Dysart Cemetery, Windmill Road, Dysart, Fife, Scotland. Remains of old windmill tower in the background.
For as many generations as I’ve been able to trace back, branches of my family have lived and died in Dysart. Many are buried in Dysart Cemetery – including my paternal grandparents, two sets of great-grandparents, some great, great grandparents, various great uncles and aunts, and my older brother who was stillborn.
It’s a relatively new cemetery – nineteenth century – and is still in use. I been there twice recently, specifically to visit the graves of relatives I knew were there but found myself wandering between the rows of graves “just in case.” My searching was rewarded and although the headstones didn’t tell me much I didn’t already know, I’m really pleased to know that so many members of my family are all together in one place.
Daft, yeah. But it still makes me happy.
Shaking the tree 
I live in a small municipality called Dysart et al in Haliburton, Ontario. Wonderful to know there’s a Dysart on the other side of the world as well.
🙂 I think there is one in Australia as well – Queensland maybe? I wonder if the “colonial” Dysarts were named after the Scottish one – given the huge numbers of Scots who migrated to Australia, Canada, Africa, New Zealand.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Hi Su, not daft at all… I think it’s daft when people are afraid of cemeteries… I love to wander through. You never know who you will find…
Yes, there is a Dysart in Qld, in central Qld… a very small place…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dysart,_Queensland
Thanks. I do enjoy wandering around cemeteries; just noting things like the changing styles of the typeface used, or the euphemisms people used for death. I got quite expert at dating headstones from their shape, and style of type when I was in the UK.
And thanks for finding the “other” Dysart 🙂
You’re welcome.. I have been there but many years ago. It’s in my home state, so I did know it.
I feel the same about Wendall cemetery in Holbrook, Massachusetts. There are some many generations of my family buried there.
It’s a strangely wonderful feeling. I hardly knew my extended family as I grew up in New Zealand, but since beginning my research, I’ve come to feel very close to quite a few of my ancestors. I was really disappointed to discover that the old churchyard close to Dysart cemetery, where I think a couple of preceding generations are buried, was closed off because the church is being renovated as a community centre and the whole yard is classified as a building site. It was particularly hard as my “favourite” forbear – Susan Forbes – is buried there I believe.
I agree Sue… it is wonderful to have so many family laid to R.I.P. in one place. Mine is Cheltenham Cemetery, South Australia but unfortunately the plots are leased, some for as little as 25 years, and if the lease is not renewed the burial places of our Ancestors can be/ and are “recycled”. So, I certainly do commiserate with you re: your concern over the burial place of your Susan Forbes 😥
I once believed my maternal Grandmother’s grave was under a road in Yorkshire, England but found her safely tucked up safe and sound in a well tended, albeit “paupers grave” in a nearby cemetery… so fingers crossed for good news eventually on your Susan Forbes. 🙂
I can’t believe that plots could be leased; that’s just so bizarre. How upsetting for family members – especially when those being asked to renew a lease may be a generation or two distant from those interred.
I’m hoping that Susan Forbes – and her parents and siblings too I think – are same in the Dysart churchyard. I’m going to get in touch with the council to find out what is happening.
Thanks for your comments; I always enjoy talking to you.
I totally get that sense of completeness. There is something very soothing about having the previous generations gathered in one place….as though the jigsaw was complete 🙂
Thanks; that’s it exactly!
That’s not daft – it’s sentimental.
Thanks 🙂