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HISTORY OF THE SMYTHESDALE CEMETERY
– a significant goldfields cemetery

The Golden Plains Shire Heritage Place Report highlights the significance of this historic cemetery. It describes the formal layout of the cemetery dating from the early 1860s as having a heart shaped drive with a central avenue of Ulmus procera (Elms) leading from the entrance gateway. The Report states that the grounds are regarded as one of the most elaborate in the Golden Plains Shire for its planning and planting.

LIFE AND DEATH ON THE GOLDFIELDS

In 1861 42% of burials were infants up to 12 months of age, while nearly 30% were of children aged 1 to 15 years.

John Lynch and his wife Isabella lived in Smythesdale for over 50 years. Of their fourteen children, seven died within an eight month period; new born twins and five as a result of the diphtheria epidemic of 1872. The Lynch family grave, on the main drive, is the largest in the cemetery.

HISTORY OF THE SMYTHESDALE CEMETERY
– a significant goldfields cemetery

The Golden Plains Shire Heritage Place Report highlights the significance of this historic cemetery. It describes the formal layout of the cemetery dating from the early 1860s as having a heart shaped drive with a central avenue of Ulmus procera (Elms) leading from the entrance gateway. The Report states that the grounds are regarded as one of the most elaborate in the Golden Plains Shire for its planning and planting.

LIFE AND DEATH ON THE GOLDFIELDS

In 1861 42% of burials were infants up to 12 months of age, while nearly 30% were of children aged 1 to 15 years.

John Lynch and his wife Isabella lived in Smythesdale for over 50 years. Of their fourteen children, seven died within an eight month period; new born twins and five as a result of the diphtheria epidemic of 1872. The Lynch family grave, on the main drive, is the largest in the cemetery.

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