My dad has never been able to find his dads grave which we know is in Northern Ireland. We only have this photo to go on and that it’s a Catholic Church possibly in Ballymena. Any help would be really appreciated.

by Yorkshire_Mechanicum

18 comments
  1. When was the death ? They might have put a death notice in the paper which might say where the burial is

  2. It resembles the top of the City Cemetery in Belfast. That would be the roofs of the houses of Turf Lodge. Not Ballymena obviously but that’s what immediately struck me.

  3. My grannies grave yard in Downpatrick has railings like that on a road with a slope, I dont recognise the houses so I maybe wrong. I’ll be there this Wednesday if you require me to check anything out. I’m only going by the mental fence tbh. Good luck 🤞

  4. Might be worth a post in /r/IrishHistory

    As others have said the Find a Grave website can be helpful.

    If you know the full name and date they died then you can try and get in touch with someone who works in one of the cemeteries or in whatever parish. Sometimes they have databases. I know the Belfast City Cemetery has a database open to the public, but not all of them are.

  5. Hi, I think it could possibly be Holy Trinity RC Cemetery in Lisburn.

  6. Surely you know his name, where he lived? And roughly when he died? That can not be that hard to find

  7. There’s All Saints cemetery on the Cushendall road in Ballymena that’s linked to All Saints chapel, could very well be it.

  8. Have you tried calling up the places connected to the churches in northern Ireland. They will probably help you. Just remember your dad’s dob as it will make it easier. And unfortunately, the day he sadly passed away. I’m hoping you get to find your dad’s grave rip

  9. If you know the name, birth and death date of him, you’ll be able to find the grave. I can help if you send me that info.

  10. Going by that fence and the housing in the background.. it looks like an urban setting rather than a small town or rural setting.

    There’s so little to go on, factoring in variables such as the lapse of time between when the picture was taken and now. Even the small amount of visible background detail could’ve changed beyond recognition in the intervening years.

    Better to search registries using your relatives name and credentials (DOB / DOD) or contacting any churches or cemeteries you’ve shortlisted on the basis of information provided by your parent.. asking if they have a ledger or index of burials they can Cross-reference the name you provide against.

  11. Holy trinity in Tonagh. Bottom corner. Access from Longstone. I can probably get there today and photograph it if you want. 

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