The Grave Matter of Victorian Grave Stones

English: Victorian graves A fine selection of ornate Victorian graves and monuments in Church Cemetery (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Wanlockhead Burial Ground The burial ground has gravestones from 1790s to 1880s include stones of miners killed in accidents; the are also 3 war graves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Burial ground. Mixture of old and new graves. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Forgotten spot in a church graveyard This is a large grave yard in the centre of Inverness. Graves which were readable dated from 1800 - 1890, there were older graves which were impossible to read. The ones in photo were unreadable. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sooner rather than later, humans began to see graveyards as a source of income. The Normans saw even the church graveyard as a place to promote social status, saving the best spots for those who were wealth. Church yards were a logical choice for most of the dearly departed to be put to rest, because the church usually marked all the significant events in a persons life. The church literally looked after a person spiritual welfare from birth till death. Still even the church was not above only preaching spiritual equality in death, not in its burial practices. Social status was reflected in how one’s graves were marked.

The height of graveyard excess probably came during the Victorian era. Victorians were obsessed with romantic gothic grave markers; with intricate and elaborate designs. Victorian graves were many times made of stark white marble. Cherubs and rose covered crosses marked many respectable Victorian graves. Poetry told something of the person’s life. In the centuries past, skulls adorned graves reminding people of the great equalizer that death was. Now the positive message of life after death within a Christian framework marked the graves of the saints.

It was popular in the late Victorian age to take photographs of the dearly departed in their graves. Isomer displayed pictures on the grave stones. Almost every Victorian of means had some death photography taken, especially if the departed was a child. Children graves were especially inclined to be marked with romantic notions. The Victorians were very sentimental about their loved ones that had passed. Keepsakes such as locks of hair were keeping by Victorians long after the burial of a family member. Visiting graves and even picnicking in the graveyard, were activities that the Victorians did not view as morbid

Most communities of any size out grew church graveyards by the late 19^th century. Graveyards for profit sprang up everywhere. While a certain community might as for free plots for paupers and criminals within the confines of these semi public burial grounds, these places catered to consumers. Families still purchased plots together, and many marked future burial spots with giant statues or mausoleums. Special sections for veterans or religious minor\ties made sure that every one could find an appropriate burial place within the confines of the gates of the community grave yard. Still there were those who because of race or religion still have to provide separate resting places for their dead.

In later Victorian days marble graves were replace by softer granite that weathered faster than marble. Older graves attracted moss and lichen making graveyards appear appropriately dreary. Gravestones were not particularly well cared for. Cemeteries today tend graves much more carefully. This is true as long as the cemetery is still used by the community. In rural area older graveyard are abandoned and the grave stones left to deteriorate. Only those of historical value are restored...

The growing popularity of genealogy research on the internet has led to many finding where their ancestors from the 19^th century were buried. Grave hunters make grave stone rubbings with chalk. charcoal, or oil crayons. They place paper over the gravestone and rub the indentations to get a likeness of the writing and art on the headstone. this further damages weathered and worn sandstone and soft granite  graves.  Rubbing gravestones people are able to better read the engraving on a head stone. I* you can better to consult the grounds keeper of the cemetery and investigate the records of the stone This helps preserve a faded inscription,  Grave rubbing can  cause father damage to the head stone.

Information about ancestor’s graves can many times be found online. Many community groups have extensive projects to document the inhabitants of the older grave yards in their community. The make projects out of returning fallen grave stones to their original resting place and cutting underbrush. Volunteers enter information from burial records from old church graveyard to various genealogy sites. Many sites will also post pictures of graves. You may not have to go any father than your computer to view the graves of your Victorian ancestors.

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