Symonds St Cemetery - 2007 Photo Gallery by Janice Dunn at pbase.com

Symonds St Cemetery - 2007

One Day some friends and I visted the Symonds Street Cemetery in Auckland, New Zealand.

The Symonds Street cemetery was established around 1852, and closed in 1885 (apart for the burial of additional family members.) The cemetery represents a significant collection of 19th century funerary art and masonry, and survives as an important social record for Auckland, holding the graves of Governor William Hobson and Major George Pitt, as well as many other early Auckland citizens

It's odd that all the graves are over 100 years old. There are no new graves. The newest I found was someone buried in 1930, but I have heard that the last burial was carried out in the 1950s.

The cemetery on the Grafton side is more overgrown with a few paths and on the Symonds Street side it's a little more "cemetery" like.

Hundreds of graves were moved when the motorway went through in the 60's, but for the most part, everything is as it was back 100 years ago or more.

Standing tall	Rusty and Sharp	Sacred memory	Textures in Black and White	Red Bull
Roses in the Graveyard	Grave Rails	Spray Paint can among the graves	Young man hiding his plastic bag of paint	Nothing is straightCanon 70-300 lens
Grafton Gully part of the graveyard	Grafton Gully part of the graveyard	Grass will grow anywhere	Interesting colours on the headstone	Beer bottle
Paint Sniffers at Work	The grave is falling away	Rusting decoration	Just like lace	Art-work
Mess in Black and White	Red Bull

comment |

Lynsmum		19-Jan-2016 09:37
The BRUCE family rest in the Presbyterian section described as 5th from Karangahape Road near a bus stop. I wonder if this is a hugh family plot. As I have transcribed many cemeteries in the past, it annoys me why vandals destroy them. No respect!!!!

Peter Jackson		18-Mar-2014 07:38
Looking for resting place of my G Grandmother, Ellen Jackson died 25thJuly 1909 buried Symonds Street 27th July 1909. Could be buried with family members who predeceased her prior to closing of this cemetery.

Guest		24-Jul-2013 09:14
Hi I am looking for my 3rd GGfathers grave. He was laid to rest in the Grafton Gully in 1872. Also his wife Harriot in 1874. Their surname was Green. I was wondering if their graves are still there. I can find no data base to look at to find their graves. email francesalgar@xtra.co.nz

karen morey		25-Mar-2013 21:03
Hi there am looking for a ggg aunt who was buried in Symonds st 1886 Frances Percy she has disappeared but her Hubby Edward haylock Percy is still there on the lists.. Frances was in papers past as leaving Welesley st to be buried in Symonds st... are you able to put light on this maybe last shot at trying to find her. cheers Karen Morey. email allgoldsnz@snap.net.nz

karen morey		25-Mar-2013 21:01
Hi there I was wondering if you by chance have a Edward Haylock Percy in Symonds st I have lost his wife my ggg aunt France Percy who was buried in 1886 in Symonds st.. she has disappeared.. but her hubby is still there and listed.. its a long shot. cheers Karen email allgoldsnz@snap.net.nz

Ann Simon		05-Dec-2012 22:08
The Rout and Langley family were buried here. I wonder if there are any headstones left. I live in Australia. The photos are wonderful

noeline fairchild		12-Nov-2012 00:52
Hi. I was at symonds st.yesterday,and after much letter writing and yelling and protesting,they have mowed the grass,and started getting rid of the forest,around the lower reaches of cemetery. I have found 5 sites,so far,of my family ancestors,and consider myself fortunate,as some are under bridge,fromn its construction days,and also some on the list on memorial wall. I am told by Heritage committee,of Auckland council,things are going to happen shortly.I replie with they had better hurry up,or it will be too late. Regarding gluesniffers,drunks,and druggies,homeless,......IF they clean it all up,get rid of the under and over growth,and clean up the gully,then there wont BE hidey holes for them to slink into. Lovely Photos,.....and unfortunately VERY true,..especially the Anglican section....seems to be a favourite place to desecrate.These photos should be presented to Mr.Len Brown in his Ivory Tower,and published in the Herald,front page....contact Brian Rudman,journalist for herald,with them,eh?

Shirley Kendall		02-Nov-2012 02:37
Message to Guest re the grave of Wynne Peyton Gray. This grave is in a very obscure part of the cemetery and I have lots of photos of the actual gravestone if this person would like to contact me at fencibles@kooee.com.au

Linda		11-May-2012 07:46
Thanks for photographing these. My Gt gt gt grandparents are buried here along with some other ancestors. The day my mum, dad and I went to visit and photograph their graves we were incredibly intimidated by the glue sniffers who came out and circled around us while sniffing their bags. It was very scary so we quickly took a quick photo and left. It is disgusting to think that the council can't sort this problem out. These graves represent the original colonial settlers to NZ and should be treated with respect. By the way for those people wondering about the graves that were moved when the motorway went through (my rellies included) they have recreated a collective headstone with all the names on it.

shelley monk		21-Apr-2012 05:50
have a family plot there which went to visit today, would love to see the place restored. Intend to write to the council about this.

Guest		09-Feb-2012 04:08
I have a copy from the Auckland Libraries of the headstone on my great grandfather's grave, (Wynne Peyton Gray) but wonder if it was one of the graves that disappeared under the motorway. Diana

Hine		24-Dec-2011 00:30
Finally, visited the cemetary Saturday 24 December entering from St Martin's Lane and going right down under Gafton Bridge to Paruru stream. The cemetary is a commentary about life at the time of settlement in this county and also about those who have been marginalised in this society in more recent times. There is certainly a sense of timelessness in this area. However, it does seem a shame if money cannot be found to provide better maintenance.

Guest		28-Nov-2011 02:48
Wynne I wanted to visit a family grave but was utterly put off by about twenty derelict-looking glue sniffers congregating round Hobson's grave. How tragic to end their lives this way.

Jennie		26-Jul-2011 10:31
Have you found the grave of Francis Robertson (late of Perterhead Scotland) died March 22 1872 buried March 1872. ?? He was my great grandfather and built whaling ships and ships that were used is Antipodean trade. His wife Hannah left New Zealand in the 1870s with her six daughters and came to live in London. Of course it is possible that his body was among those exhumed for the new road. All old tombstones should be recorded before the inscriptions are erased by wind and rain. Lovely photos, unfortunately as I live on the other side of the world will not have a chance to make my own visit. Best wishes and keep up the good work

Jennie		26-Jul-2011 10:23
Have you found the grave of Francis Robertson (late of Perterhead Scotland) died March 22 1872 buried March 1872. ?? He was my great grandfather and built whaling ships and ships that were used is Antipodean trade. His wife Hannah left New Zealand in the 1870s with her six daughters and came to live in London. Of course it is possible that his body was among those exhumed for the new road. All old tombstones should be recorded before the inscriptions are erased by wind and rain. Lovely photos, unfortunately as I live on the other side of the world will not have a chance to make my own visit. Best wishes and keep up the good work

Stu		18-Jul-2011 10:08
The pictures point out the neglect and disrespect of this area..having walked through there last weekend i was nothing short of gobsmacked by the neglect and disrespect of Aucklands pioneers at rest...children too Rip .... Gutted..cheers for the photos nice work

Barbara Heide		10-Apr-2011 15:25
fabulous visit! v

Alan Coyle		17-Feb-2011 00:32
Is there a conservation plan of any sort for this Cemetery or is it being allowed to fall down ???

Ann...		02-Feb-2011 08:48
I can only echo my comments on your Symonds Street Graveyard gallery, although one or two of these images got me close to tears - sadness, frustration and anger that this level of vandalism and neglect should be allowed. This is a very fine gallery in which you have got to the heart of these places.

LynnH		28-Jan-2011 21:55
Sad to see the dilapitated cemetary, looks like there is beautiful carvings and ironwork in it. Excellent photos! V

Sharon Rogers		15-Aug-2008 21:29
Nice peaceful looking place, I love cemetaries too

blizzard		30-Aug-2007 04:50
congrats each one of is a real delight to view composition , detail and tone or color great v

Rahul		02-Aug-2007 09:35
very nice

Gervan		16-Jun-2007 22:31
Added this beautiful gallery to my topics. V

Jola Dziubinska		11-Jun-2007 22:04
Wonderful gallery, Janice, such a peaceful, old place. It's good thing you went there and photographed, thanks for sharing. I've got a collection of cemetery art as well.

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