NFLD-LAB-L Archives

From: "Joanne" <>
Subject: [NFLD-LAB] Graves/RC Cemetery Carbonear
Date: Mon, 3 Nov 2003 10:46:04 -0500

This has been an interesting topic. Maybe we can take it off the path of
"pauper" angle
to save it from being halted. Deborah made the valid point of not using
"blanket" generalizations
to describe an entire community with varied traditions and Michael also
offered a valid argument
for the fact that most wealthy, or prominent folks are more likely to have
markers than the less
well-off but again it can not be said that All Without markers are thus
Paupers. My question has
more to do with the occupation of MASONRY...I have heard that when possible
tombstones were
sometimes brought back from Ireland as ballast. With all the Rocks in
Newfoundland was there
not the appropriate type of stone for carving, like Limestone available in
Ireland? So that the
occupation of Masonry did not develop with ease in outport communities early
on and it had more
to do with the availability of materials and a skilled mason. Also were
bodies kept over the winter
for Spring burial...I can't imagine a grave could be dug during many months
of the long winter.
I do not believe my Newfoundland ancestors to be paupers based on their
grave marker or casket type
alone as inspite of our affluence today as their descendants we still think
it quite a waste to spend
money in a superfluous manner on the dead and this is a perspective passed
down thru generations.

Now, the information that markers provide for the family genealogist can be
invaluable...here is
what was found on my Kennedy ancestors in Carbonear...I am sure many more
of this family
were buried there but not all had markers, for whatever reasons. Joanne
http://www.ancestraldigs.com/NorthWestCemetery.htm

This thread:

• [NFLD-LAB] Graves/RC Cemetery Carbonear by "Joanne" <>