Milparinka Cemetery

THE MILPARINKA CEMETERY
The Milparinka Cemetery is located about 2 kilometres south west of the centre of Milparinka, on a treeless rise over looking the Evelyn Creek. Although surveyed and laid out according to denomination or ethnic origin there seems to be little order to the burials. Unfortunately there are no available records to help identify many of the graves of those who are buried here. New South Wales Births Deaths and Marriages records possibly hundreds of deaths in Milparinka from 1880 to 1920. Many were just babies, succumbing to diseases associated with poor hygiene or poor diet. Some were men and women with unknown family members who died trying to make a new life on the diggings of the Albert Goldfield. Of those buried at the Milparinka Cemetery only a few have a headstone to record their life. From 1887 to 1905 there were twelve deaths of "persons unknown". In 2002 the New South Wales Corrective Services Department greatly assisted the Milparinka Heritage and Tourism Association by reconstructing the fence and gates. It was the very least that our community could do the honour the memory of those buried there. These are a few images from the cemetery, and a little of we know about the person to whom the image pertains.
	Edith Stella Woods. Born in Milparinka in 1897, died in 1898. Infant daughter of William and Annie Wood. Senior Constable Wood was stationed at Milparinka from July 1894 to October 1901. He was born in Albury in 1865, and married Annie Jarvis in 1891. Other children were Colin and Ida.
	Silvinia M Baker. Born in Milparinka in 1890, died in 1901. Infant daughter of Thomas and Margaret Baker. Thomas Baker was a prominent member of the Milparinka community in the 1890s. He was born in 1876, and married Margaret Henry in Milparinka, on 20th December, 1897. See outback stories. Thomas Baker and his wife went on to own the Iduna Hotel and later established Milpa Station.
	William Rutherford. All that is known of William Rutherford is that he died in Milparinka in 1890. His parents were Andrew and Harriet. The sandstone headstone has fallen onto its back, and is badly damaged. Only part of the name William is visible, together with the letter D in Rutherford. It is only an assumption that this is his grave.