Category: Memorial
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The Laundress
Reconnecting with a formidable woman from my family tree In the middle of Fulham, not too far from Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea Football Club, is a building that sticks out. In comparison to the streets of terraced housing that surrounds it – it doesn’t seem to fit. Over the last century or so this…
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Stumbling Stones
My foot scuffed something. I was walking down the Kloveniersburgwal in Amsterdam in 2018 when something slightly tripped me over. I looked down and saw something shiny embedded into the pavement. There were small plaques, which stood slightly proud from the brickwork. They resembled brass beer coasters, so I knelt down for a closer look.…
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The Man Who Taught the World How to Remember
On the 8th May 1919 an idea was suggested which shaped how we remember the First World War. I was on a deep-dive on the British Pathé website the other day (using the search term ‘cemeteries‘) and I came across this short clip that detailed a historic man’s grave: produced clearly with the intention of…
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The Afterlives of the Rich & Famous
A young American’s journey to visit the graves of every U.S. president, vice president, and other notables “Just tweeted this, because it’s ruddy brilliant!” That’s what Sheldon commented on my February 16th Instagram post, which showcased the final resting place of Richard McDonald, co-founder of the McDonald’s fast food restaurant chain. Dick’s urn, nestled in…
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The Top 6 Graves of Père-Lachaise
Here we go. Such has been my apprehension in attempting to write an entry about the most famous cemetery in the world that it’s taken me nearly a year to finally put my visit into words. How – how, dear reader – can you do justice to this place in one post? How can I convey…
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Blake’s New Headstone
Well this is something special! For years, fans of one of the nation’s greatest creative minds have had to make do with an approximate location of the great man’s final resting place. Thanks to long running efforts from a small band of his most ardent fans and the generation of £30,000 in fundraising, on Sunday…
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A True Companion
Have you seen the little grave of Carlton Terrace? Carlton Terrace is the site of a long-demolished home of George IV – it was his playboy mansion before he decided to settle for the much larger Buckingham Place (then House), as it was far better suited for his lavish parties. When it was demolished, the…
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Four Graves for Harvey Milk
To celebrate LGBT History month I’ve asked writers, historians and scientists to write about interesting queer people who now reside in our cemeteries and crematoriums. To start us off, I’m thrilled to have a blog post from Loren Rhoads, author of ‘199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die‘ and ‘Wish You Were Here: Adventures in…
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Our Top 8 Instagram Posts 2017
As 2017 makes way for 2018, I thought I’d highlight the nine most liked photos from our Instagram account – a lovely mix of photos and history: what’s your favourite? 8. The Biggest Bonsai Tree Did you know the man who created the area called ‘King’s Cross’ in London also created the world’s biggest Bonsai…
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Why Is King’s Cross Called ‘King’s Cross’?
I’m sure many of you have found yourself asking this exact question when walking through the concourse; eyeing the massive queue of people waiting patiently to clutch on to the luggage trolley that’s on its way to Platform 9 3/4. It’s all down to one man. An entrepreneur who, had he been alive today, would have…
Cemetery Club 