A GRAVE ERROR?

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

I have been researching my family history [on my father's side] for the past 10 or so years. On my mother's side the 'genealogist' is my great uncle [my late grandpa's younger brother]. He has collected & collated data from a variety of sources, including gravestones.

Anyway, Mum and I have been following-up some of his research. A few years ago we hunted for my great grandfather's grave in St Nicholas' Churchyard in Nottingham [not far from the Castle]. We located the stone, which was set into the ground.

When we tried to make notes, something weird happened, None of Mum's pens worked! Neither did her camera... . She passed them to me, and I had no trouble at all with them!

Then I looked down. While I was standing clear of the slab, Mum's foot was on it! I suggested she move it away, and try the pens and camera again. This time they worked. Spooky, eh? Shocked

YB · Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 11:12 pm Post subject:

That IS strange...

flossy · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 10:23 am Post subject:

very strange Shocked

YB · Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

When I was in grade school, our one teacher said something that has stuck with me to this day while on a field trip to the local cemetery. He said that he did not like to stand on the grave right in front of the stone because he felt like he was standing on their face. A little respect I suppose.

ALEX LOCKWOOD · Joined: 20 Feb 2009 Posts: 238 Location: UNITED KINGDOM

Whenever I am in a church [and I have visited so many in my life], I try not to stand on grave slabs. Although some floors are littered by tombs. Older slabs are so worn they resemble paving.

So you either end up looking like you are on red hot coals [or doing a jig]. Or end up sliding along walls and across furniture. And you do get some odd looks, I can tell you! Mind you, yet get that by simply apologising to the departed.

On a family holiday in Florence, in 1992, we visited Santa Croce. And Mum and I 'hunted' for Michelangelo's tomb. Eventually we came to a plaque. And we looked at one another - surely the great man can't be buried in the wall?!

A guide leading a small party said brusquely - 'You are standing on him!" With profuse apologies to all, esp Michelangelo, we left deeply embarassed. Now, I consult guide books very closely...