18th Century Gravestones, Oldham

[poliphilo]

Comments

[aellia.livejournal.com]

Eight children. Poor Abraham and Sarah.
Is this just a place for them or can people walk over them?

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed. They lost eight children over a period of 18 years. I don't think this was exceptional. I wonder how many survived?

This is the open area in front of the south door of the church. The gravestones are being used as pavement.

[tamnonlinear.livejournal.com]

I've seen that in my family history as well. It was strangest when the parents were trying to name a child after someone, but the kids died, so they gave the next kid that name and hoped it would take on another try.

I am so glad I live in an age with birth control, good food, and antibiotics.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I've seen the burial registers for Oldham in the 19th century- when it was a hell-hole of a cotton town. They're horrendous. Vast numbers of people were dying in their teens and early 20s- many of them, almost cetainly, of TB.