Inverkeithing Burial Mystery.....

[dodie]

I wonder if someone can help me solve a burial mystery. My great-grandfather John Ferguson died 16th July 1918 and is buried at Inverkeithing cemetary South Section row 13 no.228, his wife and my great-grandmother Ann Sinclair Ferguson died 2nd Dec. 1930 and is also buried at Inverkeithing cemetary, she is in South Section Row 16 no. 228
The mystery arises because John died and was buried first and is the only one in the grave (which holds three), when Ann died she was buried in a grave with two others. The grave Ann is in is one of two family lairs owned by the Thomson Family (they owned a mill) and as far as I can find out Ann had no connection with the Thomson family so why was she not buried beside her husband as there was certainly room. As the numbers of the grave are the same and they are both in South Division could there have been a clerical error and if so how do I find this out. It is quite sad that all this time they are buried so near each other when they could have been buried together. Is it possible to find out who arranged the funerals and who purchased the lair that John is in. Anyone any ideas.
Dodie
Also if there was any poor relief records for the family would it show where John was born, if so where could I get access to them.

[LesleyB]

Hi Dodie
I think Inverkeithing might come under Dunfermline area:

DUNFERMLINE CREMATORIUM
MASTERTON ROAD
DUNFERMLINE
KY11 8QR
tel: 01383 724653

- if not, they should be able to tell you who does deal with it!

For archives try:
Fife Council, Carleton House , The Haig Business Park , Balgonie Road , Markinch , Glenrothes KY7 6AQ Tel: 01592 416504
also have a look at:
http://users.ox.ac.uk/~peter/workhouse/ ... line.shtml

best wishes
Lesley

[Tracey]

Hello Dodie

Welcome to TS

It is quite sad that all this time they are buried so near each other when they could have been buried together.

Who knows, like most families maybe they had a big time fall out ?

Is it possible to find out who arranged the funerals and who purchased the lair that John is in.

I dont know about Scotland but in England you can visit the local Council offices and they will show you the original books which have details including who bought the plot and how much it cost ect..........

Tracey

[AndrewP]

Hi Dodie,

It may be worth contacting Fife Council. I didn't find an address for a cemetery records office, bit the following webpage has contact names and a click on the person's name takes you to ac ontact form, where you could ask your question(s).

http://www.fife.gov.uk/orgs/index.cfm?f ... 0B384B8758

The contact name that looks to be most appropriate by job title seems to be Margaret Campbell, Burial Clerk, based in Cupar.

The lair records should show the last known owner of the lair and the names of all those buried there. It is often the case that not all those buried in that lair are named on the headstone; and that some of the names on the headstone may be "in memory of ..." someone who is buried elsewhere, but related to those buried there. The lair records may also show which undertaker arranged the funeral, but I think it would be the undertakers whose records would have said who arranged the funeral with them. Undertakers' records are less likely to be traceable (is the undertaker still in business?).

All the best,

Andrew Paterson

[Tracey]

It is often the case that not all those buried in that lair are named on the headstone

Which just reminded me. A Lair search on my gt grandmothers grave on which the headstone only mentions her, a Lair search found two adults my gt and gt gt grandmothers and six children. One of whom name was incorrect.

[dodie]

Thanks to the above for their replies: I have written to Margaret Campbell so will let you know if I hear anything, fingers crossed.

Dodie