486384

Although I’ve tried for years, and just tried again today, I am unable to locate an 1860 census for Rev. Hall and Mary. 
I have located his three youngest children, Thomas, Susan and Ellen, all living with other people.

So, with no children at home and newly married, where did this couple reside in 1860?

I did locate them in the 1870 census, living in Fayette, Jefferson, Mississippi. At that time, George’s youngest daughter, Emily, was living with the couple.  George is still working in the ministry.  Mary is listed as keeping house.  Two years later, Emily aka Susan Emily, married John H. Griffing in Claiborne, Mississippi.

Here is the cropped portion of the 1870 census.

(Click on any image to enlarge it)

Mary lost her husband George to yellow fever 4 Sep 1878 in Port Gibson, Claiborne, Mississippi.  Here’s a blog post I wrote about his death which includes a detailed obituary Sunday's Obituary - Rev. George Hall Victim of Yellow Fever – 1878

What happened to Mary after George’s death?  Yet, another census mystery.  I cannot locate her in the 1880 census.  However, I was able to find her in 2 city directories from her hometown of Charleston, South Carolina.  In both 1896 and 1890 she is living at 359 Meeting, in Charleston, and listed as “widow of George.”  I cannot find any record of her remarrying after his death in 1878.
Mary died on 22 Oct 1893 in her birthplace, Charleston, South Carolina.  Her cause of death was listed as Nervous prostration/old age.
 

Mary is buried at Second Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Charleston.  You may visit her memorial here #3586154.
 
NOTE – Just as I was finishing up this blog post, I decided to go over to Family Search and take a look for South Caroline records to see what I may have missed.  In doing so, I have located the actual death register for Mary.  The information on the register matches the death record I had already located.  But, nice to have that original register.

More information about Mary and some of my observations and questions:

• I believe that Mary is the daughter of Edwin Abiel BOLLES and his wife Hannah A. PATTISON
• She was 43 years old when she married Rev. Hall and I can locate no other marriage records for her.  In the 1850 census she was living with her parents and a few of her siblings.
• She was married to Rev. Hall for 19 years, from 1859 until his death in 1878. 
• I find no record of any children born to this couple. 
• What did Mary like to do?  Did she volunteer?  Did she quilt?  Did she like to garden?  What was her life like for the 15 years after Rev. Hall died?  Was she employed someplace?
• Someone provided a nice headstone for Mary.  Was it her siblings or other family?
• I’ve searched on newspapers.com and genealogy bank and not found an obituary.
• When you have no direct descendants, it’s nice to be remembered.  While Mary may not be a blood ancestor to my husband and his Hall family, I am still happy to recognize and remember her. 

If you are connected to the BOLLES family of Charleston, South Carolina, I would love to hear from you.

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ My maternal 2nd great grandparents–Joseph Gillespie (1837-1908) and Susan Burgess (1841-1933)

Far left is Susan Gillespie, next to her Joseph Gillespie - the larger stone is their daughter, Louise Forsyth & her husband James F. Forsyth - the lone stone on the right is Susan Gillespie's mother, Elizabeth Gaydon Burgess (1813-1884) 

My maternal 2nd great grandparents were both born in Devonshire, England.  Joseph in Tiverton and Susan in Barnstaple. 

They immigrated to the United States in 1862 with their 2 infants, Susan (my great grandmother) and little William.

Joseph died at age 71 on 26 May 1908 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan.  His death certificate states the cause of death as Dilation of the Heart.

Susan outlived him by 25 years.  She died of Myocarditis, on 8 Mar 1933 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan at age 91.

They are buried at Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit.  I’ve been to this cemetery a couple of times during my visits from California.  There are 32 members of my family at rest in this cemetery.

Here are the photos of their headstones

They are in Section O, Lot 53, Graves 14 & 15. 

You may visit their memorials here Joseph #21177918 and Susan #21177747.

If you are connected to this couple I’d love to hear from you.  Joseph had 9 brothers and a sister so there must be many descendants out there.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

I wrote about Susan’s mother here - 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks–Week #4–Elizabeth Gaydon Burgess–1813-1884–My 3rd great grandmother

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2020   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark,Ohio–I've surpisingly located members of my family and my husband’s buried here

Sometimes I randomly pick what I’m going to write about and today was one of those days.  I decided to write about a cemetery, but had no idea which one.  I went to my locations list in Legacy and selected Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark, Licking, Ohio.

According to the list in Legacy, there are 5 people in my tree buried there.

What I was surprised to learn, when I looked at each of those 5 individuals, is that 3 are from my family and 2 are from my husband’s.  Those paths have not crossed before, in this manner.  What fun.

Cedar Hill Cemetery is located in Newark, Licking County, Ohio.  It’s located at 275 N. Cedar St.  Newark is located northeast of Columbus, Ohio in just about the center of the state.

Here are names from my family – all are on the maternal side.

Martin Gillen Alexander (1863-1924) and his wife Mary E. McCarty (about 1861 – 1934)  Martin is my 2nd cousin 3 times removed.

 Headstone photos courtesy of Nancy Ann Mull Buchanan,  FindAGrave volunteer

Lawrence C. Diebel, Jr. (1928-2012) – he is my maternal 2nd cousin once removed.

  Headstone photo courtesy of baack40, FindAGrave volunteer

And from my husband, Ron’s family, on his paternal side.

James Dwight Williams (about 1869-1955) and his wife Anna Rosette (1874-1945).  Anna is my husband’s 2nd cousin 3 times removed.

I have asked but not yet received permission to use their headstone photos, so here are links to their memorials.
James – #51784895 and Anna #51784635

Here’s my question for all you readers/researchers.  Have you run across your family and your spouses family buried in the same cemetery?  I suppose if everyone was from a close knit community and didn’t stray from the area, it’s quite likely.  However, in the case of my husband’s ancestors and mine, they are not normally found in the same locations.

If you are connected to anyone mentioned in this post, I’d love to hear from you.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST


A HEADSTONE LOST FOR 256 YEARS – Now Found ~ The story of 9 year old Betty Clark (1752-1761)

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY–Triplet daughters of Elijah & Rebecca Frampton - died 1827

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ A follow up on Bertram SEAVER (1873-1942) & his first wife Gertrude (1871-1908)

Headstone for Bertram Seaver - used with permission from CHayes

In learning more about Bertram Seaver who married Mary Ada Seigle, my 1st cousin twice removed, I found out he was buried at Mount Washington Cemetery, Mt. Washington, Hamilton, Ohio.  You may read my previous post about Bertram SEAVER here MY GRANDMOTHER’S JOURNAL ~ Let’s look at some anniversaries–Bert SEAVER & Mary Ada SEIGLE - 1929

I immediately recognized that location as the same cemetery his first wife, Gertrude, had been buried, after her suicide.  I was a little surprised that he was buried with her and not his second wife, Mary Ada Seigle.  He’s been married to Gertrude for 13 years and Mary for 24 years.  Sometimes our ancestors don’t do what we might expect them to do.

I looked on FindAGrave and determined that there had been no memorial created for Bertram, so I created one.  I also put in a photo request, hoping that a volunteer would someday take a photo of the headstone (if there was one).

I was surprised, actually shocked, when I received notification the very next day, that my request had been fulfilled.  I additionally, received an email from another person who took photos of the headstone.  Now I had two sets of pictures.  My continued thanks to all the people who volunteer via the FindAGrave website, to take headstone photos.

TIP:  Whenever I create a memorial for someone, I always request a photo of the headstone (unless, of course, I already have one).  I have been very fortunate over the years and have had dozens of requests fulfilled, all over the country.  I immediately send a thank you to the volunteer via the messaging on FindAGrave.  At the same time, I check their profile to see if they give permission to use the photos.  Since I have a blog and I frequently like to post headstone pictures, I don’t want to violate anyone’s copyright.  If the permission isn’t stated in their profile and I think I may use the photo in a blog post, I send them an email asking permission.  If you look at my FindAGrave profile you will see that I give blanket permission to use any of my own photographed headstone photos (my profile page)

Here is the other picture I received for Bertram who is resting beside his first wife, Gertrude

Headstones of Bertram & Gertrude Seaver - used with permission of Steve Barnett

Click on the links to visit the memorials for Bertram #203005133 & Gertrude #170861969

How often to you request photos of headstones on the FindAGrave website?

 

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

CEMETERY CARDS ~ They can reveal a gold mine of genealogical information–Here’s what I’ve found…..

CIVIL WAR DEAD AND OUR NATIONAL CEMETERIES

Happy hunting,

Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2019   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION

TOMBSTONE TUESDAY ~ Lyman Constantine Hart, my 2nd great granduncle–1835-1888

Lyman Constantine Hart is my 2nd great granduncle on my paternal side.  He was the son of Henry Hart and Olive Glasier Doten.  He was the 2nd child of 9 born to this couple.

Lyman remains a bit of a mystery to me.  He is enumerated with his family in the 1850 census in Armada, Macomb, Michigan.  I have a Civil War Draft Registration for him from Jun 1863 and he appears in the 1870 census living with his parents, one brother and a sister.

(CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE IT)

Civil War Draft Registration record

1870 census

I tried again today to find Lyman enumerated any time between the 1870 census and his death in 1888.  I looked for U.S. census records, agriculture records, state census records and city directories. I had no luck at all. I’ve never located a marriage record for Lyman either.
I do know when he died and where he is buried.
His death record lists his name as L. C., his age as 52, born in Canada – all of those being consistent with my records.  His case of death was “cancer of face” and his occupation listed as a Painter.  The date of death on the register is a match to what is on his headstone, so I’m certain this death record is his. 
NOTE:  In looking at this record today, for the first time in a while I notice there is a handwritten note under the place where parent’s names should be, which says “Wayne County Poor House, Further Particulars Unknown.”

Here’s the full death register.



Here is page two turned sideways and enhanced.  You can see that note written where the parent’s names should be.



The Michigan Deaths & Burials, 1800-1995 list the death place as Nankin, Wayne, Michigan.  This leads me to believe he died at Eloise Asylum/Hospital.

Michigan Deaths & Burials, 1800-1995
Name: L. C. Hart
Gender: Male
Burial Date: 
Burial Place: 
Death Date: 15 Feb 1888
Death Place: Nankin, Wayne, Michigan
Age: 52
Birth Date: 1836
Birthplace: Canadian
Occupation: Painter
Race: White
Marital Status: Single
Spouse's Name: 
Father's Name: 
Father's Birthplace: 
Mother's Name: 
Mother's Birthplace: 
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B59947-1
System Origin: Michigan-EASy
Source Film Number: 1377688
Reference Number: yr 1888
  
Lyman’s father, Henry Hart, had died in 1879.  That left his mother, Olive, a widow, aged 74.  I am unable to locate her in the 1880 census either.  I wonder why Lyman would have ended up in the Poor House?  He had many sisters, brothers and half siblings living in Armada.  Is it possible his mother was also at the Poor House?  She died a year before Lyman.  Her death record does not indicate she was in the Poor House and does give her parent’s names.  So, I’m uncertain where she was living between Henry’s death in 1879 and her own death in 1887.

Lyman and his parent’s are buried in Rose Hill Cemtery in Armada, Macomb, Michigan.  I have been there twice and photographed their headstone.  They are all on the same stone, on different sides of it.

You can visit the FindAGrave memorial for Lyman here #31946730.

I would welcome input from anyone who has more information about Lyman.  If you’re a cousin, please get in touch with me and let’s share information.

OTHER POSTS THAT MAY BE OF INTEREST

CENSUS SUNDAY–WHO WAS LIVING NEXT TO WHOM? AND WHAT DOES THIS RECORD TELL ME?

THOSE PLACES THURSDAY - Armada, Macomb, Michigan

Happy hunting,
Michigan Girl

Copyright ©  2010-2018   Diane Gould Hall

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.  NO USE WITHOUT PERMISSION