What does a taphophile do on a birthday trip to Hanmer Springs? Yes, that’s right, she finds the local cemetery and spends a few hours recording it!
Ross / McKay gravestones at Hanmer Springs Cemetery
How could I resist? A lovely Autumn day, time on my hands and an understanding husband armed with Sudoku on his phone meant I was able record 75% of Hanmer Springs Cemetery last weekend. Unfortunately my batteries didn’t quite have the staying power that I did so I will need to return to finish the task, which is no hardship with the hot pools to relax in afterwards.
If there’s one thing I love it’s uncovering a mysterious gravestone. In the case of Hanmer it’s the mysterious “W A Wattse” – the earliest burial I found in the cemetery. Except, there are no records for a “W A Wattse” to be found. That’s because, I discovered, his name is actually “John W A Watts” and I’ll tell you more about him, and his unfortunate demise, in a Headstone Histories article in due course.
In the meantime keep checking back as Hanmer Springs listings are added over the coming week.
Happy Hunting!
Hunting Kiwis 
Great effort Helen 🙂
The perfect birthday trip!
Cheers
Sarndra
Posted by Sarndra | May 19, 2011, 4:30 amI knew you’d understand! 🙂
Helen
Posted by hleggatt | May 19, 2011, 4:34 amHi Helen, Heard you this afternoon on National Radio. I especially waited to go out till after I heard your slot. Your site also featured this past month in the Newsletter for the Papakura Branch NZSG. Margaret
Posted by Margaret | May 21, 2011, 9:21 amThank you, Margaret. I hope you enjoyed the broadcast and that the NZSG find the resource useful.
Regards
Helen
Posted by hleggatt | May 21, 2011, 9:52 amI think your site is wonderful Helen. You are an amazing job, its time consuming work! I am currently photographing the Oxford cemetery which has become an earthquake hazard area unfortunatly.
Posted by leandra | May 29, 2011, 7:52 amFantastic! I live nearby – Oxford is a massive job – well done for taking it on!
Let me know if/when you publish the data and I’ll link to it 🙂
Helen
Posted by hleggatt | May 29, 2011, 7:58 am