WOODBURY CEMETERY
WOODBURY ROAD, GERALDINE
South Canterbury
NEW ZEALAND
Location : To get to the WOODBURY CEMETERY, drive north from Geraldine and take the first turn left on to the Woodbury Road. The cemetery is approximately 6k up this road on the south side of the Woodbury Domain.
This is a very well kept cemetery. It is completely surrounded by mature trees, mainly 'Oregon'. The grass is always mowed regularly. This cemetery is one of the cleanest and most peaceful places to visit.
The Woodbury Cemetery is administered by the Woodbury Cemetery Committee, a group of people elected from the small farming district of
Woodbury.
Plot
map. 194k Opens in another window.
Transcription (opens in another window)
The Woodbury Cemetery is not attached to any church. Garry Toomey, transcribed the Woodbury Cemetery during the year 2003 after seeing the very dilapidated 'plan and Sexton's book'. The transcription up to date as September 2008. We update it frequently. To transcribe a cemetery like this takes days plus triple the time placing the information into a database. After attempting with pen and paper and a strong wind Garry found using an old hand held tape recorder the best solution and revisiting the cemetery on several occasions to record a block or so at a time. There are 577 recorded graves or memorials and there is room for the cemetery to accommodate approximately 1000 graves.
WOODBURY CEMETERY
PLAN AND REFERENCE GUIDE
October 2004
EXPLANATION
This Guide was compiled from the actual headstone inscriptions with additions from the Sexton's records.
During my research I discovered that another Geraldine resident and retired School Principal, Mr Noel Horgan was also conducting a similar project, his research being from the original Cemetery Plan and 'Sexton's' Book. On comparing my list of known graves with the Sexton's list, there were almost 40 discrepancies found. These related to headstone inscriptions, which did not relate to any references in the Sexton's book. Later research revealed that many of these were for 'Ashes', which had been placed in or added later to a grave, or in some cases a 'Memorial Plaque'. We compared our efforts and with additional information supplied by Mr Paul McNicholl, an archivist, were able to continue and construct what must be a true record of the Woodbury Cemetery. Noel's research achieved a complete list of ALL graves. This included graves yet to be sold, graves already sold, graves occupied, and details such as grave depths and any other information required by the Cemetery controlling authority. My research was only concerned with the lists of occupied graves.
'Block' and 'Plot' numbers gave grave locations as they were recorded from the 'Original Cemetery Plan'. This plan was very complicated and to find a specific grave using these numbers was very difficult without a copy of the 'Plan'. As a result of these findings, the Cemetery Board decided that a new and more consistent numbering system be devised. This has been now completed and the database now shows the new numbers.
In the Transcription list, the graves are numbered as -
e.g. 3/40. 3 is the Block number and 40 is the Plot number.
An '*' after a Plot number indicates that there is no headstone.
A 'C' before a number refers to the Cremation Memorial.
The four graves just numbered 1, 2, 3, and 4, are on their own to the East of the 'Big Tree'.
A project such as this involves a lot of research. I would like to thank Paul McNichol for making available a chronological list of deaths from his extensive database of funeral notices compiled from the 'Timaru Herald'. He was able to supply names and dates from 1889 as listed in the newspapers from that date.
I would also like to thank Noel Horgan for his help in this project. There were many discrepancies in names, dates, locations and spellings all needing attention. Noel patiently sorted through them and helped me put them right.
Garry Toomey
Geraldine,
New Zealand
Timaru Herald Tuesday 22nd February 1887 pg. 2
Timaru Herald, 30 July 1897, Page 3 Woodbury
A meeting of the Woodbury Domain Board was held on Monday last. Present — Messrs
Thacker (chairman), Cormick, arid Wooding. Before commencing the ordinary
business of the Board, the chairman feelingly referred to the loss the district
had sustained through the deaths of Messrs G. G. Tripp and Allen McDonald, and
other members spoke m eulogistic terms of the. qualities of the deceased
gentlemen, both as public men and private individuals ; and it was decided to
write to the relatives of each, sympathising with them in their sad bereavement.
A deputation was received from the Woodbury Cricket Club, requesting the Board
to plough, level, and lay down in grass 70 yards square m the. centre of the
Woodbury Park. Messrs Dean and John Fifield described the nature of the work
required to be done. It was decided that the work be done, and the secretary was
instructed to call for tenders immediately. The secretary was also instructed to
write to Mr Joseph Fifield, stating that owing to the Board having decided to
plough the park they would not be able to let him graze it after the 2nd August
next. On the chairman's report it was decided to strengthen the fence at the
main entrance. A small account to the Woodbury school committee for trees
planted by them m the cemetery on Arbor Day was passed for payment. The Board
then rose. The same members afterwards sat as a Cemetery Board. The chairman
reported that the fence along the bye road was now m a tumble-down condition;
and recommended that repairs should be taken in hand at once. It was resolved to
call for tenders for having the work done. A letter was received from Mr C H.
Tripp asking for several plots in the cemetery close to those already held by
him. Two more plots were granted, but the number applied for could not be
granted as there were no more surveyed m that particular part of the cemetery.
Mrs Tripp asked permission to plant trees j around the borders of the cemetery,
and it was agreed to, provided that none be planted too near the graves. A small
amount due to the sexton was passed for payment, and the Board rose.