Canadian and Spanish relatives visit former Rauceby Hospital cemetery
A group of volunteers who have been working to restore the forgotten cemetery linked to a former mental health hospital have welcomed overseas relatives who visited to view their ancestors’ graves.
Four relatives have visited the two cemeteries that served the old Rauceby Hospital on Willoughby Road, Greylees, near Sleaford last week, travelling all the way from Canada and Spain.
Rauceby Hospital Cemetery Friends have been working with Sleaford Town Council to clear the overgrown burial grounds and get a new memorial installed.
A spokesperson for the Friends said: “We were recently contacted by Patrick Wilkinson from Canada who was planning a visit to Rauceby whilst visiting the UK to see the graves of his grandfathers' siblings and pay his respects. As you can imagine, it was a very special trip for them, bringing them closer to a part of their family history they had only known through stories and research. Patrick was also joined by his wife, Cathy, and his second cousin, Judith and her husband John.”
Patrick and Judith are related through a mutual great grandfather who married twice, Patrick through the first marriage, Judith the second marriage. Until around 15 years ago, Judith was not even aware of another branch of the family.
Their siblings are Rose Wilkinson, who was admitted in 1911 and died in 1939, and placed in plot number 97 in the ‘New Cemetery’ and William Wilkinson, who was admitted in 1917 and died in 1955, placed in plot 1, 479 of the ‘New Cemetery’.
Lead volunteer, Jo Thompson, met them at the cemeteries and helped them find the graves. Jo spent some time with the families, telling them about the cemeteries and the work Friends of Rauceby Cemeteries and Sleaford Town Council have been doing to preserve and improve the cemeteries.
The family said: “Our two families from Spain and Canada really appreciated the fine assistance provided by the Friends of Rauceby Hospital Cemeteries. The background coordination and research by the volunteers and the site visit to the cemeteries with Jo were fundamental in helping us find the graves of our great grandfather's son and daughter.
"Through their help we were able to honour the memory of two siblings who spent decades at Rauceby Hospital without our knowledge. The secrets of the past are now out in the open where they should have been all along. Our families take comfort in the fact that our relatives are buried close to each other in such a peaceful setting."
Jo added: "Welcoming Patrick and Judith, along with their families who travelled from Canada and Spain, was a special moment that cemented the importance of this project. Enabling relatives to finally visit the resting places of their loved ones is such a privilege and exactly why the Friends of Rauceby Hospital Cemeteries do this work.
“We know there are many more families out there who may not realise they have relatives buried at the Rauceby Hospital cemetery sites. We would encourage anyone who thinks they may have a connection to get in touch. Nobody should have to wonder where their loved ones are laid to rest."
The Friends are also looking for volunteers to help with further clearance of the sites. Email [email protected]