Karen
@songthrush83.bsky.social
History nerd. Nature lover. Cat magnet. Cemetery wanderer.
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
November 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
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
Reposted by Karen
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.
November 8, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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.
Reposted by Karen
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.
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.
November 8, 2025 at 10:15 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Karen
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.
👇🏼Sketch from 1825.
November 7, 2025 at 6:08 PM
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.
👇🏼Sketch from 1825.
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
November 7, 2025 at 6:48 PM
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
Reposted by Karen
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
Which is your favourite?
From the Visigothic Necropolis of Duratón, near Segovia, Spain.
Casa del Sol Museum, Segovia
📷 by me
#Archaeology
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
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
Which is your favourite?
From the Visigothic Necropolis of Duratón, near Segovia, Spain.
Casa del Sol Museum, Segovia
📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Karen
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
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 AM
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
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.
November 3, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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.
Reposted by Karen
Gravestone of Elizabeth Work, 1743, in Eastford, Connecticut. Carved by an unidentified local carver who is known as the “Eastford Dot Carver.”
November 3, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Gravestone of Elizabeth Work, 1743, in Eastford, Connecticut. Carved by an unidentified local carver who is known as the “Eastford Dot Carver.”
Reposted by Karen
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
November 2, 2025 at 8:12 AM
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
Reposted by Karen
Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student
Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student
Fitzwilliam Museum has uncovered student’s work from 1977 that revealed Cambridgeshire location of child’s burial place
An A-level pupil found the lost grave of the Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano’s daughter, revealing a story of love and solidarity in 18th-century rural England.
Olaudah Equiano (1745-1797), also known as Gustavus Vassa, escaped enslavement to become a celebrated author and campaigner in Georgian England. His memoir, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African, was a bestseller. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:26 AM
Lost grave of daughter of Black abolitionist Olaudah Equiano found by A-level student
Reposted by Karen
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.
November 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM
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.
Reposted by Karen
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...
thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/a...
October 31, 2025 at 4:43 PM
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...
thevictorianbookofthedead.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/a...
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.
October 31, 2025 at 6:21 PM
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.
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.
October 30, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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.
Reposted by Karen
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
#OnePlaceWednesday
October 29, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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
#OnePlaceWednesday
#31daysofgraves day 29 - occupation. Blacksmith Charles Copnall’s headstone is shaped like an anvil with a hammer resting on top. Inscription in alt text.
October 29, 2025 at 9:07 AM
#31daysofgraves day 29 - occupation. Blacksmith Charles Copnall’s headstone is shaped like an anvil with a hammer resting on top. Inscription in alt text.
#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.”
October 28, 2025 at 2:20 PM
#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.”
#31daysofgraves 27 - tree. A posthumous aptonym for Thomas Underwood who rests under a large yew tree. Inscription in alt text.
October 27, 2025 at 5:46 PM
#31daysofgraves 27 - tree. A posthumous aptonym for Thomas Underwood who rests under a large yew tree. Inscription in alt text.
Reposted by Karen
#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...
gravelyspeaking.com/2024/10/12/b...
October 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
#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...
gravelyspeaking.com/2024/10/12/b...
Reposted by Karen
Two girls with garlands, protected by an angel. A pleasing piece of late Victorian sentiment in Ipswich Old Cemetery.
#31daysofgraves 26: figures
#31daysofgraves 26: figures
October 26, 2025 at 11:07 AM
Two girls with garlands, protected by an angel. A pleasing piece of late Victorian sentiment in Ipswich Old Cemetery.
#31daysofgraves 26: figures
#31daysofgraves 26: figures
#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.
October 26, 2025 at 10:30 AM
#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.
Reposted by Karen
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.
October 26, 2025 at 10:06 AM
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.
#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
October 25, 2025 at 9:57 AM
#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
#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
October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
#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