West Cemetery Headstones
West Cemetery Headstone Inscription Records.
Since 2002 members of Darlington Historical Society and other volunteers have been recording the inscriptions on the headstone in the West Cemetery.
Another group of volunteers have transferred this information to the web site database.
Up to the end of 2011 we have recorded and entered into the data base information from over 8800 headstones resulting in over 20,000 individual records on the data base. Recording and data entering continues.
Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure that these records are accurate some errors will have occurred during recording and transcribing. If you do find an error please advise the Darlington Historical Society in order that we may correct it.
If you have found this database of use please let us know by posting a message on our Message Board or by sending an email.
In addition to the inscription on the headstone they have recorded the location, the shape, the condition, and where available the cemetery reference number and the name of the mason who made the stone.
Also available is a drawing of the whole cemetery showing section identification letters and individual drawings are available for each section indicating how rows and headstone numbers are to be found.
Headstones are identified by section letter, row number and headstone number in a row.
Headstones are consecutively numbered as existing at the time of recording, and missing or new headstones are omitted from the sequential numbering. Headstone number one is usually the first existing headstone in a row nearest to the central roadway. There are some exceptions to this but the exceptions are noted on the individual section drawings.
The headstone being identified by the section letter then by the row number and then by the headstone number in that row.
For example, the 5th headstone in row 6 of section B is identified as - B / 6 / 5
The West Cemetery headstone data base can be search by selecting the link which will transfer you to the internet web page.
Using the data base
The database will open in a separate window. Please click the link below.
Select Cemetery Database
When the data base opens select the capital letter of the surname of the person for whom you are searching.
A list will open with the surnames of all persons on the database beginning with that letter.
Each name will have forenames, date of death and where available date of birth.
When you select one of the list, the data sheet for that person will open, giving all available information together with a transcription of the headstone inscription.
This sheet can be printed.
Locating a headstone
If you now wish to locate the actual headstone in the cemetery make a note of the section letter, the row number and headstone number.
From “West Cemetery Plan” identify the section you wish to find
Using the “section plan” as a guide, locate the headstone you require.
Remember:-
Row numbers start at the end of the section nearest the main gate.
Headstone number one in any row is usually the first headstone in the row nearest the central road way ( From main gate towards the crematorium). There are exceptions to this rule but any exceptions are noted on the individual section plans.
Headstone numbers refer to headstones seen at time of recording and do not refer to plots where there are no headstones .
West Cemetery Plans
The plans will open in a separate window. Please click the link below.
West Cemetery Plan dated shows the position of the various sections within the cemetery.
Plans of individual sections can be viewed on the Internet web pages by following the link on the web pages
Darlington West Cemetery Plans
West Cemetery Headstone Database
Cemetery Plot Numbers
Some headstones have the cemetery plot numbers inscribed on the rear of the headstone. It is not possible to convert this number to the numbering system used in this data base.
The plot numbers appear for example as J. 8K. 105. Where J is the section identity letter, in most cases the same is used for data base. 8K indicates the row identity letter, with the number in front of the letter indicating the number of times the letter as been used when identifying rows by the alphabet starting from the Main entrance. 105 indicates the plot no. Plots in each row nearest the north side of the central roadway are numbered 100 increasing towards the north. Plots to the south of the central roadway are numbered 99 decreasing towards the south. This is very much a generalisation and slight variations have occurred as new sections have been added.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
If the person you are looking for died on active service you will find their details on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web site. Information includes those people laid to rest in Darlington cemeteries.
The database will open in a separate window. Please click the link below.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
West Cemetery Enquiries
If you have a specific question regarding a relative whom you think may be buried in West cemetery can you please e-mail it to the Society using the Mail Form. We will try and help in anyway we can
|
