Death: A New Kind of Subject
After nine years in Victoria I recently discovered what was in my backyard, Ross Bay Cemetery. It started as a simple walk through the cemetery, and quickly became an obsession. I found myself wandering around the graves, checking out the trees every night. I started taking mental notes which progressed into recorded thoughts and questions. Who were these people, what was life like for them? Who is in there? Where did they come from? What secrets lie beneath the earth? What crazy things have happened in here?
I admired the landscaping, glorious trees—some shooting straight up through graves breaking their foundations, toppling headstones. You could spend hours checking out the symbolism on the headstones, religious, spiritual, masonic and more. I wanted to know all the stories. I thought of what comes with death, not just the grief and remembering but of the taxes, estate sales, family feuds that spark up when family members feel they are owed something. I should get on my Will, I don't want the government to get my RRSPs. How about you, are you ready to die? That's not a threat, I'm not Clint Eastwood.
Each month I'll explore some death and taxes tips and if you have any tips please feel free to share.
When I started digging on the surface it was easy to find the more popular graves, the first woman to own land in BC, Isabella Ross, is buried in there, Civil Rights activist from the South Nancy Lester, sugar importer R. P. Rithet, lots of Premiers (yes Kiki, there is a Brewster), Billy Barker and artist Emily Carr. But who else is in there? What secrets lie beneath the earth? Reading the headstones gives you an indication for some, with such terms as "Lost at Sea" or "Killed in Action." Others, such as those in Potters Field, have themselves become apart of the field.
I have yet to take one of the official tours, preferring my own, but I think soon I will have to as it is almost ghost season. I want the dirt, the gossip on our past. Each month I will uncover the dirt (good or bad) on some of the residents, give you a little history lesson on our past. I was shocked to find out so many people don't know who Billy Barker is but I was just as shocked to learn our second Premier had changed his name to Amor De Cosmos (loosely translates to Lover of the Universe).
Many ghosts have been reported in Ross Bay over the years, from a woman running around looking for her lost child to Isabella Ross looking out at the water. I am a believer and have 'felt' something or someone in my company before, but I have yet to meet the Lady in White or David Fee in the cemetery.
What is with ghosts? Will they follow me home? Will they haunt me or guide me? I have heard if you ask a spirit to leave it has to, is this true? I don't know the answer but I have asked that none of the residents of Ross Bay Cemetery follow me (or my family) home.
I recently ran into an old golfing partner in the cemetery who was with a group of ghost hunters from all over North America. They had all the equipment you need to search for paranormal activity but had not yet discovered any that night, which was fine by me, the last thing I need is a ghost.
Ever been to one of the satanic rituals that are rumoured to have happened at Ross Bay (Michelle Remembers)? I haven't, but with Halloween coming I'm getting ready to check out the night activity at the cemetery.
The cemetery grounds are very active with the landscape changing all the time as old graves are uncovered and cleaned up. Many graves are actively maintained by families or volunteer groups and have been turned into beautiful flower gardens, which are impressive as some of these well maintained graves are over a hundred years old. Other graves seem to be left to fend for themselves as they are swallowed by ivy or have caved-in on themselves.
Fallen trees are quickly removed with the wood left for anyone to drive in with a vehicle and take it. Vandalism still seems to be an issue, and although I haven't seen the mass vandalism Ross Bay has had in other years, you do notice little bits here and there.
Currently the cemetery volunteers seem to be performing a shrub removal exorcism, shrubs and bushes all over have been removed, often not revealing a covered grave; I can only think it has to do with security and creating an unobscured view as many of Victoria's homeless find it an attractive spot to lay down for the night.
Check out their web site for more information about restoration and conservation programs: http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/
Maybe you have family in Ross Bay Cemetery, maybe you lost your virginity there, I don't know, but I would love for you to share your stories about the cemetery, or death in general with the rest of us.
Haven't heard enough? M.E. Ash always has lots to rant about:
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