The Right to be Buried in Family Plot - Help!.....

[scotincanada]

Hi,

I am trying to assist my father in establishing his right to be buried in his family plot, located in Glenorchy Kirkyard, Dalmally, Argyll. The original lair owner purchased the plot in early 1800s, emigrated to Canada & passed the rights to next youngest brother, my gggggrandfather. After a period of no burials for some 80 years, my infant aunt, Annie FLETCHER (Jan. 1930 - Sept. 1930) was buried there, followed by my grandmother, Catherine (MCKINNON) FLETCHER (Nov. 1889 - Dec. 1937) & lastly by my grandfather, Alexander FLETCHER (Feb. 23, 1890 - April 10, 1950). Dad, now age 74 years, would like to know his place beside them is assured.

However, according to Argyll & Bute Council, all burial records for this cemetery, for the years 1945 - 1973 approx., are "lost". My question is - are they really lost? Can anyone verify this? How on earth would this happen in the 20th century?!

Has anyone out there had a similar experience with trying to arrange modern day burials in older (abt 200 years) family plots? The lair owner's certificate is long since missing now.

Thanks for you assistance.

Mary (Fletcher) Harris
in Canada

[Tracey]

Hi Mary

Dont hold your breath, i dont think i am going to be much help !! but.........I recently found found (both sides) of my gt grandparents graves, ashamedly 5 mins walk from where i live !. One lot were buried on common ground so am looking to buy the plot at some point. The other buriel plot was bought and my gt grandmother was buried there in 1946. Now for this one i was told i could have the deeds signed over to me at minimal or no cost (cant remember exactly) and there was no talk of previous ownership ( my gt grandfather died in New Zealand and he owned the plot) or proof of. I have contacted other relatives out of respect and they have given approval as they either live the other side of the world or havnt even thought about the grave till i mentioned it and it is of no financial benefit to me to own it. I went to the local council offices and they showed me the original entries of the buriel information. I know this hasnt been possible for you and i am probably totally wrong but i would get back onto the council as i assume they are, at the end of the day, liable if they "lost" the records and ask them what they intend to do about the situation as its your family plot. The actual cemetery also had records of the graves and how wide, deep how many can be buried there ect because i bugged them too ! but you may already know this.
As you have researched your family you have more than enough proof of who you are if you need it.
Is the person who arranged your grandparents buriels still alive and how did they go about it ?

ps I can fly of the handle in these situations especially when you deal with a Cival Servant who has been to Cival Servant school of political correct speech ! (especially irritating are the replies from the P.C Mayor of Londons office ) , but do appologise profusley for my behaviour after things have been sorted ! also these graves are in England so dont know if its a different situation in Scotland

Appologies for rambling

[LesleyB]

Hi Mary
It may be a long shot, but I wonder if these people might be worth contacting?

DALMALLY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION
http://www.loch-awe.com/community/dha.htm

They may know something of the history of the burial ground and the existing or non-existant records.

Best wishes
Lesley

[Tracey]

If you have no luck with regard to Lesley,s civilised route and if you seem to be getting no where re answers or solutions i would mail the local MP. As i am not in Scotland according to the web its this chap Alan Reid 8-[

Email: reida@parliament.uk

Web: http://www.kirtel.demon.co.uk/argyll_libdems

[joette]

This is a subject close to my heart as it caused a rift in our family.
My Mothers uncle was buried in A CWGC.Some years later both parents were also buried in it. In order to do this my G-Aunt had to "purchase the rights" & duly did so. When she wrote & told her brother what had happened you would had thought he had lost the family estate for a fiver.I dont think they ever spoke again.
Will double check with my Mum who has some experience of difficult burials but I think the rights lapse after a certain amount of years from the last burial.Also there are only so many bodies a grave can take hence why I have purchased an adjacent plot to my lot.

[Caroline]

Hi Mary,

Yes I would check out first how big the grave actually is. I recently discovered a family plot and on enquiring to the local authority I found out that it could only hold 3 coffins and 3 cremated remains. Luckily I found the lair certificate among my grandmothers papers so fortunately I'm not having to face the same problems as you are.

Caroline

[DavidWW]

If you have no luck with regard to Lesley,s civilised route and if you seem to be getting no where re answers or solutions i would mail the local MP. As i am not in Scotland according to the web its this chap Alan Reid 8-[

Email: reida@parliament.uk

Web: http://www.kirtel.demon.co.uk/argyll_libdems

I'm near certain that cemeteries will come under the Scottish parliament so that contact may be better with the MSP rather than the Westminster MP, - see http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msps/ ... n-argy.htm

David

[Tracey]

sorry i just put in the search box Argyll and Bute local MP and up he come

[DavidWW]

sorry i just put in the search box Argyll and Bute local MP and up he come

And you got the correct answer ............ but he would probably refer it to the MSP anyway.

David