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WCC, Karori Cemetery, Burial Deeds
Descriptive Data
Archives Identifier00229Date RangeCirca 1892-1992DescriptionBurial deeds to plots in the Karori Cemetery. Deeds are signed legal documents, evidence of purchase of plots and may be transferred, reassigned or cancelled. Details include name, address and occupation of purchaser, plot location, purchase price and name of person buried [in top right hand corner] and document number [in bottom right hand corner]. Occasionally the words 'No Interment' appear at the top of the deed, indicating a plot purchased some years before it was required. Transfer, cancellation and reassignment details were also added to deeds. There are two copies of some deeds, but most are single copies as the second copy belonged to the purchaser.
The bound volumes are in deed date order. Between 1892 and 1933 the loose documents were arranged in alphabetical order by first letter of purchaser's surname followed by the next consecutive number, starting at 1 for each letter. From 1934 deeds are arranged in deed number order within a given time period. Deeds to plots in the Karori Lawn Cemetery [1951-1965 and 1977-1978] are arranged in a separate deed number order within given time periods.
From about 1970 onwards a severe staff shortage in the Town Clerk's office led to a backlog of deed preparation. Deeds were prepared as much as five years after the plot had been purchased, with the result that the purchaser might have moved or died in the intervening period and the deeds were then returned unsigned. Blocks of deed numbers were used simultaneously by different typists, resulting in some confusion in the numbering system.
Correspondence relating to the deeds is also included. Correspondence relating to deeds was also filed in the various correspondence files [series 00241, 00253, 00254 and 00255]. It is therefore useful to look at the correspondence series as well as at the burial deed series. Deed numbers were sometimes recorded in the burial register and the purchase register, but there is no cross index to the names of purchaser and deceased.MediumFileCollection TypeWellington City Council
The bound volumes are in deed date order. Between 1892 and 1933 the loose documents were arranged in alphabetical order by first letter of purchaser's surname followed by the next consecutive number, starting at 1 for each letter. From 1934 deeds are arranged in deed number order within a given time period. Deeds to plots in the Karori Lawn Cemetery [1951-1965 and 1977-1978] are arranged in a separate deed number order within given time periods.
From about 1970 onwards a severe staff shortage in the Town Clerk's office led to a backlog of deed preparation. Deeds were prepared as much as five years after the plot had been purchased, with the result that the purchaser might have moved or died in the intervening period and the deeds were then returned unsigned. Blocks of deed numbers were used simultaneously by different typists, resulting in some confusion in the numbering system.
Correspondence relating to the deeds is also included. Correspondence relating to deeds was also filed in the various correspondence files [series 00241, 00253, 00254 and 00255]. It is therefore useful to look at the correspondence series as well as at the burial deed series. Deed numbers were sometimes recorded in the burial register and the purchase register, but there is no cross index to the names of purchaser and deceased.MediumFileCollection TypeWellington City Council
Access Information
Restriction StatusOpen
Related Agencies
Controlling/Creating AgencyKarori CemeteryRelationship Date Range1892-
Related Series
WCC, Karori Cemetery, Burial Deeds. Archives Online, accessed 25/03/2023, https://archivesonline.wcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/1723