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  1. #1
    Reider
    Guest

    Unhappy St.Helens Chapelyard Bonnybridge

    I believe my ancestors are buried in St. Helens Chapelyard, Bonnybridge.
    This was a small cemetery that was closed in 1969 and all tombstones were
    laid flat and buried. All burials were pre 1855.
    Also looking for old photograph of this cemetery. I have seen one but person not
    willing to share !!!!
    Contacted Callander House in Falkirk but they don't have a good photo.
    Any information on this cemetery or photo would be appreciated.
    Thanks.

    Reider

  2. #2
    Penny Gallo
    Guest

    Default Hi Reider

    I'm presuming that the chapel is different from St Helen's Church at Bonneybridge, which has a website. However I have found a link on the Falkirk Local History Society. I haven't yet found a photo of the chapel yard but they are still building the site - and the one of the Bonneybridge Fire Service is certainly fascinating!
    https://www.falkirklocalhistorysociet...ndex.php?cid=8

    They do mention that people can write to them, so it may be worth you contacting them. Happy hunting. PS That's a bit unfriendly for someone not to share their photo with you!

  3. #3
    Knowledgeable and helpful
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Cambridgeshire
    Posts
    955

    Default

    Hi,

    There's a collection of photos re Bonnybridge on

    https://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/stjosephs...llery_numb.htm

    maybe these will lead you somewhere useful?

    Browneyes

  4. #4
    Daeganne
    Guest

    Default

    I realise this thread is nearly a year old, but though I'd post some info anyway.

    The Chapel Yard was officially closed 4th May 1915 and when the ground was being cleared, any existing stones were buried. The earliest date found on inscriptions was 1717, the most recent 1893. No Burial Records are known to exist.

    However, in "The Vale of Bonny", by J. Waugh, the following people are listed as having been buried there:

    James Forestor, November 1860 aged 64
    James Newlands, Seabegs, 16th February 1871 aged 90
    Child (Grand-daughter of James Newlands), 16th February 1871 aged 9
    Mrs. Scott, Bonnybridge, January 1885
    Mrs. Thomson, May 1889, aged 73
    Mrs. Gardiner, 11th September 1897 aged 91
    2 Children (of Robert Marshall, Bonnybridge)
    Walter Grindlay, October 1887 aged 37
    Willie Wyse

    A few years ago, Councillor Billy Buchanan organised a remembrance ceremony and had a fairly large slate stone erected along with a memorial plaque, which reads:

    "This is the site of the ancient St. helen's Chapel Yard Burial Ground dating back to the 12th Century.

    The last burial was (circa) 1900.

    The Chapel Yard was closed down and cleared in 1971.

    The little churchyard, desolate and lone
    but dotted off with monumental stone
    names sculptured there enquiring vision greets
    of those who once with pride traversed the streets of Bonnybridge"


    The plaque obviously contradicts the initial information above, which was taken from various documentation held by Falkirk Archives in Callendar House.

    I have a photo of the Memorial Stone. If anyone wants a copy, send me a PM.

    Daeganne

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