Cholera.

alewales · Cholera.

Just found some info on Genuki.
It appears that during the cholera outbreak of 1849, 203 people died of the diease in Tredegar, promting the inhabitants, fearing further infection, to bury the dead as far away from the town as possible; Cefn Gola.
However, at the same time in Aberystruth 223 died (210 in May alone).
Where were the people buried? Did Aber have a cholera cemetry, if so, where?
Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks,
Jamie.

Carolyn

Hi Jamie,

Cannot be 100% sure but researching the burial records up at the old church there were a great number of infant deaths occuring in the same year in Six Bells and I was told that this was due to cholera

kdwent

There is an old cholera hospital on the hill above NantyGlo, not sure if there is a cemetry ther also.

Adam ev

The old isolation in Nantyglo has been turned into a large house(about 15 years ago) it is in the conn8ifer wood you can see on the left as you drive past the 'new houses' which have been built on the left of the bypass at coalbrookvile, Also there was an isolation hospital in Abertillery, directly above Gelli-grug park allotments, and foundations remain on the site here. If you ever get the chance it is a sombering sight to see and read the graves at Cefn-gola cemetry ( very much like boot-hill) and if not preserved will no doubt be lost to the elements within a decade or so.

Carolyn

Isolation hospital Gelli Crug

g.price · cemetery at cefn golau

I LIVE IN CEFN GOLAU, AND WORK IN ABERTILLERY. I HAVE SOME PHOTOS OF THE CHOLERA CEMETERY IN CEFN GOLAU IF ANY ONE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. I JUST DONT KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THEM.[/img]

alewales

Thanks to everyone for the replies!
Cheers Adam, I got your message but have been too busy to make enquieries.
I met up with Dr. Dai over Xmas and he explained that Aberystruth covered a much larger area than Abertillery. Even so, a tragic loss of life!
Caroline, The Old Church seems the obvious place (now you mention it;))!
I'd love to see the photos of Cefn Gola. Surely something can be done to preserve such an important historical, indeed spiritual, place!

alewales

The figures for deaths from cholera are only for those recorded. It is thought that many more died, but at the time Cholera was thought
to 'attack' households that were, in some way, 'unclean'.
To avoid such stigma, there are reports of families burying their loved ones on the mountain side or even in their gardens.
At a time when religious belief was unquestioned this must have been heartbraking for the remaining relatives; to inter their loved ones with no 'official' religious ceremony.

Carolyn · Re: cemetery at cefn golau

g.price

Easier way. go to Tredegar website and look in gallery choose cholera, and there are a few photos there.

Carolyn

Thanks gave it a try last night, there was also some interesting links on the forum

http://www.cefnpennar.com/tredegar/cefngolau.htm

http://www.geocities.com/jenks436/cholera.html

http://www.blaenau-gwent.gov.uk/8025.asp

dragonking · Cholera Blaina

Hi all, am new to the site, but was interested in the Cholera chat, I have a copy for the Cholera burials in St Peters church blaina and between 23rd july 1849 and 30th nov 1849 aprox 170 burials took place as the result of the desease, whole families were wiped out, a lot of the burials were in mass graves and the bodies were covered in lime, I beleive that after that the burials then took place at the new Blaina Cemetery in Abertillery Road, hope that helps Carolyne.
take care all

Carolyn

Many thanks for the information and welcome to the forum Dragonking. If you are who I think you are I will be keeping in touch Laughing

Take care

Cholera.

cemetery at cefn golau

Re: cemetery at cefn golau

Cholera Blaina