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Common graves

Hi

I was just looking at burial transcripts on this site using the address search field for Thorp Road. The following is one of the results:

ARDRON, David (Son of ~, age 30 minutes).
Died at 34 Thorp Rd; Buried on February 3, 1956 in Consecrated ground;
Grave Number 6851, Section V2 of City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.
Parent or Next of Kin if Available: ~. Remarks: ~.
Plot Owner: ~ ~ of ~. Page No 32


When I clicked on 'Find similar in same grave' I was astonished to find that there were approximately 373 other burials in the same grave, or more realistically if the information is accurate I can only conclude in effect it was a pit. I do not know much regarding the history of cemeteries, I am aware of common graves and the way many poor people were buried in the same grave in older and Victorian times; but what shocked me was that all of the burials took place between 1952-1956. I would assume that bodies were buried in batches over the 4 year period, perhaps repeatedly digging new graves close to each other to accommodate the next batch of bodies. If correct this would result in grave 6851 occupying a relative large area in the cemetery. As I said, I know little of cemetery history and wondered if anyone had more knowledge of the practices of burying people in this way.

Kind regards

Leipzig

Re: Common graves

Hi Leipzig,

Might I suggest you contact Bereavement Services at City Road and ask the question.

Looking at the search return most are stillborn or infants that lived only days.

Elaine in Ottawa.

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Re: Common graves

Hi Elaine

Thank you for your guidance.

Regarding stillborn babies there is a BBC news article at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-51271977

There is also more detailed information provided by the Sands Stillbirth & neonatal death charity at:
https://www.sands.org.uk/sites/default/files/Long%20Ago%20Bereaved%20LINKED.pdf
Particularly sad is the information on page 16.

Inline with the information from the Sands site, there are 3 adults listed in grave named 6851, Section V2 in City Road Cemetery, Sheffield.

MAXFIELD, Elsie (Spinster, age 65).
Died at 2 Herries Road; Buried on September 26, 1952 in Consecrated ground;

LOCKWOOD, Lily (Widow, age 80).
Died at 60 Whitehouse Road; Buried on November 13, 1952 in Consecrated ground;

BOWNES, Bertie (Retired, age 72).
Died at Royal Infirmary; Buried on March 28, 1955 in Consecrated ground;

Other than the above three persons, there are 33 persons whose ages are recorded as 3 days old or older, of these there are 11 which have ages recorded as 1 week - 5 months.

Not having been personally affected by the trauma of stillbirth, I must admit it is not something I have given much thought to, until now. The way the situation seems to have been dealt with years ago was expedient and unsympathetic.

Kind regards

Leipzig