Rathbone Uncovered

[Eva Elisabeth]

(06-17-2013 10:11 AM)emma1231 Wrote:  Oh, well, if you think so. I have no expertise, and must rely on others' research. Seems an awfully expensive thing to do, too. Let us know if you ever come up with any records on this matter!
A sad closing chapter on an already sad and tragic story. You can't make up stuff like this! Someone ought to make a movie about Henry and Clara.

Emma,

first of all, it is not and never was my intention to convince you or anybody else of anything. I did this all for myself, my curiousity and my desire to find out as much as possible. Sorry, if you think I should have to “ever come up with any records on this matter” my intention is misunderstood. (Although I think I did come up with some records.) I shared with you what I did, the process, the outcome, the documents I was able to get, the statements of officials, archivists and others involved in my research, my thoughts and my conclusions which were at each certain point in time based upon what I had come to know until then, but it is up to you to draw your own conclusions. Also I never said “so the couple is still there” but “so the couple SHOULD still be there” (see post#31 on the thread “Major Rathbone’s accomodation in Hannover”.) This is IMO uttermost likely, but the only true, incontestable evidence despite all records and documents would be to open the grave and dig it up.

I attach the cemetery administration’s pdf information leaflet describing their modus operandi.
  Einebnung_von_Grabstellen.pdf (Size: 49.58 KB / Downloads: 5)
One decisive passage is the following:

Einebnung von Wahl- und
Reihengräbern
Traditionell gelten in Deutschland für Grabstätten
begrenzte Nutzungszeiten. Danach werden solche
Grabstätten in der Regel eingeebnet, um wieder Platz
für neue Bestattungen zu schaffen. Bei einer
Einebnung werden nur die an der Oberfläche
befindlichen Zeichen eines Grabes beseitigt, also das
Grabbeet und ggf. das Grabmal…
Erst nach Ablauf der Ruhezeiten, wenn also bei einer
Erdbeisetzung alles wieder zu Erde geworden ist, darf
ein Grab erneut zur Wiederbelegung genutzt werden.

The English translation of this passage is:

Leveling of gravesites (selected gravesites and linear form)
In Germany, gravesites traditionally apply to limited usage rights. Afterwards, the gravesites will normally be leveled to make way for further burials. In doing so just the superficial marks of the gravesite will be disposed of, thus the planting and the gravestone...
Only after the rest period [note: 40 years in former times, 20 years nowadays] expired, thus if after an inhumation everything will have turned to dust again, a gravesite may be reused.

On the leaflet are also the addresses and phone numbers of the cemetery and the administration, the email address is the following:
67.40@Hannover-Stadt.de
If you doubt the admin.’s statement to me that the remains remained in the gravesite and wish to clarify yourself you may contact and confront the administration with your doubts.

The Wikipedia article about Henry Rathbone even claims that the couple was cremated in 1952. There never was nor is a crematory at Engesohde cemetery, there has always (since 1924) just been one crematory in Hannover at another cemetery. Before 1924 cremation was prohibited by law and even afterwards fiercely critizised by both, Lutherian and Catholic church. (In 1960, the percentage of cremations in the FRG was 10,4%.)

Emma,
you are free to believe whatever you like. Sorry then for bothering you with all this. First I didn't even want to post about all this, but once started I tried hard and spent a lot of time on reporting as conscientiously as possible and sending and translating documents. I truly accept your opinion, but your wording made me a bit sad. Honestly it hurt.