Memorial Inscriptions
These are usually inscribed on gravestones. Due to weathering and removal for safety reasons or reuse of the grave, few memorial stones survive from before the mid nineteenth century. They can be particularly useful in identifying children who died in infancy and who were subsequently buried in a family plot. The only effective way of finding a family memorial in massive municipal cemeteries is by reference to the cemetery burial index which usually identifies locations by block, row and grave number.
As very few of the labouring classes could afford a memorial stone, therefore this source of information is usually only useful as a genealogical resource when related to tradesmen or gentry. Memorial plaques within churches are usually confined to commemorating deceased gentry.
Many villages, churches, town squares and even municipal buildings have war memorials, on which are inscribed the names of those who died in various wars. Cross referencing the names of individuals with those in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission web-site (address - http://www.cwgc.org/) can be informative.
