The Guyana/British Guiana
Genealogical Society

Marriage Records

Marriage records prior to 1880 would be recorded with Churches and those past that date would be recorded with the local government and national archives in present-day Guyana. The marriages listed below were transcribed from Guyanese newspapers and British Guiana newspapers in the colonial era. Some were transcribed by S. Anderson from older United States newspapers. The source of each transcription is noted.

*NOTES FOR MARKED MARRIAGES
The following marriages and/or persons were found listed on British Guiana Colonists website.

BENTHAM, Joseph (Married SMITH, Margaret)

• Born: Barbados
• Married: 16 6 1815, Banns of Marriage

BLACKMAN, Peter (Married WILLIAMS, Louisa)

• Born: Barbados
• Married: 30 11 1816, Banns of Matrimony

BOLLERS, Henry (Married GIBBS, Sarah)

• Born: in this Colony
• Married: 14 8 1815, Banns of Marriage

CROZIER, William Augustus (Married SHILLINGFORD, Sarah Ann)

• Born: Grenada
• Married: 20 5 1815, Banns of Marriage

LAMBLY, T. O. (Could this be Thomas Lambley ??)

• Died: 13 5 1865, at his residence

PIETERS, Peter Capelhof

• Born: in this Colony
• Married: 9 9 1815, Banns of Marriage

SAMMS, William Kennard

• Born: Grenada
• Married: 26 9 1817, Banns of Marriage

WILLIAMSON, John

• Born: Scotland
• Married: 25 3 1815, Banns of Marriage
  

British Guiana Marriage Law of 1838

The marriage list, listed in the lightbox, is a listing of known marriages, listing the surnames of the bride and groom.

[Source: Anniversaries - Announcements-Sunday Chronicle – April 20, 1947: page 2.]
BRADSHAW –TIMMERMAN - On Sunday April 6th, 1947 at Kingston Methodist church by the Rev. J. D. Dodd, Lloyd F., elder son of Mr. and . G. A. Bradshaw of Forshaw Street, Georgetown to Daphne Shelia, daughter of Mrs. Timmerman of Kitty. {Transcribed by Milwana Osanku]

(Source: The Colonist, Saturday, October 23, 1880, pg 2, Col. 5)
BRAUD-GARNETT - October 7, 1880 On the 7th instant, at Christ Church, Georgetown, by the Revd. T. J. Moulder, Incumbent of St. Augustin's Arthur Braud, Esq., of Pln. Mon Repos, to Emeline, eldest daughter of the late H.P. GARNETT, Esq.

(Source: the Daily Argosy, Saturday, April 19, 1884: page 4 column 1.)
ELLIOTT - SANDY - At Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara, on the 17th instant, by the Revd. Jas. P. Taylor (by special license), Capt. Tappin Johnstone Elliott, to Annie Sophia, eldest daughter of B. Sandy and granddaughter of Bentick Sancho, late of Golden Grove.{courtesy of Sharon Anderson - our many thanks and appreciation to Sharon for her time and work in obtaining these records}

January 20, 1921, New York Times
FRENANDEZ - GASTON --- On Thursday, Jan. 20, at Ansonia, Conn., Lavinia Wilson, youngest daughter of Samuel and Agnes Gaston of Seymour, Conn., to J.E.C. Fernandez, twelfth son of the late M. Fernandez of Georgetown, Demerara, South America {transcribed by S. Anderson}

(Source: The Colonist, Saturday, October 23, 1880, pg 2, Col. 5)
HAMILTON-VAN EEDEN - September 21, 1880 Sept. 21, at St. Mary's, Islington, by the Revd. Arthur HAYNE, Rector of St. Mary Arches, Exeter, uncle of the bridegroom, Charles Boughton HAMILTON, eldest son of the late Revd. William HAMILTON, Rector of St. Peter's Leguan, British Guiana, to Elizabeth Hermina, eldest daughter of P. VAN EEDEN, Esq., of Demerara, British Guiana. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

4 Sept. 1852, Hartford Daily Current, Hartford, Conn.
HUMPHREYS - BENJAMIN ----At Demerara, Sept. 4th, William Humphreys, Esq. To Delia Isabella, second daughter of Charles Benjamin, Esq., U. States Consul at Demerara. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

(Source: The Colonist, Friday, July 25, 1873, pg 2, Col. 2)
LOWE-YOUNGE - On the 18th June, (1873) at Christ Church, Plymouth, from the residence of Mrs. Shortland, aunt of the bride, by the Revd. N.W. Edwards, cousin of the bride, George S. S., second son of Stanley LOWE, Esq., of Whitehall, South Devon, to Harriet Charlotte, second daughter of the late Edward YOUNGE, Barrister-at-law, Clerk of the Enrolments. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

April 16, 1861, New York Times
MATHESON - JACKSON ——in this City on Tuesday, April 16, at St. George’s Church by Rev. Dr. Tyng, COLIN MATHESON, of Berbice, British Guiana, to FANNIE C. JACKSON, daughter of Edward Jackson, Esq. Of this City. [Baltimore papers please copy] {transcribed by S. Anderson}

Nov. 8, 1894, New York Times
MURRAY - WORTHINGTON --- At Pelham Manor, N.Y., on Thursday, Nov. 8 by the Rev. W.A. Benjamin, D.D.; Bessie Duncan, daughter of the late Harry Fraser Worthington of Irvington-on-Hudson and James O’Hara Murray of Demerara, W. I. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

August 8, 1865 – New York Times
ROWE - BROTHERSON --- In Brooklyn on Tuesday, August 8 at the Church of the Holy Trinity by Rev. Dr. Diller, Mrs. Edwin ROWE of Fair Haven, Conn., and Miss Jessie D. BROTHERSON, of Brooklyn. No cards. [New Haven, Conn and Demerara, B.G. papers, please copy. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

July 21, 1853, New York Times
STODDARD - VAN PELT ----At Port Richmond, S.I., July 21, by Rev. James Brownlee, Henry S. Stoddard, Esq. Of Demerara to Elvira, daughter of the late Capt. Jacob Van Pelt, of Port Richmond. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

[Source: WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 1919-1942 - Announcements-Sunday Chronicle - May 31, 1942 : page 4.]
WILLIS –ELLIOTT - At the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Victoria, East Coast, Demerara, by the late Fr. J. J, Parcel, on May 31st, 1919, Joseph to Sophia Anetta. {Transcribed by Milwana Osanku]

[Source: WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 1919-1949 - Announcements-Sunday Chronicle - June 5, 1949 : page 6.]
WILLIS –ELLIOTT - On May 3rd., 1919 by the late Fr. J. J, Parcel, at Victoria R C Church, Victoria, East Coast, Demerara, Joseph S. to Annie S. Mizpah. {Transcribed by Milwana Osanku]

(Source: Legal Notices - DIVORCES, The Official Gazette of British Guiana - June 27, 1963: page 456.)
VIGILANCE - Clement Arthur Vigilance (H. A. Bruton) - Nora Vigilance (David de Caires) {Transcribed by Milwana Osanku]

(Source: The Colonist, Friday, December 5, 1879)
YOUNGE-MAY - November 27, 1879 On the 27th Nov., at St. Sithin's Church, by the Right Revd. the Lord Bishop of the Diocese, ass. by the Ven. F. J. WYATT, B.D., Archdeacon of Demerara, George Shortland YOUNGE, youngest son of late Edward YOUNGE, Esq., of the Inner Temple, Barrister-at-law, and Clerk of the Enrolments, to Gertrude Louisa, eldest daughter of the Revd. Henry John MAY, Rector of St. Swithin's Demerara, and Registrar of the Diocese. {transcribed by S. Anderson}

Deaths in Newspaper Clippings

The newspaper clippings, source for many of the following transcriptions, are courtesy of John O'Connor - our many thanks and appreciation to John for his time and work in obtaining these records.

ARCHER, Catherine – on Friday September 12, 1947 at her daughter's residence 47 Pere Street, Kitty, CATHERINE ELIZABETH, wife of the Late T. A. Archer, retired Schoolmaster, and Agricultural Instructor, J.P., in her 77th. Year, beloved mother of Eldad, Chemist and Druggist, Caroline, Charge Nurse, PHG, Adina, retired Health Visitor, Mesdames May Cole, retired School teacher; Ivy Loncke; Phyllis Kendall; foster mother of Margaret Hedecker and Mortimer Archer, grandmother of Gwendoline, Joyce, Arthur, Donald, Eileen, Tiny, Ivy, Yvonne, Walter, Joycelynne, Victor, Pat; great grand mother of 10; and godmother of Gladys Wiltshire. Funeral will remove from the above address and board the ferry at noon today. Interment will be made at Vergenoegen, West Coast Demerara. Friends and relatives are asked to accept this the only intimation and attend. (Source: Announcement death daily chronicle, Saturday, September 13, 1947 : Page 4.) ARCHER - C. E. Archer and family beg to thank all those who sent wreaths, Telegrams, letters, Cards of sympathy, and in other ways expressed their sympathy in their bereavement. [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, February 15, 1948: page 6.]

ARCHER, S. A. – In loving memory of S. A. ARCHER, J.P., who departed this life on October 10, 1943. (Inserted by his loving children) [Source: ANNOUNCEMENTS: - Sunday Chronicle, Georgetown , British Guiana – October 10, 1948 : page 6.]

ARCHER, Catherine - In loving memory of our beloved CATHERINE ARCHER, who departed this life on September 12, 1947. Gone but not forgotten. (Inserted by her children) [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, September 12, 1948 : page 6.]

ELLIOTT, Annie Sophia - On Monday, September 13th, 1948 at her residence, Nabaclis Village, East Coast, Demerara, Mrs. ANNIE SOPHIA, relict of T. J. Elliott, retired schoolmaster, Mother of Edward, Henry, Sydney and Wilfred Elliott, and Mesdames H. Bradshaw, S. Willis, and M. Patterson, and sister of Miss Sarah Sandy, retired School teacher. The funeral will remove from the house of mourning - Nabaclis Village – to Victoria Roman Catholic church for the funeral service, and back to Nabaclis cemetery for interment at 4.00 p.m. , today. Relatives and friends are asked to accept this intimation. (Source: The Daily Argosy, Georgetown , British Guiana , Tuesday, September 14th. 1948 : page 5. ) ELLIOTT Messrs. E. S., H. J., S. B., and W. R. Elliott (sons); Mesdames A. M. Bradshaw, Sophia Willis, M. A. Patterson (daughters), Sarah Sandy sister and grandchildren of the late ANNIE SOPHIA, beg to thank the many friends and relatives who attended the funeral and sent wreaths, cards, letters, telegrams and in any other way sympathised with them in their recent bereavement. [Source: Announcements, September 26, 1948 : page 6.]

ELLIOT, Victoria - Mrs. Annie I. Elliott, and children, sincerely begs to thank the many kind friends who assisted and attended the funeral of their beloved daughter and sister, VICTORIA (VICKY), also those who sent wreaths, letters, telegrams, and cards, etc. or in any way sympathized with them. [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, March 11, 1945 : page 6.]

HOOSEIN, Mohamed – At Bagotville, West Bnak , Demerara. MOHAMED, Mohamedan Priest. Aged 107 years. Funeral from the above address at 3 p.m. today. Friends please accept this the only intimation. (The Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, September 16, 1924, page and Column unknown, “Died”)

HOPKINS - Infant William Alfred Hopkins, son of Charles and Jane Ross Hopkins died at Plantation Hazard on 23 February 1892. (The Argosy, March 5, 1892, Page 4, Col 1)

IRWIN - (From the Syracruse Herald Journal, Syracuse, New York, USA - June 10, 1940: JOHN SAMUEL IRWIN DIES IN CANADA AT 62 Toronto, Ont., June 10 (UP) ---- A widely known Canadian publisher, John Samuel IRWIN, 62, died at his home yesterday. Born in British Guiana, Irwin came to Canada from England 32 years ago and joined the staff of the MacMillan Company. He later became educational director of the Oxford University Press. In 1927, he founded a publishing business with Huntly Borden, under the name of Irwin and Borden. Irwin had traveled extensively. He is survived by his widow, [all further text is illegible]

LONCKE, Agatha - On Monday 6th., October 1969 at the Methodist Arts Centre, IVY AGATHA, late Mistress of Queen's College and the eldest daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. F. Loncke. Sister of Yvonne, Joycelyn, John, Victor, and Patricia Loncke. Niece of Mrs. W. Kendall of Nabaclis and Mrs. Cummings of West Coast Berbice. Cousin of Mesdames Lena Nilleman, and Joyce Warren, Carlton Loncke and others. The funeral will take place from the Brickdam Cathedral at 4.30 PM to-day. Relatives and friends are asked to accept this intimation.[Source: - Thursday, October 9, 1969 : page 9.]

LONCKE, (unnamed son) - Mr. and Mrs. F. P. Loncke beg to thank all those who attended the funeral of their dear little son, also those who sent wreaths, cards, letters, or in any way sympathize with them in their recent bereavement. Source: Cards Daily Argosy, Sunday, September 4, 1938 : page 4.

OSWALD, Francis – on Friday, September 12 th at the Colonial Hospital, Georgetown, FRANCIS Mc INTOSH, late manager of Pln. Hopoe, East Coast Emerara. Aged 58 years. (Deeply regretted) (Date, Year, and newspaper unknown)

PATTERSON, Annie - In ever loving memory of my dear ANNIE KATHLEEN, (LENIE) who departed this life on May 5, 1935 . [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Wednesday, May 5, 1943 : page 4.]

PEACOCK, Ruth - At. her residence on the Brick Dam, on 9th inst., Ruth HEART, the beloved wife of J. LEACOCK, late Commissary of Taxation, aged 65 years. - Barbados papers please copy.. (Source: The Colonist, Tuesday, December 9, 1879, page 2, col 4.)

RALPH, Emma - DEATH OF MRS. RALPH After a painful illness Mrs. EMMA RALPH died at 2. A.m. on Monday morning at the age of 38 years. She was the beloved wife of Joseph Ralph and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. LAMMY SANCHO of Nabaclis. Death took place in the city. The deceased's body was taken up by motor car later in the day to her residence in Golden Grove. The funeral on Monday afternoon was very largely attended, the last rites being performed by the Rev. L. J. Rowe. The interment took place at St. Mark's cemetery. [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, March 9, 1919 : page 10]

SANCHO, Lammie - On Saturday, 13th September, 1924, at Nabaclis, E. C., Demerara, LAMMIE, the beloved husband of ANNIE SANCHO and father of Winnie, Tommy, Ruby, Wagner, and Irene. Funeral at 4 o'clock to-day. Friends please accept this the only intimation. (Trinidad & New York papers please copy) [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, September 14, 1924 : page 4.]

SANCHO, Joseph Thomas - On Monday, January 11th, 1943, Joseph Thomas, late Chemist and Druggist, Sick Nurse and Dispenser, husband of Mavis Sancho, and father of Anson, at his residence, at Nabaclis Village, East Coast, Demerara, in his 47th. Year. Funeral this morning at 8 o'clock to-day.[Source: The Daily Chronicle - Tuesday, January 12th. 1943: page 4.] SANCHO - Mrs. Mavis Sancho and Anson McLean Sancho, joined by other relatives express their gratitude to the many kind friends who attended the funeral of their beloved husband, and father, JOESPH THOMAS SANCHO; also those who sympathized with them in other ways. [Source: Cards – Announcements - Sunday Chronicle - Sunday, January 17, 1943 : page 4.]

SANCHO, Emmy Angelina – In sad and loving memory of our beloved mother, EMMY ANGELINA, who departed this life on August 28th. 1942. One year has passed since that sad day, When the one we loved was called away, Sleep on. Dear mother, sleep and take thy rest, We love thee well but Jesus love thee best, (Inserted by her sons Augustus and Alfred.) [Source: "ANNOUNCEMENTS - In Memoriam" The Sunday Chronicle August 29th. 1943: page 6]

SANCHO, Clarice - The relatives of the late CLARICE ANGELINA beg through this medium to thank all those friends who attended her funeral, sent wreaths, letters, or in any other way consoled with them in their bereavement. [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, March 7, 1943 : page 4.]

SANCHO-GROVESNOR, Magnell - Mr. and Mrs. Vincent Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Arran Abrams, brothers-in-law, and sisters, also the children and other relatives of the late Nurse MAGNELL SANCHO-GROVESNOR, beg through this medium to return thanks to the many kind friends who attended the funeral also those who sent wreaths, telegrams, letters, and in any other way sympathized with them in their recent bereavement. (Inserted by Mrs. Vincent Moore) [Source: The Daily Chronicle - Sunday, March 7, 1943 : page 4.]

SERRAO, Julia G. - IN MEMORIAM In the memory of Julia G. SERRAO, who died on September 16 th , 1922 . (The Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, September 16, 1924, page and Column unknown, “Died”)

STANLEY, Herbert - At 3 Friends, Essequebo, on the 6th inst., Herbert Stanley, aged 33, son of A. A. Barrows. (Source: The Colonist, Saturday, December 6, 1879, page 2, col. 5.)

TAYLOR , Cather Susanah – on Sunday evening, September, 14 th at 9.20, CATHER SUSANAH, relict of Chas. Taylor and beloved mother of C. Eli Taylor, Jeweller. Aged 73 years.( Colon and America papers please copy)

WAITH - Joseph Waith, age 66, died on 21 March 1892 at Meadowbank, E. B., Barbados. (The Argosy, Saturday, March 26, 1892, Page 4, Col 1)

WATKINS, Agusta – On Thursday, September 18th, at the Colonial Hospital, Geoergetown, AGUSTA (Nana), the beloved wife of Joseph WATKINS of Or______ Street, Georgetown. Aged 46 years. (Barbados papers please copy) (The Daily Chronicle, year 1924, date, page and Column unknown, “Died”)

WILLIAMS - James Williams, the long-time manager of Plantation Success, Leguan, died on Tuesday, March 1, 1892, age 47. (The Argosy, Saturday, March 5, 1892, Page 4, Col 1)

Known Cemeteries

Although there are certainly other cemeteries in the Georgetown besides those we could find from a book published in 1914, online yellow pages for Georgetown or Guyana do not list cemeteries. To find out about the cemeteries where many ancestors were buried back to the 17th century, we must search for other means of finding the burial grounds. Some of the cemeteries known to still be in exististence are:

The work done by Vere Langford Oliver in his book, Monumental Inscriptions in Demerara, (London, M. Huges & Clark, 1914, viii, 223 p., 26 cm) describes the cemeteries prior to 1914. The following is a summary of what Oliver discovered.

Babo John cemetery at Port Mourant, Berbice

Bourda Cemetery - Bourda Burial Ground at Vlissingen

Oliver was about to leave, going through this cemetery hurriedly but notes that the earliest date he saw was 1822 and that there were 'many hundreds of stones here as this was the chief town cemetery.' In 1798, the former colony governor, Joseph Bourda, died in Paris and the cemetery was unattended. It wasn't until 1876 that the Government of British Guiana entered into an agreement with the Bourda heirs to take over Plantation Vlissingen, which comprised of New Town, Queenstown, Robbstown and Bourda. Ordinance No. 8 of 1876 vested Plantation Vlissingen, in three Commissionaires, the authority to sell, distribute and grant titles of land to purchasers and heirs of Bourda's estate. Section 72 of the 1876 Ordinance provided for the immediate enclosure of the Bourda Cemetery and necessary adjacent lands. This act entrusted the Mayor and Town Council to maintain the cemetery. A sturdy iron rail fence and gate was erected to secure the area.
In the cemetery are the remains and tombs of many people who are associated with the past history of this colony. People like; Adrien Tinne, John Patoir, Lawrence Cruikshank, William Booker, Thomas McCalmont, John Reid…the Vyfhuises, the Bagots, the Turners – to name only a few. Many of these tombs date back to the early 19 th century and many of the people buried in the Cemetery played an important part in the economic life of the colony

Buxton Cemetery

Christianburg Cemetery

Plantation Cemetery Coomacha

Oliver only notes "150 miles inland" as descripotion and some burials as early as 1696, the death of a child, Jesabethr Rassche.

Eve Leary British Military Cemetery or Kingson

This burial ground is located behind the seawall and the old barracks. Oliver found it clean and tidy but had made a hurried visit and took some names. Most of the burials were servicemen attached to the "West India Regiment".

Fort Island (Essequibo River)

Oliver found some inscriptions on the floor slabs but had no time to copy them. He says of the visit, "This is situated about fifteen miles from the mouth. It was formerly the seat of government and the brick fort here on the river bank mounted forty cannon but was decaying in 1799 (Bolingbroke, p. 133) The so-called Church is a plain oblong structure massively built and was once the Court of Policy Hall.

Ft Nassau

Oliver cites a few stones as early as 1755 and some higher up the eriver, about a mile above the mouth of the Teerani Creek about 1787.
Georgetown (Rabbit Walk) Cemetery 4 (Maple Leaf Magic)

Golden Grove Cemetery (Is this the same as St. Mark's ??)

Good Hope Cemetery

La Repentir

Martin's Burial Ground - Mahica Region

Massaruni Penal Establishment Burial Ground

This burial ground is located behind the seawall and the old barracks. Oliver found it clean and tidy but had made a hurried visit and took some names. Most of the burials were servicemen attached to the "West India Regiment".

Plantation Providence Demerara

Oliver noted one burial marker in the buildings yard, that of Mr. Pieter Hendrik Koppiers who died 1795.

Plantation Warren cemetery, Corentyne Berbice

Roman Catholic Cathedral

When Oliver visited this cathedral he found that it had been completely destroyed by fire and was bare. [NOTE: His visit would've occurred prior to 1914, but exact date of visit is not given.]

Sarah Hill Cemetery, Bartica (next to Bartica Baptist Church ?)

St Andrews (Presbyterian) Scottish

This church first opened in 1819. There were only about 14 burials or memorials noted at this location.

St George's Cathedral Georgetown (Anglican)

Of the records found at the Cathedral, Oliver writes: "The oldest Register is a brown leather volume marked "B" on the cover and styled, "Register of Marriages and Baptisms for the Colonies of Essequebo and Demerary, 1796.' It contains no marriages. The first baptism is on 6 June, 1796. Each entry is signed by Francis McMahon. Each page is numbered as far as 196, June 1804. There are thrity-one more folios, some loose, and the last entry is on on 4th April, 1807. Some few pages are frayed but otherwise the register is complete and in good condition.
Another brown leather volume, smaller than the above, is marked "A" and contains baptisms from 6th June, 1796 and is also signed F.M. to 17th April 1807. THe Dean and I checked several entries with those in, "B", and as they coincided, we came to the conclusion that the two volumes contained the same entries throughout. From a letter of about the year 1830, it appears that the Rev. F. McMahon took the above two volumes with him to Grenada and after his death they were purchased from his Executors for 70 dollars. From the tablet in St. George's, Grenada, it appears that he died 22nd November, 1827 having been Rector 21 years. It is a pity the Marriages and Burials are missing.
The third volume has no cover. The first baptism is on 27th October, 1807 signed, 'W.G. Straghan, A.B., Minister.' The first marriage is dated 26th April, 1807 and burials begin the same year."
Many memorials are installed by the doors and transepts, on busts and on brass templates. Among them, Hubert Carlton Whitlock (North transept); Maj. Gen. Stephen Arthur Goodman (above west door); Fanny Wray; Walter Robert D'Urban; Alexander Milne; Charles Augustus Dean; Peter Rose; Hugh Lyle Carmichael (over east door); Sir James Carmichael Smith (marble bust); John Noble Harvey (north transept); Charles Montague and Elizabeth Jones (east wall North Transept); Thomas Dougan (South transept); Joseph Beete (east door, south transept); James Lugar (gothic tablet); John Walker Thommpson (above window); William Wynn Kenrick; William Peake; George Robertson; H. B. Magee; Sir James Robert Longden; Jasias Booker; George Booker; Goring Evans and Edward Henry Goring Dalton; Edward Thomas Evans Dalton; Frederick Elliot Dampier; Sara Ethel Proctor; William Henry Woodroffe; George Anderson; Richard Michael Jones Bovell, wife Lucretia and son; Francis Wollaston Hutton; William and Mary Ann Roberts.

St Saviors (Chinese)

Oliver describes this church as having no momuments or inscriptions and is a Chinese Church.

St. Mark's cemetery (Golden Grove, East Coast)

Stanleytown Cemetery, New Amsterdam, Berbice --- You Tube Video on condition of this cemetery (March 2008)

Tempie, Berbice

Condition of Cemeteries in 2006
Although in the US, researchers can often find tombstones of ancestors because the grounds are kept up regularly and some restoration work is done occasionally. This is not the case in Guyana. Few burial grounds, other than the small Eve Leary site, receive ground maintenance of any kind. Additionally, in Guyana, after a person is buried, within a few years their tombstone may be taken down and replaced with one for someone recently deceased or a new one built atop the previous one. Therefore, finding a tombstone of an ancestor there would be highly unlikely even for more recent years and definately one would never be found for burials in the 1800s if the person was not of the very upper class of society..
Some of the cemeteries are fairly well kept and in others cattle rummage through the over growth and debris among the tombs. Most of the tombs have been exposed to frequent periods of searing heat and flooding for many years resulting in unreadable inscriptions and most stones and tombs broken beyond repair. John reports that he has not found any stone inscriptions that can be read older than 1950. Therefore, finding the burial locations of ancestors back to the colonial days may not be possible. Burial grounds have not fared well given the environment and lack of maintenance and therefore, it is no wonder that stones and tombs survive less than 50 years. Another factor for cemeteries is the lack of space which has necessitated a system of building a tomb atop previous ones. It is our understanding that at a maximum of 10 years following a burial, that plot becomes available for another tomb to added on top of the previous tomb, or if in bad condition, replaced entirely.
Although there are reportedly "caretakers" on government payroll, the cemeteries are so overgrown with weeds and bushes that no tombs can even and where there are recent burials, the so many large holes exist that in some cases, no one can get close to the burial sites. In many places, persons attending a funeral must walk over boards placed over vast holes. Tombs are regularly vandalized and few indenitifications remain on tombs. For Guyana burials, it would take a miracle to find a tomb from the pre-independence days as most are long gone; destroyed or victims of flooding, heat and heavy bush growth. Photos of several cemeteries in Georgetown taken recently by John O'Connor show conditions of some cemeteries. View them here.

Because Georgetown is below sea level, some cemeteries are required to have above-ground tombs. A photo of a local Georgetown cemetery (unidentified) can be found here. (this site was valid as of 1 December 2007)

Obituaries

The obituaries on this page are a result of searching old United States newspapers. Although obituaries or funeral notices were printed in colonial newspapers and some were microfilmed, most have yet to be transcribed.

ABRAHAMS – Dr. Isaac ABRAHAMS, April 9, age 38; dearly bellowed son of Mary and Robert Abrahams of British Guiana, South America. Funeral from 3524 Michigan Ave., Tuesday, April 17 at 2p.m. Entombment at Graceland cemetery whence the body will be shipped ot the native land in South America. April 10, 1923, New York Times

ADAMS, John T. ; 1882 ---- 76 years old, died at Norwich, Conn. At a late hour Thursday night. He was a native of Demerara, but had lied in Norwich for the greater part of his life. He was Judge of Probate in 1839 and represented Norwich in the Legislature uring the war, severing one year as President of the Senate. Of late, he had led a retired life. When a young man, he edited the Norwich epublican, and in later years wrote several novels which had a good circulation.

ANDERSEN – John ANDERSEN, Jan. 15, 1915, age 18 years 5 months, son of Mrs. Belle Andersen and brother of James, Max and Mrs. A. Headicker of British Guiana, South America; nephew of John M. Bute of 4432 Wilcox Ave., Burial Mt. Carmel, Funeral private. No flowers. January 16, 1915 - Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA

ARTHUR --28 Dec 1898, New York Times ----Charles W. ARTHUR, seventy-nine years old, died on Monday at the home of his son, 144 East Ninety-seventh Street. Mr. ARTHUR was born in British Guiana and came to this city when only two years old. He was well known in the dry goods, tea, coffee, and spice trades. He had been ill for five years and died of paralysis. The funeral will be held to-day.

BERESFORD --- At Berbice, (British Guiana) on the 3d of August, Doct. John BERESFORD, in the 68th year of his age. Doct. Beresford was a native of the island of Barbadoes and was at an early period of his life attached to the medical department of the British service. Establishing himself, however, in the practice of his profession at Berbice, he lived to be one of the oldest English inhabitants of the colony and it is not exceeding the limits of impartial truth, or of the general testimony of the community, to say that not one of its citizen was more honored and beloved. The unbounded kindness of his heart, his habitual benevolence in the exercise of a laborious profession, his cordial hospitality and the steadiness of his Christian principles and conduct, endeared him in every circle and attracted the warm, personal affectin of those who saw him in his more private intercourse. In the year 1840, he visited the U.S. and for a time resided at Hartford, and afterwards at Brookly, NY and in both these places will be remembered by many with an esteem which so short a period does not often establish. The death of his brother, the late Doct. James Beresford, of Hartford, in 1843, was deeply felt by him, both as a severe bereavement and as an admonition that his won days were the desire to see once the desire to see once more those members of his family who remained in his former place of residence, he undertook, in April last, a voyage to Berbice. After a stay of three months, he was attached with paralysis, which on the fourth day, closed his life. He died uner the roof of a most affectionate son, in the possession of his mental faculties. 4 October 1844 -Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut

CLEMENTSON - Mar 8, 1886, New York Times March 8 - Julia CLEMENTSON, widow of Hon. Henry Clementson, of Demerara, British Guiana, formerly of Barbados, Wes dies. Funeral private. Interment at Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston, Mass. (New York Times)

DARDIER --- At the residence of her niece, Mrs. W.H. Workman, Miss Charlotte Ann Dardier, a native of Demerara, British Guiana, aged 84 years, 11 months. Funeral from her late home, No. 357 South Boyle Ave., Saturday, April 15, 1899, thence to St. Mary’s Church were requiem high mass will be celebrated, commencing at 10 o’clock a.m. Friends and acquaintances invited. Interment New Calvary Cemetery. (April 15, 1899 - Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, CA

DAWES – On March 15, 1901, Anne E., widow of the late William DAWES, formerly of British Guiana, South America. Funeral services Sunday, 17th inst. At 64 Hanson Place, Brooklyn at 4 p.m. Interment private. Boston and Baltimore papers please copy. 1901 March 16, New York Times

EDWARDS (Title: F. B. Edwards, Jurist, Dies). FITZ BENJAMIN EDWARDS, former Chief Magistrate of British Guiana died yesterday of heart disease at 229 West 138th street, where he has resided since comoing here four years ago after his retirement from the bench. He was born in England in 1866 and as a young man went to British Guiana. He practices law there before he was made a magistrate. He is survived by his widow, three daughters and two sons, King and Philip EDWARDS. The latter was a member of the Canadian Olympic team this year. 15 Sept 1928 - New York Times

FARNUM --- William FARNUM, at Suffern, N.Y., Sept 7, formerly of Georgetown, British Guiana. Funeral at St. Pauls Church, Clinton and Carroll Sts., Brooklyn on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. (9 Sept 1915, New York Times) [The next day, another articlel dated 10 Sept 1915 was printed for Mr. Farnum, as follows]
WILLIAM FARNUM, a retired businessman, formerly of Georgetown, British Guiana, died at his summer home at Suffern, N.Y. on Monday from stomach disease. Mrs. Farnum lived at 99 Berkeley Place, Brooklyn and was a member of St. Pauls Episcopal Church.

FREDERICKS - Georgetown, British Guiana, April 6 (Canadian Press). ---- E.F. FREDERICKS, prominent barrister and first full-blooded Negro elected to British Guiana’s legislative council, died here today at the age of 58. April 7, 1934, New York Times

MARQUES – Mary MARQUES, on May 18, 1938, born in Georgetown, Demerara, British Guiana. Survived by six sons, four daughters, thirty-one grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren. Funeral Saturday, 10 a.m., 355 Marcellus Road, Mineola, L. I. (New York Times)

MOORHEAD - April 22, 1800. – On Thursday, April 22, in Colonial Hospital, Demerara, British Guiana. Frank B. MOORHEAD, of pneumonia, aged 18 years and 8 months. (New York Times)

O'MEARA - 22 November, 1898. New York Times. William O'MEARA, for thirty-four years Provost Marshal of British Guiana, died suddenly yesterday at his sister's home in Norristown, Penn. He was sixty years old. He resigned his official position last January.

ROTH ---Georgetown, British Guiana, April 6 [AP] ---- Walter Edmund ROTH, internationally known anthropologist and curator of the British Guiana Museum, died today in this seventy-third year. 7 Apr 1933, New York Times

TENCH, 1916, New York Times Mrs. WILLIAM EASTWOOD CARROUTHERS TENCH, the last o the twenty-two children of the late Lieut. Gen John Murray, Governor of Demerara and Georgetown, British Guiana, at the end of the eighteenth and early part of the nineteenth centuries, died on Saturday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J.A.D. Vickers, in Chicago, Ill. She was born in Little Ealing, London, England and was in her eighty-ninth year. Mrs. Tench was educated at Versailles, France during the reign of Louis Phillipe. (New York Times)

Van EEDEN --- BOONTON, N.J., Oct. 3 ---- Mrs. Sophie Van Eeden, a resident of Boonton for the last thirteen years, died this morning in her eighty-eighth year at the Home for Incurables in Newark after two months’ illness. Mrs. Van Eden was the widow of Pieter Van EEDEN, who had large sugar interests in British Guiana, where she was born in Mary 15, 1845. She came to this country after the death of her husband thirty years ago. 1932, October 4, Special to the New York Times

WILLS, Samuel --Georgetown, British Guiana, March 6 (Canadian Press). ---- Samuel E. WILLS, barrister, known as the “poet laureate of British Guiana”, died twelve hours after he collapsed when he heard a jury convict one of two brothers whom he defended against a charge of murder. He was born in the colony sixty-nine years ago. He was the first successfully to carry an appeal against a murder conviction to the British West Indies Court of Appeal. March 7, 1934, New York Times

Tombstones

Frederick Oudschans Dentz (1876-1961), a prolific Dutch writer and historian, published a comprehensive inventory of tombstones in Suriname and a more modest similar inventory in Guyana during the period 1912-1946. These inventories were issued anew in April 2006 by the Foundation for Surinamese Genealogy (Stichting voor Surinaamse Genealogie,).

This 2006 publication brings together all the inventories that Oudschans Dentz previously published. In all, details of 845 tombstones in Suriname are listed, as well as details of 81 tombstones of deceased persons of British or American nationality that were not initially published. Additionally, his inventories include details of 40 persons of Dutch ancestry described in the texts of the tombstones he examined in Guyana. This current document lists details of the tombstones Oudschans Dentz surveyed in Guyana.