Wigan Album

Much better 'grassed over' but I wonder what happened to the stone slabs with all the names on. You wouldn't have lingered there very long on a summer's day. I suppose the graves are still there hopefully undisturbed. I don't remember the graveyard looking like this.

Seeing it on old maps is one thing but seeing the graveyard as it was is amazing. Where are these monuments/headstones now? Did the graves get interred somewhere?

Anyone know what date approximately this was taken? I have lots of Ancestors who were buried here. Wigan Cemetery, Ince, began around 1856.

The information below, from a Messageboard post on this site, might be of use . . .
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"The burials are still in the area around Wigan All Saints no exhuming took place, although there are no longer headstones to represent the graves apart from a few that still remain close to the church. Inscriptions on every stone was copied and a record of 308 graves was carefully prepared and completed in 1906.In pursuance of the Open Spaces Act 1905, notice was given in July 1909, of the intention of the Corporation to apply for a faculty, and in August 1909 copies of the notice were sent by registered post to those persons known to be next relatives of any one whose name was on the stones.The last burial took place in the churchyard in 1904 and by order in Council dated 11th July 1905, the churchyard was closed for burials.It was apparently in a desolate and shocking condition and in 1909, under a special agreement between the Rector and Wigan Corporation, the latter undertook to lay out the churchyard as a garden and to take over the responsibility for maintaining it. Though it still remains the property of the Church and is under the jurisdiction of the Church authorities. With a few exceptions, the old gravestones were buried, the churchyard was re-laid and in 1911 was opened as a garden".

The thought occurred to me that the garden was laid in or around 1909 and the War Memorial was erected in the early 1920's. How desolate and much more mournful had it still been that awful graveyard. Many people came to the service commemorating the fallen from the Great War to honour the dead on that first occasion, it wouldn't have been much comfort for the families and friends in those depressing surroundings I would think. Every family in one way or another was touched with tragedy. Just as well the garden was created...if only for that reason alone. I imagine in those early days relative's could at least have somewhere to sit awhile and think of their lost loved ones in a peaceful atmosphere.

A morbid footnote to my comment above . . .
About seventy years ago, my late mother worked at the same place as someone who had worked on the job of converting the graveyard to a garden, when he was a young chap.
Although no exhumations took place, they did come across a number of shallow burials during the course of the work (they used to fit coffins in wherever they could, once upon a while, with little regard to the depth of the grave).
Although this had happened forty years earlier, my mother said this chap had no other topic of conversation, other than uncovering these old graves, and was avoided by all his colleagues, who regarded him as a ‘creepy old ******’.

Mick I worked in the small claims Court buildings in 1991 for twelve months. In the summer I used to eat my sandwiches in the garden there, if I'd known that tale - I wouldn't have bothered!

Just think what lay beneath your feet, while you were eating your egg and cress, or cheese and tomato, Veronica!

Mick LG - Reference your comment of 25th Aug., is the list of gravestones available?

Eric R - unfortunately the only information I have regarding the gravestones is that contained in my post above, which was a quote from the Messageboards on this site.
The Museum/History Shop on Library st may be able to help you (01942 828128).

I worked in wigan laying New water mains near the crofters pub and hallgate, we dug about 6ft down and the earth had turned sour it smelled terrible they reckon people who were poor were buried outside the church grounds and the more well off were buried in the church grounds so it was a lot bigger grave yard than the photo ,it believe it was down to wallgate.

Mick LG - VMT for tracking your comment. I have sent to Wigan History Shop as suggested, will advise result.

Also comment by Tom - that does ring a bell.

Best of luck, Eric R. Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I'm a bit out of touch with local studies resources, nowadays.
If the History Shop can't assist you, hopefully thsy can point you in the right direction.

For MickLG., and Tom - Mick LG - VMT your comment of 30 Aug 19. Wigan History have done a run through their records, and are only able to confirm Burial Date. I also bear in mind Tom's comment. I have been given a pointer which I am following up.

I will come back to you with any result. I will also be copying to Ken R., and Canadian side of family.

For Ron HUNT please - Ron Many thanks indeed for your picture.

EricR

In about 1967 the Rector, Canon John Park, commented that the Parish Church stood on 'a hill of bones'. He also said that many graves had been disturbed when Wallgate station was built. Presumably this was long before the landscaping of the part of the churchyard nearest the church. The problem of overcrowded and insanitary churchyards was not a new one. Both Shakespeare and John Donne made grim jokes about it and by Dickens's time it had become a scandal in the cities.

I've been looking into the history of the graveyard and would love to be able to use this photo - it's a great image to show us how our ancestors would have viewed it. I'd love to be able to reuse this on another website so I'm hoping RON HUNT is still around and able to give me permision. In the meantime, many thanks for sharing!

Gwyneth No problem thanks for asking. Not like some people from the WIGAN NOSTALGIA web site...

Can anyone help me find the records of the burials of all saints churchyard

Try here:
https://lan-opc.org.uk/Wigan/Wigan/allsaints/index.html

Good picture Ton and some very interesting comments.
Although misty, the shot looks towards Crawford Street and Bishop’s Gate/ Hallgate.

Sorry Ton, meant Ron!

I walked through the grounds yesterday, didn't stay long as there were one or two undesirables about!
However I did spot one gravestone at the back of the church on the floor against the wall, it was faded and covered in moss, I had to trace this inscription with my finger which read:
Ann Bailey died age 68, 29 Sept 1831
George Bailey died age 69, 18 Nov 1851