Open Doors!

Had a fabulous weekend - it was Doors Open Day weekend here in Greenock.

 

There were so many interesting venues to choose from.  On Saturday I visited the Wellpark Mid Kirk church in Greenock which I had been in before, but hadn't really taken the time to investigate.  The stained glass windows were absolutely amazing!  Its a great chance to take lots of photos and act like a tourist in your own town!

 

On Sunday I was part of a Greenock Cemetery walk - I got the opportunity to talk about some of the research work I had done on various interesting graves - including Walter Washington Buchanan, George Washington's godson who I've blogged about before.  There are some very interesting people buried in Greenock Cemetery!

 

I really didn't think that the walk would go ahead as the weather was dreadful here on Sunday, but we went anyway, and I think those who came along enjoyed it!  So, that's why I've not been blogging quite so regularly, been so busy doing research, which I love!

 

Might have a bit more time for blogging now.

 

Love, Liz

Tourist in my own Town of Greenock

What a wonderful scheme "Doors Open Day" is!  It is a fabulous time to explore places that you would not normally have the opportunity to visit and hear more about the history of your home town.  On Sunday I was fortunate to be among those visiting the Inverkip Street/Duncan Street cemetery in Greenock.  It is a quiet place and, although it is not far from the centre of town, this was the first time I had ventured inside.

The tour was run by Inverclyde Tourist Group.  A couple of their members had done a lot of research into the history of some of the people who were buried there.

This cemetery was closed in 1859.  The new Greenock Cemetery (which I've blogged about often) was opened in 1846.

Some of the gravestones are from the 18th century.  Many are of merchants and shipowners of the town. 

The word relict - what a horrible word, in this case means widow.  It makes me think that these women were poor broken-down things (which perhaps some of them were).  What a shame that four of their children died young - a common story in those days, I suppose.

Love, Liz

Just me and the Rabbits!

I paid another visit to Greenock Cemetery recently.

There's something about the place which just sets my imagination off on its travels.

Who were these people?

Why did they choose the imagery which decorates the graves of their loved ones?  Was it something to do with the trades they were involved in?  Being a port town, there are a lot of ship and anchor sculptures.

 

Think it's the gravestone that's squinty, not my photo!

I wasn't the only visitor!

Love, Liz

A Visit to Greenock Cemetery

If I said I had an interesting trip up to the cemetery today - would I sound a bit odd!?!?  (Perhaps you shouldn't answer that!)

Took loads of photos - it was so interesting!

It was established in 1846 when there was no room left in the old cemetery in Inverkip Street.  It has some marvellous carved tombstones - some are quite ornate.

Some are just plain, but no less touching in the sentiments they convey.



Mother with baby at breast - how touching and sad!



There is something about cemetery sculpture which is so moving!  Especially the ones where lots of children from the family died in infancy.



Click to see more detail - it is in memory of "Little Neil" - oh how sad!

Actually saw a young deer, but didn't get my camera out in time to take photo, unfortunately.  Did see lots of squirrels and birds, though.

Hope you don't think this is too morbid!

Love, Liz