Genealogy Chat

I am trying to help a friend, and i dont seem to be getting anywhere. Could anyone advise me please. Whilst renovating her house, she uncovered a headstone, which shes now built into her brickwork. She wondered if i could help her to find out about the lady on the stone. The name is Martha Wigglesworth and the date is either 1806 or 1860. It was discovered in Kirton Lindsey. I dont know where to start. She would really appreciate any suggestions, as since shes inserted the stone, some spooky things have been happening to her daughter, and its got to the point where the local vicar has become involved.He is trying to find church records on this lady, but its taking forever. Can we beat him to it? many thanks

Kirton in Lindsey (Lincs) is on the National Burial index for 1813-1900 for the parish church. The burial doesn't appear on those records, suggesting the stone may read 1806. However, the stone might have come from a cemetery or a church/chapel burial ground of a different denomination. You could try searching 1837online for a death reg in 1860, in the hope of eliminating this year (it's not on FreeBMD yet) I would do it for you, but I've only got one credit left and hubby will go ape if I spend any more on there this month!! Merry

Thanks Merry i will give it a go. will let you know when mystery is solved. Many thanks

Also ask if anyone has the 1851 census for K-L. There are a three or four people on the 1861 called Wigglesworth living there, but obviously it's impossible to say if they are connected (though I bet they are)!! No age, or anything else, legible on the stone is there? Are you going to tell us what's been happening, or is it too scary? Merry

The district is Glanford Brigg. Merry

Hi Wendy, I have looked on Ancestry, but nothing for 1860. Tried Family Search but nothing there for either of those years. How interesting though having a headstone built into the brickwork. Is their house a newish one that has perhaps been built above an old burial ground. There must be some paperwork somewhere that says if the plot was a burial gound and therefore the names of the deceased buried there. Intrigued--Gloria x

These are baptisms from IGI: MAREY WIGGLSWORTH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Female Christening: 05 MAY 1702 Kirton In Lindsey, Lincoln, England MARY WIGGLWORTH - International Genealogical Index Gender: Female Christening: 04 NOV 1755 Kirton In Lindsey, Lincoln, England MARY ANN WIGGLESWORTH - International Genealogical Gender: Female Christening: 05 NOV 1828 Kirton In Lindsey, Lincoln, England Anna

sorry, ive got the date wrong, just rang friend and the dates are either 1706 or 1760ish. sorry to be a pain

Its not a new house, they were knocking it down to build an extension when they found it. Anyway long before this their daughter had said she could see a ghost. No one believed her But she kept saying it was Martha Wigglesworths daughter, even though they had not found the stone then. Since finding the stone she has seen her more and she apparently talks to her, although she cant understand what she is saying. It has got really bad now as she hears voices all the time. I know its probably a medical problem,and the vicar thinks shes on drugs, but what if its true and no one believes her? shes only a teenager and terrified. She is now getting voices from other people. Weird

Do you think that Marey Wigglesworth 1702 could be the daughter?

I am not sure if this helps but worth a look .I found this on the Latterday Saints web site MARTHA WIGGELSWORTH Female -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: 17 NOV 1758 Kirton In Lindsey, Lincoln, England Death: Burial: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parents: Father: THOS WIGGELSWORTH Mother: MARTHA

I feel really sorry for the young girl. It must be so distressing for her and making her life hell. If she said that the person she was talking to was Martha's daughter before they found the stone, then I would be very much inclined to believe that what she was seeing and hearing was real!!! I know that it is very easy to dismiss such things as having other causes but I think that there is a lot that we can not explain at the moment and am quite willing to keep an open mind. Where in the house did your friend find the stone?

Yes i agree to keep an open mind about it all, and i feel sorry for her too, thats why i am trying to find out as much as i can. I dont know if it will help her, but it might shed some light on something. The house they live in is opposite a church, I forgot to mention that. The vicar may find some imformation, and at least he is willing to help. not sure where the stone was found, but will let you know as soon as i get intouch with her

It is very odd to find a headstone in a house that is opposite the church, not next door to it. I wonder if at one time the road in front of your friend's house was not there and whether the churchyard extended much further and included the land that your friend's house is built on? Or perhaps poor Martha for some reason was not able to be buried in the churchyard and was buried in other land close by?

Someone needs to go to Leicestershire RO to find out if there is a burial record for this Martha. What church is it that is across the road? Is it the C of E parish church? Merry

I will ring my friend and get some more detailed info and post it as soon as get it, should be later tonight. Thanks everyone

If this poor girl truely came up with this name before they found the stone, then it must be that she is capable of tuning in to things that we don't quite understand yet - she must be clairaudient - able to hear the spirit world. We should all be open minded about these things, I think...... Maybe you should contact a local Spiritualist Church? It doesn't matter whether she or her family believe what is happening or whether they believe someone from the Church could help her really - but there might be advice and/or help they can give....... They might be able to persuade the spirit to leave the girl alone..........it sounds ridiculous if you don't believe in these things, but could be worth a try.... Merry

I agree with Merry - my grandmother was a spiritualist and my mother definitely knows things that nobody could possibly have told her (which I have found out at times to my cost!!). There must be someone who is experienced in these things that may be able to help.

Thanks everyone. My friend has decided to see what the vicar comes up with, and also to go to a spiritulist church.and see what happens there. Will keep you all updated. Watch this space

Hi Wendy Couldn't resist a challenge! How about this one from LDS: EDWARD WIGGLESWORTH Birth About 1812 Of, Louth, Lincoln, England Marriages: Spouse: MARTHA TENNANT Marriage: 25 JUL 1837 Louth, Lincoln, England Birth: About 1816 Of, Louth, Lincoln, England Elly