WCC, Wellington Public Cemetery (Bolton/Sydney Streets) and Church of England Cemetery, Burial Registers

Descriptive Data

Archives Identifier00222Date RangeCirca 1849-1931DescriptionProvision for cemeteries in early Wellington was confused, with claims and counter claims by the various [Protestant] denominations. Burial plot location was not recorded during at least the first 10 years of settlement and there were often gaps in the later records. Originally it had been envisaged that all burials would take place in what was known as the 'Public Cemetery', however, a separate area was set aside for Jewish burials and, after much argument a separate Church of England cemetery was set aside, although some early non conformist burials had already taken place in this part of the cemetery reserve.

Church of England Cemetery: The separate Church of England cemetery alongside Bolton Street was consecrated in 1855. The Church of England cemetery was vested in the Wellington City Corporation in 1892 and Church of England burials [except for burials in family plots] then took place in Karori Cemetery. The WCC Archives holds registers for the Church of England portion of the cemetery from 1867 onward. Earlier registers are held by the Wellington Diocese.

Jewish Cemetery: The Jewish cemetery was consecrated in 1843; closed in 1892 and vested in the Wellington City Corporation after the opening of the Jewish part of the Karori Cemetery. No registers exist prior to about 1887.

Public Cemetery: Boundaries constituted 1854. The lower portion of the cemetery, nearest the town, was used first, entered from Sydney Street. A further portion, cemetery reserve Number 5, which later became Anderson Park, was used from 1890 until the cemetery was closed in 1891. The 55 burials in this area were later dug up and 53 reinterred in the Sydney Street section of the Cemetery, while 2 were reinterred at Karori. Records of the reinterments were poor, and original burial plot locations are given in the registers although some may be found in the transcriptions of head stones.

There are registers from 1849 and 1858 to about 1931, held by WCC Archive. The 1849 register was not compiled until 1882. The register kept by the sexton from 1858 was therefore the original document. An alphabetical index to the 1849 register was ordered in 1887.MediumBound VolumeSystem of Arrangement Entries in burial number order, which is generally also date order.Collection TypeWellington City Council

List of Burials in Bolton and Sydney Street cemeteries

Burial Register for Church of England Cemetery

Burial Register for Wellington Public Cemetery [Sydney and Bolton Streets]

List of Burials in Sydney Street Cemetery

Burial Register for Church of England Cemetery

Burial Register for Wellington Public Cemetery

Series

WCC, Bolton and Sydney Street Cemetery Burial Card Index

WCC, Wellington Public Cemetery (Bolton/Sydney Streets), Burial Deeds

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling/Creating AgencyWellington City CorporationRelationship Date Range1870-

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WCC, Wellington Public Cemetery (Bolton/Sydney Streets) and Church of England Cemetery, Burial Registers