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#31daysofgraves day 4 - entrance. These lych gates at the entrance to Codnor Cemetery were erected in 1921 to serve as a memorial to the men of the parish who died in the Great War. (Photo from 2018.)

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Day 3 of #31daysofgraves - glass. Enoch Beresford died aged 92 in 1900 after slipping on some ice. His inquest was held at the Glasshouse Inn.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Day 2 of #31daysofgraves - urn. Here’s one on top of a monument marking the grave of three members of the Cooper family. #cemetery

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Day 1 of #31daysofgraves - flower. Some beautifully carved roses on the grave of shoemaker John Worley and his wife Thirza.

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Dr Anna Fairley Nielsson @annaandthedead.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

#31DaysOfGraves starts TOMORROW! Welcoming posts from graveyards, cemeteries, or related places throughout October. No rules - interpret however and wherever you want, but AI is strongly discouraged. Image is the New Jewish Cemetery in Kraków. #cemetery #graveyard #heritage #genealogy

An image of the New Jewish Cemetery, Kraków, overlaid with text:
#31 Days of Graves
Day 1: Flower
Day 2: Urn
Day 3: Glass
Day 4: Entrance
Day 5: Vehicle
Day 6: Weather
Day 7: Home
Day 8: Animal
Day 9: Lettering
Day 10: Missing
Day 11: Humorous
Day 12: Ordinary
Day 13: Unusual
Day 14: Brick
Day 15: Language
Day 16: Faith
Day 17: Music
Day 18: Earth
Day 19: Water
Day 20: Fire
Day 21: Air
Day 22: Mourning
Day 23: Wings
Day 24: Contrast
Day 25: Tree
Day 26: Accident
Day 27: Portrait
Day 28: Landscape
Day 29: Fruits/Vegetables
Day 30: Colour
Day 31: Memento Mori

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

“Never in my life have I seen a ghost, and never in my life have I ever stated that there were ‘weird happenings’ at the Memorial Hall.” From the newspaper archives, 1929. #phantomsfriday

THE CHADDESDEN CHURCH HALL “GHOST”

To the Editor

Sir, There is no truth whatsoever in the statement that a ghost haunts the Memorial Hall. I have been grossly misrepresented in the “Derby Daily Express” when they publish an interview under my name to the effect that I heard mysterious noises in the hall.

The only noises I heard were such as could have quite easily been caused by the opening of a door by the wind. Never in my life have I seen a ghost, and never in my life have I stated that there were “weird happenings” at the Memorial Hall.

There was nothing mysterious whatsoever. It was probably caused by the weather.

Signed, A. C. Davison.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Actually July 1963, not June.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

Vintage shenanigans for #Caturday - mysterious happenings in Barnet, June 1963. Also a priceless quote from a policeman. #newspaperarchives

Police hunt for second cheetah-like animal.

Police in Barnet today hunted for “a cheetah-like animal” which frightened a dental mechanic and his wife.

Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Reboul, of Wood Street, Barnet, were woken today by screaming of cats.

Mr. Reboul said he went into the garden and “saw a big black animal” in an apple tree trying to catch a ginger cat.

It had a broad face, long teeth and dark fur. “Once it looked at me with big yellow eyes,” he said. “It quite put the wind up me.”

On searching for the animal without success, a senior police officer said “We think it was foxes, unless the cheetah from Woolwich has come up on the tube.”

Last week in Woolwich police mounted a large-scale search for an animal variously described as a cheetah or a leopard seen in the vicinity.

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Friends of Lister Lane Cemetery (KAVS) @listerlanecem.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

Remembering staymaker Joseph Gledhill, who died #OTD 1856, aged 94. The oldest man interred at the cemetery. Burial was in a public grave. In 2015, the Friends erected a monument over the grave in memory of Adrian Smith, commemorating Waterloo veteran Daniel Milton & the 29 others, including Joseph.

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Debbie Cameron @debsadelight.bsky.social · 18/03/2026

a grocery list written by Michelangelo March 18, 1518, Illustrated for Illiterate Servants: he sketched the items alongside the text because his servants were probably illiterate Menu Items: The list includes bread, wine, herring, fennel soup, and anchovies! Tasty! Full list in alt txt

Translation
Two loaves of bread
A salted herring
A herring
Tortelli (stuffed pasta)
A salted herring
Four loaves of bread
A bocal of wine
A quartuccio of bruscho wine
A plate of spinach
Four anchovies
Tortelli
Six loaves of bread
Two fennel soups
A herring
A bocal of wine
[Illegible text]
[Illegible text]

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

The Rev. James Mockler was born in Ireland in 1810 and was vicar of Denby in Derbyshire from 1845 until his death in 1900. He asked to be buried near his wife Elizabeth and son James who died in 1870 and 1863 respectively. His grave is marked by this beautiful Celtic cross.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

Found this gem in the British Newspaper Archives this week - the Hayfield Resurrection. The writer of the article suggests that it probably began as a parable and over time evolved into local folklore. #PhantomsFriday

The Hayfield Resurrection is perhaps the most curious of the old Derbyshire legends as to these uncanny happenings. The story of it is told in a letter said to have been addressed by Dr. Clegg, at one time Presbyterian Minister at Chapel-en-le-Frith, to the Rev. Ebenezer Latham, of Findern, in which he avers that at Hayfield “several hundreds of bodies rose out of the open graves in the open day, to the great terror of several spectators…They deserted the coffin, and arising out of the grave immediately ascended towards heaven, singing in concert all along…They left a most fragrant and delicious odour behind them.” If this statement were really made by the rev. gentleman we imagine it would be by way of some sort of parable. It is not stated by whom the letter was actually ever seen.

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Wardsend Cemetery Heritage Park @wardsendcemetery.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

'I miss you because I love you. You were dearer than silver or gold.' 'In loving memory of Joseph, the beloved husband of Elizabeth Cresswell' Joseph died on 6th March 1949. He was 63 .

This memorial at Wardsend has the following inscription:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOSEPH,

THE BELOVED HUSBAND OF ELIZABETH CRESSWELL WHO DIED MARCH 6TH 1949, AGED 63 YEARS.

I MISS YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU, YOU WERE DEARER THAN SILVER OR GOLD.

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The English Oak Project @thekentacorn.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

Love where you live, and honour your ancestors

A memorial to a young girl in a Tonbridge cemetery

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Treated myself to a birthday book from @foxlanebooks.bsky.social Really good selection of natural history and nature writing, took me a while to choose. #booksky

Paperback copy of Taking Flight: How animals learned to fly and transformed life on Earth by Lev Parikian.

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The English Oak Project @thekentacorn.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

Forever young, sisters Mabel and Emma are host to an ever increasing cover of wildflowers They fell asleep days apart, comforted by their eternal bond, embraced by their closeness to nature’s finest

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 24/12/2025

On Christmas Eve 1944, my great-grandparents Tom and Elsie Hubball hosted a party to raise money for the local Red Cross branch. My grandad’s brother dressed as Santa. My grandparents had been married around 14 months. #familyhistory #localhistory #Derbyshire

A most enjoyable evening was spent on Christmas Eve at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Hubball, Hollywell Avenue. (Mr. Hubball has recently returned from the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary, after a stay of some months, following an accident at Ormonde Colliery, in which he sustained a broken leg and other injuries.) During the evening Santa Claus (Mr. Edwin Sharp) presented each guest with a present. A collection was made and realised £1. 2s., which has been given to Codnor Red Cross Funds.

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Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 23/12/2025

Made a tiny Christmas tree out of fossils: the stars are crinoid ossicles, the trunk dinosaur bone & the branches are sharks’ teeth 🎄🦴

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 22/12/2025

On this day in 1848, Emily Brontë was interred in the family vault in Haworth church. Here’s a photo I took of a copy of the burial record on display in the church in 2018. It’s signed by the Curate, Arthur Nicholls, Charlotte’s future husband.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

Saw this in Ripley Cemetery today. At some point in time the headstone has fallen backwards and now the tree is growing around it, holding it fast. #cemetery #gravestone #cemeterywandering

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

You can often find snippets of oral history to add to your research by searching newspaper archives for terms like nonagenarian, golden/diamond wedding, grand old lady/man. Older residents were often asked what their town/village was like when they were young. #oneplacewednesday

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Caitlin G. DeAngelis @caitlindeangelis.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

The problem is that juuuuust as the light is about to be perfect, the sun goes behind a decorative peak on the church next door. This is the shot a minute before the block - might be the best I can do.

Same gravestone, better lit but not perfectly. Inscription: Seeth Andrew daughter to William and Seeth Andrew aged 10 years died September ye 21 1700

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Anna Mazzola @annamazz.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

PLEASE DO NOT ASK STAFF WHERE DRACULA’S GRAVE IS THERE ISN’T ONE. Iconic sign from St Mary’s Church next to Whitby Abbey. I love that people think Bram Stoker’s Dracula was a real person/vampire who lived and died in Whitby.

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Nat Doig @weirdinthewade.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

On Monday (10th November) there’s a new episode of Weird in the Wade about a poltergeist that rattled Biggleswade in the 1990s. I’m joined by a very special guest (I’ll announce who this weekend) and there’s an update from Andy about his “haunted house.” 👻 👇🏼Sketch from 1825.

A sketch of a ghost in 19th century night gown and hat and a woman in bed screaming.

Engraving by George Cruikshank
Captioned "A tall figure her sight engross' d,/And it cried,’ Giles Scroggin's Ghost."
Originally from "The Universal Songster"

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 07/11/2025

One of my favourite ghost story books, including tales of headless phantoms, ghostly footsteps and screaming skulls. It also has a wonderfully creepy illustration in the introduction 👻 : Ghosts of Derbyshire, published in the 1970s. #phantomsfriday

The cover of a paperback book Ghosts of Derbyshire. The title is in black text on a background of white, yellow and blue. There are sketchy images of a skull, a ghostly monk and the crooked spire of Chesterfield cathedral.

A creepy illustration of ghostly woman done in a loose line drawing style. Her long hair covers her face and she is holding her hair with her right hand. She holds out her left hand as though she is pointing at someone or something.

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Alison Fisk @alisonfisk.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Fabulous Visigothic bronze belt buckles inlaid with cloisonné glass. AD 500s. Which is your favourite? From the Visigothic Necropolis of Duratón, near Segovia, Spain. Casa del Sol Museum, Segovia 📷 by me #Archaeology

My photos show four ornate Visigothic bronze belt buckles arranged in a 2 x 2 grid. Each buckle has a rectangular plate decorated with colourful glass (red, blue, green) inlaid into metal cells using cloisonné technique, and a chunky curved metal loop and prong. They adorned leather belts which Visigothic women wore over a tunic (probably) as a status symbol. Excavated between 1942 and 1949 by Antonio Molinero from the necropolis of Duratón near Segovia, Spain. They are on display at the Casa del Sol Museum in Segovia.

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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 05/11/2025

Guy Fawkes was born around Aprill in 1570 in Stonegate, York. He was baptised at St Michael le Belfrey (below) on the 15th of that month. His father, a Church of England lawyer, died when Guy was eight. His mother later married a Catholic, which, along with Guy’s schooling at St Peter’s

St Michael le Belfrey church York where Guy Fawkes was baptised.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

The village of Ambergate in Derbyshire is named for being the place where the river Amber meets the Derwent. Here’s the view from Halfpenny Bridge.

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Gravestones of New England @gravestones-ne.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

Gravestone of Elizabeth Work, 1743, in Eastford, Connecticut. Carved by an unidentified local carver who is known as the “Eastford Dot Carver.”

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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

In the unassuming but atmospheric graveyard of Whitechapel Church in the former textile town of Cleckheaton where I am now living, lies this fascinating mid 19th century gravestone, I had not heard of New Grenada. Bogota was at that time the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty

graveyard of Whitechapel Church in the former textile town of Cleckheaton where I am now living, lies this fascinating mid 19th century gravestone, I had not heard of New Grenada. Bogota was at that time the capital of the Spanish Viceroyalty which was a colonial territory that included parts of modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela.

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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

As we approach All Souls Day when in many countries, people remember their loved ones who have died, the lovely story of a small Yorkshire community who many years ago came together to ensure that everyone could be buried with dignity. The story of the Farndale Hearse. Please enlarge the image.

The story of how a Victorian Yorkshire community came together to ensure that everyone could be buried with dignity. (Article John Heywood)

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Chris Woodyard @chriswoodyard.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Another for #PhantomsFriday and #Halloween. A woman stumbles upon a church full of dead worshippers--including her late husband and child. It proves a dire omen. thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/a...

Ruined chapel in brownish stone in a churchyard full of tombstones with carved tops.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 31/10/2025

Before today’s post I just want to say a little thank you to @annaandthedead.bsky.social and @orsa-marga.bsky.social for curating this little community for those of us who appreciate the value and beauty of graveyards and churches. I’ve really enjoyed seeing everyone’s posts.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

Day 30 #31daysofgraves - colour. A red, blue, gold and white Christogram inlaid on the headstone of William Righton who died aged 31 in 1867. I’m impressed at the durability of this decoration, considering it’s over a hundred and fifty years old.

A headstone with the top part shaped like a cross. There is a colourful inlaid Christogram in gold on a blue background with a white crown at each corner, and a border of red with gold xs. The inscription reads:

In affectionate remembrance of
William son of
William and Mary B. Righton
Who died January 21st 1867
Aged 31 years

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Liz @willsmanonename.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Don’t forget to look at the county information in the front pages of Kelly’s, White’s & Pigot's directories. They can contain useful information about ancient history, geography & agriculture, as these images of pages from the 1855 White´s Directory show #OnePlaceWednesday

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 29 - occupation. Blacksmith Charles Copnall’s headstone is shaped like an anvil with a hammer resting on top. Inscription in alt text.

A headstone shaped like an anvil with a hammer resting on top, partially covered with soft, feathery moss. The inscription reads:

The labours of a well-spent life end in great reward
To
A loving husband and father
CHARLES COPNALL
Died May 4th 1935
Aged 65 years
Also of
EMILY KATE COPNALL
Died Dec 18th 1941
Aged 62 years
Reunited

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 28 - column. I know I’m slightly cheating by posting a photo of a grave I used for another prompt but I remembered I have the original paperwork for it: “best York stone coursing, best White Hard Sicilian Marble Column Headstone, Kerbs, and Posts, as design selected.”

An invoice from James Beresford and Sons, Belper, monument makers. The total cost of the headstone, including the inscription and cemetery fees was £32 11s

A marble headstone with two columns on each side. The inscription reads:

In memory of
Sarah Ann
Beloved wife of
William Mills
Who died 15th July 1934
Aged 79 years
Time passes, shadows fall,
But love and remembrance outlast all.
From husband, sons and daughters.
Also of William,
Husband of the above
Who died 15th February 1936
Aged 80 years
Re-united.

William’s date of death is incorrect, it should read 12th February.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

#31daysofgraves 27 - tree. A posthumous aptonym for Thomas Underwood who rests under a large yew tree. Inscription in alt text.

A Victorian headstone partly shaded by the branches of the large yew tree that stands close to it. The inscription reads:

In affectionate remembrance of
Thomas Underwood
Of Codnor
Who died on the 12 day of December 1879
Aged 44 years

He was an example of Christian integrity and usefulness, true and just in all his dealings, and one who, while not slothful in business was fervent in spirit while serving the Lord.

Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace.

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Chris Woodyard @chriswoodyard.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

#31daysofgraves #26 figure When young Margaret Pitkin died of meningitis in 1899, her father was said to have given her photo to the sculptor with instructions to carve an exact replica. He then refused to pay-why? See links. www.findagrave.com/memorial/299... gravelyspeaking.com/2024/10/12/b...

Statue in grey stone showing a little girl in a dress with a ruffled collar, hand on cheek, leaning on a fence with a lily and other flowers on each upright post.

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Simon Knott @simonknott.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Two girls with garlands, protected by an angel. A pleasing piece of late Victorian sentiment in Ipswich Old Cemetery. #31daysofgraves 26: figures

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

#31daysofgraves 26 - figure. This sweet little effigy is perched on the grave of John Peter Hodgkinson who died in 1932 aged 1yr 2mths. I took this picture in 2022 when someone had given him a small toy dog to hold. His mother Agnes died less than 3 years later and is buried with him.

A small stone effigy of a young boy sitting on a sculpted base which is made to look like natural rock. He is in a seated position with his ankles crossed. The boy is looking directly at the viewer and holds out his left hand where someone has placed a small soft toy dog. His right hand rests on the rock and holds a wilted flower.

The inscription reads:
In loving memory of
John Peter
beloved child of
J & A Hodgkinson
Who died Sept 24 1932
Aged 1 year and 2 months
Some day, some day our eyes shall see the face we keep in memory.

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History and Heritage Yorkshire @handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

The Rockingham Mausoleum at Nether Haugh was built between 1784-1793 by John Carr for William Wentworth Fitzwilliam in memory of his uncle, Charles Wentworth, 2nd Marquis of Rockingham and Prime Minister at the time of his death in 1782. The monument was largely complete by 1789.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 25 - ornament; a simple wooden cross on the grave of Ernest Dring who died in 1937, and his parents. He served during WW1 and was badly wounded and taken prisoner in March 1917. He was released at the Armistice and worked as a miner but his health never fully recovered. 1/2

A headstone decorated with carved lilies and a Christogram. The inscription reads:

In loving memory of
Joseph
The beloved husband of
Lydia Dring
Died December 31st 1926
Aged 76 years
Peace after pain
Also of
Lydia, wife of above
Died August 17th 1937
Aged 82 years
Grant her o Lord eternal rest
Also of
Ernest Dring
Died December 1937
Aged 49 years
At rest

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 24 - unique animal. This is a picture I took in Feb 2015 of the pet cemetery at Hopton Hall, Derbyshire. One of the pets buried there is Boris the Russian wolfhound “who met death beneath the wheels of a motor car” in 1916. #petcemetery

A muddy path leading through a small pet cemetery. There are clumps of snowdrops growing next to the path. Small headstones mark where various pets are buried.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 23 - cross. This stone cross sculpted to make it look like wood stands on the grave of Selina Elizabeth Woodruff who died in 1910, aged 22. Her death notice states that she died “after a long and painful illness”. Her paternal grandmother, also Selina Elizabeth, died in 1911.

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Simon Knott @simonknott.bsky.social · 23/10/2025

The Barochan Cross, c1000, a rare grave cross survival from the Kingdom of Strathclyde. Remarkably, it stood outside for nearly a thousand years, before being conserved in 1977 and reset in Paisley Abbey. #31DaysofGraves 23: cross

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 22/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 22 - landscape. In early spring, Codnor churchyard is full of snowdrops, and a little later, primroses. By April the cemetery is full of daffodils and crocuses, and the cherry trees blossom. In summer, the fox-and-cubs (orange hawkweed) takes its turn. Such a beautiful place.

Clumps of snowdrops growing by the churchyard wall.

A large patch of primroses in full bloom, in the sunshine by the churchyard wall.

A patch of white and purple crocuses flowering in Codnor cemetery.

A path through the cemetery covered in fallen pink cherry blossom.

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Emma Mitchell @silverpebble2.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

When someone seeks to bring me down (had a bit of a rough time on twitter today) I have a strong urge to channel the grimness & angst into something positive. So, here’s a photo I took of some things I grew-really hope it makes your brain feel good🌿

A collection of flowering plants I grew placed on a black enamel background to create a gentle colour gradation.

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Karen @songthrush83.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

#31daysofgraves day 21 - bronze. The lychgates of Codnor Cemetery house the two bronze plaques that list the names of men from Codnor and Loscoe who died in the First World War. It was erected and unveiled in 1921. (I thought I had pictures of the plaques but I can’t find them.) 1/3

The wooden lychgates at Codnor Cemetery. Made of oak and decorated with carvings. There is a carved figure of the Risen Christ in the centre of the inscription “I am the resurrection and the life.”

A close up of one of the bronze plaques that make up the First World War memorial, with a wreath of poppies hung next to it. The wreath has a message attached that reads “From members of St James Church.”

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