Today I spent hours following the stories of some of Newcastle’s earliest residents, piecing together records from Sandgate Cemetery, Honeysuckle Point Cemetery, Cottage Creek Cemetery, family trees, burial records, and historical databases.
One of the most exciting discoveries was confirming that many individuals currently associated with Sandgate Cemetery actually died decades before Sandgate opened in 1881. This has led to the growing reconstruction of a forgotten chapter of Newcastle’s history involving the relocation and reinterment of burials from earlier cemeteries such as Honeysuckle Point and Cottage Creek.
Today’s research included:
⚰️ Identifying confirmed and possible reinterments from Honeysuckle Cemetery.
👨‍👩‍👧 Reconnecting family groups, including the Corner, Gilmore, Harvey, Magney, Stitt and Cornish families.
đź“Ť Recording original burial locations and modern Sandgate plot locations.
đź“– Building a timeline of Newcastle’s early cemeteries and the people laid to rest there.
🔍 Investigating conflicting records, family relationships, occupations and causes of death.
One particularly interesting find was the Harvey family, where two daughters named Margaret Harvey died in infancy only a few years apart—a reminder of the heartbreak many colonial families experienced.
Every name uncovered adds another piece to the story of Newcastle’s past. These are more than just names and dates; they were parents, children, workers, settlers and members of our community whose stories deserve to be remembered.
If you have family connections to Sandgate Cemetery, Honeysuckle Point Cemetery, Cottage Creek Cemetery, or the old Newcastle burial grounds, or have photographs, documents, family stories, or memories to share, I would love to hear from you.
Together, we can help ensure that those who have gone before us are never forgotten. ❤️
#GoneButNotForgottenNSW #SandgateCemeteryProject #NewcastleHistory #FamilyHistory #Genealogy #AustralianHistory #CemeteryResearch #HunterValleyHistory #LocalHistory #RememberingOurPast
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