As family researchers we sometimes encounter roadblocks when researching our families in Newfoundland. This is especially true for the West Coast of the province. Vital information has been lost in all areas of research especially in the area of cemeteries and church information.

Many of the cemeteries have been lost because of time, weather, land erosion, and relocation. Many of the vital records for these cemeteries have also been misplaced or lost leaving many questions about our ancestors unanswered. Church records have been lost to fire and ship wrecks. Many of Newfoundland's vital records were taken away by Missionaries and Priests to other parts of the province or their home countries making family research very difficult to say the least.

We as family researchers understand the value of an old wooden marker with a few scribbled words outlining someone's life. Although difficult at times, we find the information we need either through documents, family bibles, parish records, head stone information or stories passed down from one generation to another.

What will family historians do in the future? How will anyone know of the cemetery that no longer exists in today's time? All of us, who have started the genealogy craze must preserve all that we learn. We must rebuild the cemeteries and church records that have already been lost. The information we hold is vital for preserving our past.

An invitation is extended to those of you who may have loved ones buried in a lost cemetery to submit their information to our "Lost Cemeteries Page". Information collected will be preserved so that future family historians will know where their ancestors were laid to rest and will have the history of the lost cemetery.

Anyone wishing to submit a location of a lost cemetery or a relative or friend that is in a lost cemetery please submit your information to a coordinator listed below.

Click here for a poem dedicated to ancestors of old