Stapleford Cemetery Project
The Chapel at the entrance to the Cemetery
Stapleford U3A
Councillor Chris Rice Mayor of Stapleford being presented with one of the books by (left to right) Janet Cross, Cheryl Cooper & Sharon Bosworth at our monthly U3A meeting.
Stapleford U3A
Some of the Volunteers
Stapleford U3A
Sharon Bosworth
In 2017 Stapleford U3A took on the task of recording the gravestone memorials at our local cemetery. The first part is now complete.
We started this because we wanted to 'put something back' and if we can help someone go one step further in their genealogical research then we would consider our job well done.
The idea for this project came originally from Cheryl Cooper and Janet Cross, relatives, who were doing their own family history. They started planning and plotting the cemetery and it soon became obvious what a great undertaking it was. As they were both members of Stapleford & District U3A Family History group they approached Sharon Bosworth, the group co-ordinator, and told her of their intentions.
The U3A were completely supportive of the project and member volunteers spent the summer transcribing the gravestone memorials at the Stapleford Cemetery. Between 10 & 15 volunteers have spent many hours at the cemetery mapping & noting the inscriptions of over 750 memorial stones with around 1200 names. (Sharon, Janet and Cheryl spent many more hours typing and checking the transcriptions).
Sadly there are many many more unmarked graves which we have been unable to record. It was enjoyable but at times a challenge. Many of the inscriptions were virtually illegible. All the more reason to do this job sooner rather than later. Anyone who has done any family history research will know how important this sort of information is and the need to record it. So far only the oldest part, where the first burial took place in 1881, has been done. It is proposed to continue with this project over the next 2 years to completely transcribe the whole of Stapleford Cemetery. We received a grant from Stapleford Town Council which enabled us to put the project into print and copies will be deposited in the Stapleford, Beeston, and Nottingham Local Studies Libraries and Nottinghamshire Archives.
I hope you find it interesting and useful. If you would like to know more about the project or Stapleford U3A you will find more information and contact details on their website.