The landscape, heritage and society of St Michael's churchyard, Shotwick

Abstract

This dissertation examines the history and heritage of St Michael's Churchyard in the Wirral parish of Shotwick. It explores in particular the effect topographical features and historical events have had on the churchyard's development. Stylistic variations in memorials are analysed to identify chronological trends. The lifestyle of churchyard occupants is also discussed, with the spotlight focusing specifically on the Whaley, Roberts and Maddock families; parish curates; and RAF pilots killed in the final months of the Second World War. Information has chiefly been derived from memorials recorded during numerous visits to the churchyard itself, and from primary and secondary sources held by Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies, in particular maps, parish registers and their transcripts, churchwarden's accounts, wills, reports of coroner's inquests, school log¬books, tithe apportionments, charters and church correspondence. Relevant information has been extracted from Cheshire County Council's Sites and Monuments Record, and material held by the War Graves Commission and the RAF Museum at Hendon has also contributed to the exposition. Data from all these sources has been collated and analysed to extrapolate parochial trends, and much supporting material discussed in the body of the dissertation is included in the Appendices as verification.