Volunteers Profile: Peter Whitfield

This is a profile of Peter Whitfield, a Gravestone Photographic Resource volunteer.
Unfortunately Peter died in 2013.

A bit about Peter Whitfield I retired from a career in accountancy in 2009 at the age of 57. During that summer my wife and I were at my sisters and brother-in laws and the subject of family history came up. With all of our parents dead we realised that there were aspects of our family history that we would like to know more about. So having recently retired I had spare time to investigate our past. In doing so I have traced my paternal grandfathers line back to Hanmer in North Wales and discovered 2nd cousins, in Toronto Canada, who we did not know existed. To add to this research we have visited both locations meeting with previously unknown relations.

Why did you become a volunteer?

I found the Gravestone Photographic Resource website whilst researching my family history and although it added nothing, at that time to my own research, was impressed with the site. So impressed that my wife and I decided to contribute to it.

How long have you been a volunteer?

We started visiting churchyards in the summer of 2009.

How do you choose which cemetery to photograph?

We have three types of cemeteries. Firstly those connected directly to our family history research. We live on the east coast of Norfolk but many of our ancestors are from North and North West Norfolk so we have concentrated on them. We have also visited north Wales and have photographed 4 churchyards and plan to return in May 2012. Secondly we visit cemeteries close to where we live. Often ones by the Norfolk Broads or on the coast. Thirdly we visited requested areas. Sometimes we receive an email from Charles who has been asked about a church in our area that has not been photographed so we add that to our list.

How much time do you spend volunteering for the Gravestone Photographic Resource?

This varies based on what other activities we have during that week. Sometimes only an hour, two or three with photographing but other times if it is a wet cold week there may be 20 or more hours on indexing. But as this is now one of my hobbies that time is well spent.

Would you recommend volunteering?

Most definitely. We plan a photographing day based on our commitments and the weather. We chose a church based on one of the 3 criteria show above and check to see if it has been photographed. The trip to the church often takes us off the beaten track to villages we have never visited nor would visit. We meet people in the churchyard who, with one exception, are pleasant and interested in the activity. Most photographic sessions incorporate lunch at the village pub - so a great day out. Recommended to all.