British Cemetery and Cremation Records from Deceased Online

The world celebrated the International Day of Families this week. In honour of the occasion, this week's post focuses on the migratory ancestors we encounter in our genealogical research. The United Nations' (UN)'s International Day of Families has been held annually on May 15th since 1993. The Day demonstrates the UN's belief in the importance of families: "Families remain at the centre of social life ensuring the well-being of their members, educating and socializing children and youth and caring for young and old." For the UN, "family-oriented policies can contribute to  . . . doing away with poverty and hunger, ensuring healthy lives and promoting of well-being for all ages, ensuring educational opportunities throughout the lifespan and achieving gender equality." Families are, of course, central to family history research. Genealogy searches can be complicated by the division of families as members moved away - sometimes to the other side o...

This week I look at the history and monuments of a fascinating cemetery in our North West England collection The Deceased Online database includes the records of Overleigh Old Cemetery and the newer Overleigh Cemetery , both in the beautiful Roman City of Chester, Cheshire. The cemeteries are two of those administered and maintained by Cheshire West and Chester Council Cemeteries & Crematorium Service.    The original Overleigh Cemetery was opened by the Chester General Cemetery Company on 12 November 1850. The site was laid out between 1848 and 1850 in Overleigh Road in the south-west Handbridge area of the city, close to the River Dee and the stunning Grosvenor Bridge. Its architect was a local man, Thomas Wainwaring Penson (1818-64). The chapels and entrance gate are now listed by English Heritage. Besides two chapels, two lodges and a chaplain's house, the original Victorian cemetery contained an ornamental lake with three small islands. Sadly, none of th...