Lake Macquarie History

Morisset Cemetery

Morisset Cemetery - off Nentoura Road, Morisset is a small cemetery located in an isolated bushland setting.

A general cemetery site was marked out in the first subdivision of land in 1888. It is not certain when the land was cleared and fenced off, however, there is mention in the Newcastle Morning Herald (16/5/1910) of a fence existing along the side of the cemetery. The first internments are thought to be Ernest Locchi aged 21 and Miss Mary Case aged 18, both accidently drowned at Dora Creek Monday 11th December 1911. The oldest existing headstone in the cemetery is dated 1911.

This cemetery has an unusual small structure in the old Anglican section known historically as a "lych-gate." The word "lych-gate" refers to a covered area at the entrance to a cemetery where the casket awaits the clergy before proceeding into the cemetery for proper burial. Older sections of the cemetery are set aside in General, Catholic, Anglican, and Uniting (Presbyterian/Methodist) rows.

An aerial view on Google Earth provides an indication of the large number of unmarked graves of patients from the Morisset Hospital buried throughout the eastern side of the cemetery. Lake Macquarie City Council unveiled a granite memorial wall on 30th November 2012 for the hundreds of former mental-health patients of Morisset Hospital who were buried in unmarked graves. Memorial plaques can be placed for families who wish to memorialise their relatives individually.

Resources

There is NO known index to burials at Morisset Cemetery.

The following resources list some burials at Morisset Cemetery

Ryerson Index http://www.ryersonindex.org/index.htm/

R. M. Evans & Son Funeral Directors Records Index 1926-1991 / compiled by Lake Macquarie Family History Group Inc. Woodrising, N.S.W. : Lake Macquarie Family History Group Inc., 2014. (Held LMCC Library Speers Point, Call no. 929.5099442 RME Not for loan)

NSW Central Coast funeral records from Simplicity Funerals : incorporating James Brown and Lakes District Funeral Service 1963 - 1975 / Wyong, N.S.W. : Wyong Family History Group, 2006. (Held LMCC Library Speers Point, Call no. 929.5 NEW Not for loan)

Morisett Hospital patient records

A large number of records were destroyed in a fire in the Administration Office in the late 1950’s, early 1960’s. The records that remain are archived with Hunter New England Mental Health. Patients’ clinical files are destroyed after 15 years but Admission Registers, are still in existence, such information may be available to family history researchers under certain criteria. The Clinical Information Department is the central point of contact to request copies of clinical information/medical records for Hunter New England Mental Health Service. Contact details for Hunter New England Health Services and details on how to obtain historic patient records are listed on this site.

Morisset Hospital Historical Society http://www.morissethospitalhistoricalsociety.websyte.com.au/

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We remember and respect the Ancestors who cared for and nurtured this Country. It is in their footsteps that we travel these lands and waters. Lake Macquarie City Council acknowledges the Awabakal people and Elders past, present and future.

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