Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
  • MENU
Stop Press:

 The Heritage Resource Centre in Ryde Cemetery is open every Tuesday 10am till 2pm

Saturday Opening for November: 16th, 10am till 2pm

Looking back...

Interesting things that happened in Ryde in the past

View all articles

Welcome to the Ryde Social Heritage Group Website

Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight

RSHG was formed by a small group of friends in 2002 and became a formally constituted group in 2005. RSHG exists to research, document andshare information about the history of Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK, including the development of the town, the people, their lives and deaths, businesses and entertainments.

Since 2002 we have been recording information from Ryde Cemetery producing maps and recording inscriptions and we search through archives to find biographical information relating to the people buried there. We are also researching about the people, businesses, development and significant events that happened in Ryde.  We collect documents, information and artefacts relating to Ryde and have a growing archive which we make available to the public at Open Days and exhibitions.  We produce books and leaflets, hold exhibitions and give guided walks and presentations to help people understand the rich history and the significance of our town.

RYDE HERITAGE AUDIO TRAIL

ryde-audio-trail-leaflet

 

Next Event


Remembrance Service
We will be holding a short Service of Remembrance in the South Chapel at Ryde Cemetery, on Saturday 9th November 2024, at 3pm.  The Resource Centre will be open from 2.30pm.
Other items
It would seem appropriate for this month of Remembrance, that the image  we show is of members of His Majesty’s Army,
As Ryde celebrated its Centenary Year, one of the town’s oldest residents, Mr. G. Hooper, of 66 St. John’s Road, recalled the borough early days.

The grave database was last updated:
06 / 11 / 2024
Latest News
Mr Roy Purnell was the second son of a former mayor (Ald. James Benham Purnell).
We were pleased to see a good amount of members turn up at the Baptist Church, George Street, on Saturday 5th October, for the RSHG Quarterly Social Morning. Also, two visitors came along to join us. 
For many years Mr. Lewis kept a well-known shop in the High street.

Photo of the Month
It was said that Alderman William Hughes, of London, had Moray House built adjoining St James Church in Ryde, for his own residence.

Knitting is not usually regarded as an accomplishment in which the male sex are proficient or even interested but Mr. Henry Steward, of Park Road, Ryde, has shown us a quantity of his work.


Database of Graves and Names

The Graves Section is by far the largest section of the website: the database currently holds over 23,000 records, from Ryde, Ashey, Binstead, St John’s, St Thomas’ and Holy Cross cemeteries. The website is updated on a regular basis.  You can search for an individual by typing the surname into the search box in the top right hand corner of this page or you can go to our Graves search page for more advanced search features. If we have any more information about a person we have attached files to the relevant record. Scroll down to the bottom of any record to see more information and/or photographs.


Cemetery Maps

The website also contains information to help you locate a grave in Ryde Cemeteries.  Each record gives a RSHG map number and grid reference.  If you go to the map page you can print off a copy of the relevant map or maps.  You can also look up the name of a person in the Alphabetical Indexes, the indexes contain all the names that are on the maps whether the Transcribing Group has been able to read them or not.  Some graves cannot be read because they are too eroded, have no markers or are too overgrown, so if you can’t find who you are looking for by using our Search features it’s worth checking the indexes. Further details of how to do this can be found on the Map page. The map and index files may take a few minutes to download, depending on the speed of your connection.


History of Ryde and Ryde Cemeteries (IW, UK)

The section on History is sub-divided into the history of the town of Ryde Isle of Wight, and each Church and Cemetery.


Nature

The section on Nature provides details of the flora and fauna found in Ryde Cemetery as this is also part of the heritage of the Cemetery grounds.


Ryde Cemetery Video Tour

 


About Ryde Social Heritage Group

The About Us Section contains details about Ryde Social Heritage Group (RSHG) and lists Committee members, how to join the group and RSHG magazine Beyond the Graves.  The group is a non-funded organisation and is run completely by volunteers.  It relies on fundraising and donations, so if you can assist or donate at any time, it would be very much appreciated. DONATE HERE


More Features:

Each month, the front page has a Featured Stories, and a dated list of News items. Also an Other Items section, which are random photographs and articles of interest. The stories on these three pages are archived so that you can always read any you have missed.  There is also a photo of the month.  We offer assistance to anyone researching their family history, with advice how to proceed or what to look at in our archive. Non members visiting, who wish to use the archive, will be required to sign in as a temporary member for the day, and make a suggested donation of £2, so we can offer them the same facilities as our members. We can also search online records for you for a nominal fee.


Website Content:

It has unfortunately come to our attention in recent months that people are downloading articles and photos from our website,  that we have researched and own,  and loading to other sites. This definitely breaches our Copyright.  The Terms & Conditions (see below), specifically say not to put on, or share on, Facebook, but alas, this is what is happening.  Copyright means that Ryde Social Heritage Group has to give permission, and we have not.  You are very welcome to use our research facilities for Personal Use, but please, please, read our articles etc. through our website link, and not download articles and photos without our permission.  We would like to thank you sincerely for your consideration.

Talk to Us:
Please let us know what you think of this web site. We value your opinions.

..or come and find us!

Click here for Ryde Cemetery’s Location on Google Maps