Monday, January 23, 2012

Taphophile Tragics # 5


Libraries have the Dewey Decimal System. The cataloguing of the departed is more libertarian.

In Rookwood Necropolis, the main cemetery in Sydney, there are over a million departed souls, in an area of about 300 hectares. What you see in the first photograph is a snapshot of the Locater of Rookwood Departed Souls. The second photograph shows that in Pere LaChaise, in Paris, they have a more 'romantic' approach to locating resting places.


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Welcome to the fifth week of Taphophile Tragics. Please link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11). I monitor the links daily, and am managing to visit everyone who posts. I appreciate your most diverse contributions.

When you can, please visit the contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours.

31 comments:

Unknown said...

I can't remember what these signs look like here. Have to check it! :-)

Mark said...

I know I have said this before but I love the word necropolis.

Julie said...

Just like I love your word 'lawnise', Mark.

Neil J Murphy said...

Here on Long Island (New York, USA) the two huge military cemeteries (LI National at Pinelawn and Calverton National) have computer kiosks so you can search by name. It then generates a map of the property with the location marked.

A good idea, but a terrible interface; if you don't have the exact name (including middle initial) you're out of luck. I couldn't remember my uncle's middle initial: it took me 19 tries before I found where he was.

Gemma Wiseman said...

I was wondering how Rookwood mapped out so many identities! No friendly "leader" to look up your enquiry? Interesting photos!

Dina said...

One million departed souls in Rookwood?!
Yes, you show quite different approaches.

I'm glad to join your meme today, Julie.

Peter said...

Sorry about the double link, didn't read the instructions.

Julie said...

Welcome, Dina. Have you been to Rookwood? You would love it.

Neil, the computer kiosk sounds really good, but needs a wild card (*) concept. The online search at Rookwood is really good, but you need your own computer.

Gemma, there is an office at Rookwood, who will look up the name for you and print off two maps and then point you in the right direction. They are very helpful.

Peter, it happens with this Linky. I might eventually change over to the photo Linky but it is very 'busy'.

hamilton said...

I cannot imagine navigating through the names/locations of a million departed souls.

freefalling said...

Oh bloody hell!
It's Tuesday again already!!
I don't know HOW you do it??
If I start work now, I might be able to join in again in 2 weeks or so!!!

What's the "ion" bit on the french sign mean?

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

My first Taphophile is up, Julie!

Interesting post of yours today. I remember going to the Melbourne Cemetery (the first and oldest) and getting lost in it. Fortunately, there are maps and "street" names and "districts" in it.

VioletSky said...

That locator in the Rookwood doesn't look particularly helpful! But then, I have never gone looking for a specific gravesite.

Stefan Jansson said...

I usually go to www.gravar.se where I can type in a name and find the grave I am looking for.

Sondra said...

IT would be great if all of the cemeteries I visit were as well documented as the one you have pictured. I volunteer for Find A Grave to photograph the headstone requests in my area...sometimes I have to walk the entire cemetery looking for the stone.

Oakland Daily Photo said...

The locator leaves me lost. You may be "here" but I can't tell where that is. Then again with a million (!) graves, maybe it doesn't really matter. Thanks again for creating this meme. It's nice having company in this interest.

Julie said...

Letty: I think the French sign says '4th Division, 2nd Section'.

Hamilton: you need at least a surname to navigate through the records.

Sondra: that volunteering job sounds like it might be right up my alley-way.

Carolyn: on the ground it is easier to understand that particular sign. I am glad you are finding company for your obsession. I know I am finding company for mine.

Carolyn: I am not sure if a name CAN be removed for the Linky. I will go read up later this evening should I have time.

Julie said...

Sorry friends, I am a little late today getting around to everyone's post. I did an additional day of 'care' with my daughter today. She is much stronger, but today took a lot of energy from her.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I went to a burial in that cemetery and it took ages to find the right place. They could do with a mobile app to guide you.

Julie said...

Joan: I will suggest it to my son.

s.c said...

It's funny how many systems there are so you can find a person on a great cemetery . Here in the netherlands you have to asked at the porters lodge and then they give you a printed map with the grave crossed on. But I never found it direct at home on the computer.

Gene said...

Wowsa...a million in one cemetery?

Julie said...

Some of those interred at Rookwook were transferred from other city cemeteries which were closed due to the expansion of the city. But, yes. It is a massive cemetery. Too big, I suspect.

CaT said...

no signs at all at the cemeteries behind my apartment!

Owen said...

The only other place I ever heard of a million people being buried in one cemetery was in Leningrad, errr, Saint Petersburg in Russia, where there is a huge cemetery for the victims of the 900 day seige of Leningrad in WWII. Père Lachaise is indeed very well signposted, and maps are available at the entrance, which come in very handy, because you can get a bit lost in there.

tapirgal said...

Interesting. I almost pulled some photos out of my file that showed the location map. Maybe next time.

tapirgal said...

Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Julie. You are spending a lot of time on this meme, and it's clear that you found a theme that is meaningful to a lot of us. Yes, look how many of us have stored up photos or made earlier posts on this subject that we are eager to share! Thank you so much for providing the forum as well as your attention. More to come, as always!

Julie said...

It is a definite pleasure, Sheryl. Learning about the lives - and deaths - of others is always a fascinating pursuit. Goodo ... I wait with bated breath.

biebkriebels said...

Thank you for your nice comment on my post. I am not so familiar with churches in the Hague but it could be the Grote or St.Jacobs Kerk, dates from 15th Century, but is has no gardens around.But it is nice you have been there. I remember you mentioned long ago the Diorama in the Hague on your blog. I had just started blogging at that time.
Marianne

Julie said...

Marianne, I am asking my Dutch friend whom I stayed with during my 2001 visit to Nederlans. She now lives in the UK.

Jo said...

Wow,a million departed souls in that one cemetery. You're amazing, Julie, how you find all these interesting facts about the living and the dead of your fascinating city. Greetings, Jo (Kenya)

Anonymous said...

Very interesting. It must have been sad to see it in person.