St. Helen’s church, Sandal burial records and burial plot records.

St Helen’s, Sandal via
Wikipedia

While visiting the website of St. Helen’s church, to see if they were open this weekend (Heritage Weekend), I came across something that will be of use to family historians, both at home and overseas – I can only hope that other churches will do the same.

What has St. Helen’s done?     St. Helen’s church have transcribed their burial records, scanned the burial plans and added them to their website content and is searchable.

The burial plans – The burial plans are available Free to download, available in sections with a master plan showing the sections, paths and boundaries.  The majority of the plans have a surname written within each plot – very handy for confirming the correct plot by using the surrounding names as a guide.

What information do I get?     The burial  information is quite basic – Surname; First name(s); Burial date; Section and Plot.

Although the information available is basic, it can be enough to conform a relative’s burial, or make a visit worthwhile.  But, and there is always one of those, isn’t there?  It does not tell you if there is a headstone!  A visit is sometimes only worth the journey if there is something physical to see.   That little problem could be solved though, as Wakefield & District Family History Society have transcribed the headstones and monuments for St. Helen’s, Sandal.    With a bit of planning, you could find the section for your relative(s) on the St. Helen’s website, next find the transcription booklets on the family history society site –   then only buy index of names or the section book you need.

Who can I find in the records? – J. D. Tute who rests in Section 4E Plot 47.  J. D.

De Tute headstone St Helen’s church.
image C Sklinar

Tute is infact Joseph De Tute who was buried and the headstone includes Charles Henry, Albert Gaunt and Elizabeth.

At St Catherine’s church on October the 20th 1879, Joseph and Elizabeth de Tute, took four children to be baptised – John Thomas, Joseph, Charles Henry and Ben.  Joseph was a foreman Poster and either he gave his address as St Catherine’s or the Vicar Edward Rowland, simply entered the parish, as all his entries did.

I suggest you visit St Helen’s church website if you have family from the surrounding area  – it may be of help with your research.    Pictures of St Helen’s churchyard and other churchyards in the Wakefield area can be found here