I have recently obtained a copy of the M I s for Condover St Andrew and St Mary Church. I have found where my Great Great Grandfather's grave is on the map. However, it says on the map "before clearance in 1973". I wonder what the result of the clearance was? Were the headstones laid flat or moved? Can anyone enlighten me before I visit in a few weeks. Thanks KMB.
Thank you Michael. I will just go and look. The grave I have noted is by a wall anyway so the stone may have stayed in place. It is a very rare chance to find an ancestor's grave as my family have been so poor they haven't a stone memorial. I recently visited Kinnerley church where I thought I would see an ancestor's grave as it was last used as late as 1955. I stood where it should be and couldn't find it. Not having long to search I gave up but later thoughts lead me to believe that it was under a tree which had spread from its base! KMB
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hello Kathleen
The Shropshire FHS did not have anything to do with making the original transcript of Condover churchyard but we were permitted to copy the text of the transcript and the plan which went with it.
We don't have any information about the gravestones after the clearance but I would guess that the transcript was made as part of the process of obtaining a Faculty for their removal and this would normally specify what was to happen to each individual stone. Some may have been moved around the edge of the churchyard or to some other convenient position whilst any that were unreadable and couldn't be identified may well have been removed completely.
The original transcript is in Shropshire Archives so I think you should arrange a visit there to see exactly what it contains and whether there is any information about a Faculty. Do check the opening times You may need a Readers Ticket to look at original material.
The other way is to visit the church and see if there is any contact details for the church wardens and hope that one of them might know the answer.
Mike