Ross Bay Cemetery (to be known as RBC) was the backdrop of my teams research focus. Created in 1872, this cemetery continues to be used today however with over 27,000 plots space is becoming limited (Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria). See the link below for a detailed map of the site of reference.
View A Selection of Unique Graves in Ross Bay Cemetery in a larger map
View A Selection of Unique Graves in Ross Bay Cemetery in a larger map
As the heading indicates our research was focused on unique graves however, what qualifies as unique varies in the eye of the beholder. Eleven graves were selected by two members who scouted RBC a day prior to the groups gathering (Thanks Meredith and Kristina). This was done in order to maximize the groups time together due to scheduling conflicts and time restraints. However, as was later mentioned by group member Noori, would it not have been interesting if we had all gone into RBC separately and chosen our own dataset of unique graves and then complied our data to see if there was any overlap thus demonstrating a more “unique” dataset. Oh hindsight is a beautiful thing, isn’t it!!!
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| Ross |
Graves selected were based on their prominence or lack thereof within their appropriate environments. For example the gravestone of D.B. Campbell was flanked by the Helmicken family plot (not included in our dataset but a rather large enclosed monument) and had other larger monuments surrounding it therefore drawing the eye downwards.
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| Erickson and Layton |
Further to the selection of graves, our group selected graves that had features that may be attributed to passions in life. For example the grave sites of Ross, Erickson and Layton, and finally Schultz and Sims (all pictured), had monuments that resembled a life long love of gardening, a fondness of bird viewing/research, and finally a sailors life at sea respectfully.
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| Schultz and Sims |
Furthermore an additional three were chosen for their size (Deans) and for being contained either by an iron fence (Charles Moss) or via a stone enclosure (Agnew). Of these three larger monuments two had the marks of the mason.
Of the graves selected three belonged to children, Verna M, William Rhys Henderson-Van Rhyn and, D.B. Campbell and it should be noted that these monuments were all of a small nature in size perhaps a purposefully representation of their small stature in their short lives.
Additionally the two remaining monuments were of a nature not common to RBC or other monuments that I have seen before. For example, Nesbitt had a plaque that was attached to a stone wall, leading us to believe that it contains the ashes of Mr. Nesbitt who will one day be joined by Mrs. Nesbitt. Also, this North facing monument was placed quite close to the edge of the cemetery making me question if perhaps one day the contents will be lost to sea as was the case in the 1920's at RBC (Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria) .
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| Nesbitt |
Finally, the grave site of Mr and Mrs Bermarija contains a black granite slab that covers the ground surface just above the presumed caskets. While unique to RBC (there is only one other slightly similar in section H however it is two separate brown stone slabs over the presumed casket locations) it turns out this practice is common in Croatia where I can assume was the birth place of this couple as their headstone is inscribed in Croatian (personal communication). Also there is a picture of Mr and Mrs Bermarija which adorns the monument. While I have seen this in other cemeteries there are none that resembled this style in RBC.
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| Bermarija |
While additional time would have been utilized to further explore common trends amongst those selected monuments and increasing the existing dataset, worthwhile information was achieved through our initial work. That being said, as already noted the trend towards erecting a small headstone for a child's grave site was observed as well as the markings of the mason. However, as we only had two graves that had the markings of the mason it would be interesting to examine all graves to see when this practice ceased or if it still continues to this day however is size dependent.
Uniqueness is not stasis. There are monuments that span across the entire 140 year span of RBC that demonstrate lack of adherence to the "status quo". That being said we would have to interview the next of kin to discuss why certain monuments were chosen however, I suspect in numerous cases there are no next of kin that would have the knowledge behind monument selection.
An unavoidable flaw in this project is the inability to see beyond the monument. As people erect headstones there is no way to indicate what is buried beneath the ground. We cannot assume that just because a headstone is small that there is no wealth in that family. Perhaps the family greatly valued an object that was buried with the person than placing value on a headstone. Case in point would be my own family. With the death of a sibling a plaque was erected in memory of him. To an outside observer it would seem as if there was not enough money for anything more however, this is not the case once my parents die a headstone will be erected and that structure will than be inscribed with the names of my parents, my sibling and whoever else departs this world. Robb et al (2001) discuss that you need more than one indicator to determine status for an individual. As the above example demonstrates a closer inspection is needed.
References
Robb, J et al. (2001) Social "status" and biological "status":A comparison of grave goods and skeletal indicators from Pontecagnano. Physical Anthropology 113 (3): 213:222 Available Through: Wiley [Accessed January 21, 2012].
Old Cemeteries Society of Victoria. Accessed February 8, 2012, http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/cem_rb_his.htm
