So - due to the apparent lack of stones earlier than the mid 18th Century in Churchyards, what does this imply? Many of these churches are medieval and presumably burials have taken place since the buildings came into existance. These days, when the churchyards are full, they become “closed”, presumably with no plans to clear and open them again?

Would it be correct to assume that prior to the 18th century, these stones were systematically removed after a period of time? Although this is a logical conclusion, it is somewhat surprising as peoples religious beliefs and superstitions were extremely strong at this time, and I would imagine it wasn’t easy to find people who were prepared to interfere with centuries old graves on consecrated ground?

(Appologies for asking loads of questions, and not supplying any material yet)

Steve.

I’ve only just found your comments and info on this after 10 months!!! (As you can guess, i don’t work in IT duh!!! )

Thanks very much for the info - it is appreciated.

Steve.

I use the States because America is rather larger than just the US! Just ask the Canadians. Now to the point. I am researching the Stallings branch of my family and had got back to Nicholas, who came over from England (with ‘wife’) in 1635. Last evening I came across a lineage for the Alabama line which referenced Stallingborough as the Stallings English place of origin. However, this post stated that they were originally Danes named Storling. Here it becomes easier for me to paste in the post itself;

The Stalling family is of Danish origin. Originally, the name was spelled “Storling”; meaning “Steersman” which meant “Captain of a Viking Longboat”. It was first thought that the Storling family made their way to England with a group of Danish people about 800 A.D.
This group migrated into Germany and then made their way to England. The Stalling family formed a colony in Lincoln county, England known as “Stallingborough”. The site of Stallingborough can be found on the Lincolnshire Railroad near Grimsby on the east coast, about 140 miles north of London.
At the time Oliver Cromwell had his difficulties with King Charles 1, in the early 1600’s, two representatives of Stallingborough were members of the British House of Commons. These two members sided with King Charles 1 and this so infuriated Oliver Cromwell that he ordered the village of Stallingborough to be burned to the ground. The inhabitants had to flee for their lives and all records where lost.
Recently a member of the Stalling family, Laurence Stalling, while in England, visited the site of Stallingborough and found the remains of the village church were still visible.

What I am hoping to discover is two part, first is there any record of the Cromwellian bit (Riby Gap/Grip perhaps?) and Second, does anyone know of any Stallings family history in this area. I realize that if the history is true and they fled in the 1600’s there may be no residual info about them in Stallingborough. Any help is greatly appreciated. Laurie

Kevin Leahy told me that it was quite common for Anglo Saxon converts to hedge their bets and make submissions to the old gods as well; I wonder if this chap was doing just that by re-using the Roman gravestone because it mentioned aspects of deities he would have recognised and once have worshipped?

Kate

There is a Roman Gravestone at St. Mary le Wigford churchtower in Lincoln. It is set into the base of the tower.

The Gravestone inscription reads: (ive had to copy and paste this bit as my latin is not too good)

“Dis Manibus / nomini Sacri / Brusci fili(i) civis / Senoni et Carsso / unae coniugis / eius et Quinti f(ilii)”

[To the gods of the dead/departed/underworld. For the name (family of) of Sacer, son of Bruscus, citizen of the Senones et Caessouna his wife and Quintus his son].

There is also a Saxon inscription that was later added to the same stone:

“Eirtig me let wircean and fios godian Criste to lofe and sancte Marie” [Eirtig had me built and endowed to the glory of Christ and Saint Mary].

Eirtig was the very first benefactor who raised the funds to erect the original Church. Now why he thought to add his inscription to the Roman Gravestone instead of having his own, we will never know.

Kate