Bill Longbone and Pete Lowden from Friends of Hull General Cemetery have written several excellent *books related to the cemetery. The books look at the many facets of this intriguing site; its history, management, social aspects, finances and much more. They explore the lives and history of some of the more “important” inhabitants of the cemetery.
Utilising documents and archive material that have never been seen in public before it is hoped that the series will be a useful tool for both the student and local historian not only for Hull General Cemetery but for the Victorian Cemetery in general.
*You can purchase all of these books from Amazon (using the available links on this page), by asking on our Facebook page, or by popping into The Head Gardener on Spring Bank in Hull.
This volume examines the historical burial sites that catered for the people who lived in the environs of Kingston-Upon-Hull from the 14th century up until the end of the reign of Queen Victoria. Beginning with the first recorded burials in Hull, and then looking at the Reformation and its effect upon burial site.
The rise of Non-Conformity led to a great increase in the number of burial sites within Hull, and by the beginning of the 19th century the time was set for a revolution in the disposal of the dead.
The emergence of Hull General cemetery and the rise of municipal burial sites is fully explored.
The study concludes with an overview of odd and unusual burial sites that do not fall into the usual categories.
This volume examines the concept of the public grave and how it was not simply the preserve of the pauper but offered a decent burial to a much wider proportion of the town’s population than is generally thought. The relationships that the Cemetery enjoyed with the two local Workhouses during its life, the strains within these relationships, and how the economy of the Cemetery relied upon these relationships is explored. The extent of the burials from the Workhouses are quantified. Finally, two aspects of the Cemetery are explored. The catacombs of the Cemetery are examined. Their design, purpose, occupants and eventual fate are discussed. The Eleanor crosses that adorn three of the graves in the Cemetery are discussed and their inception, makers and which graves they stand upon is outlined along with the personal stories that prompted their erection.
The Great War changed the world but at what cost in human lives. The loss of life during the conflict was tremendous and unprecedented. This book focuses on how the Allies dealt with the problem of disposing of the dead, both nationally,and locally in Hull, during this period. The burial of the war dead in Hull General Cemetery, and the later removal of the war grave headstones, is fully explained and the story behind all the servicemen who lost their lives in the Great War and who have a link with Hull General Cemetery is recounted in detail with a number of rare images and personal documents of the fallen soldiers and sailors that brings their, often short, lives back into the light.
“Brilliant read highly recommend this book. Well done to all involved with it. Really gives an insight to what these brave men sacrificed”
Amazon Customer
The story of Hull General Cemetery, the first and only private cemetery that existed in Hull will be fascinating to those interested in the Victorian period. The cemetery was opened in the 1840s and continued to function as a cemetery up to the 1970s. Complete with many rare images of historical importance, the book provides a welcome addition to a much-neglected part of the story of Victorian Hull. This excellent book offers, to both the local historian and to someone who’s just intrigued by this area of woodland within the city, a chance to learn more about the Hull General Cemetery Company before they visit this haunting yet magical site themselves.
“I found the guide very interesting and relevant to our family, as a family member was one of the last to be interned in the cemetery in the early 1970’s, I would recommend this guide to anyone who has a passion for the history of the great city of Hull.”
Amazon Customer