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From: "Dave Napier" <>
Subject: Re: [B&D] Arnos Vale Cemetery - Monumental Inscriptions
Date: Sun, 4 May 2008 09:55:46 +0100
References: <40809.20197.bm@omp214.mail.ukl.yahoo.com><002d01c8ad5b$06d487c0$081a9aa5@acer2b73192757>
In-Reply-To: <002d01c8ad5b$06d487c0$081a9aa5@acer2b73192757>


Hi Nancy

There are a very very small random set of MIs from Arnos Vale Cemetery in
the Bristol & Avon Family History Society M.I. Index (not available on line
- you have to request a search
(http://www.bafhs.org.uk/services/monumentalinscriptions.htm ).

The Arnos Vale Trust rejected my suggestion that we could organize the
collection of MI data and maybe start selling CDs as a means of raising
funds for the cemetery a few years ago. However, now that the main
restoration programme has started, I think that once it is nearing
completion they may be in a frame of mind to 'listen more' to this kind of
suggestion.

You will have a lovely time wandering around the cemetery, I guarantee it!
But don't set your heart on great success in finding specific graves just by
wandering around - there are just too many and so many are inaccessible
which makes a methodical approach section by section difficult.

My advice is as follows:

1. Try to establish approximate dates of death - this will help to discount
some areas - although areas that were filled up before a death date should
not be discounted because the cemetery owners often squeezed a burial or two
in a spot which had previously be vacant (e.g. plots that were original
ornamental gardens).

2. Obtain a cemetery plan - you can download an print the one on the Friends
website: http://www.arnosvalefriends.org.uk/avareas.htm or buy an
information pack at the cemetery West Lodge (£2). Familiarise yourself with
the layout first by walking as much of the cemetery as you can checking the
dates on graves in different areas - this will suggest areas you may wish to
concentrate on.

3. Don't remove Ivy or Moss without permission.

4. You may need to visit at different times of the day when the sun is in a
different position otherwise some of your photos will be blanked out.

5. You may like to carry a supply of water in a plastic bottle with a spray
nozzle - you can use this to wet some stones and this may help to make the
letters stand out in some light conditions.

6. Have a system of recording locations - you could use the letters shown on
the cemetery plan (e.g. AAA, BB etc) and then note landmarks like oak trees
or other significant memorials that stand out more.

7. Many of the paths are overgrown or not suitable for use and some of the
monuments are in a very poor state - e.g. broken or caved in. These paths
and areas should be avoided.

8. The cemetery may see a lonely place in some areas and occasionally one or
two people seen there may SEEM a bit scary but be assured that 99.99% of
visitors are sound. There are regular dog walkers who (shouldn't but do let
their dogs off leads but they) are generally an asset to security.

9. You should carry a mobile phone with you so that you can call for help -
if you are determined to ignore my advice in 7. above and stray from the
paths (which you should not!) you may slip or twist an ankle and then need
to call for help!

Enjoy your visit

Regards

Dave Napier
(FAVC)

-----Original Message-----
From:
[mailto:] On Behalf Of Nancy Frey
Sent: 03 May 2008 21:20
To:
Subject: [B&D] Arnos Vale Cemetery - Monumental Inscriptions

Is anyone aware of any Monumental Inscriptions online or CD from the Arnos
Vale Cemetery? I have a feeling some of my relatives might be there and it
would save me some time in Bristol. I will be staying at a place just
behind the Cemetery and hope to be able to photograph some of the
inscriptions.

If this has never been done, perhaps some listers might like to send me
their surnames so that if I spot them I can take a photo. The only way I
know to find my people is to walk up and down the rows of gravesites reading

the monuments.

Any suggestions to do something otherwise would be greatly appreciated.

Nancy Frey
Newcastle, Ontario, CANADA
OPC for Ansford & Castle Cary, Somerset
Manager of Yahoo Catsash Group



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