30 thoughts on “FIND YOUR ANCESTORS IN COLOMBO GENERAL CEMETERY”
Baird Cuber
I am looking for my Uncle, Gerald Arnold, who was born in the United States and moved to Sri Lanka from Sweden around 1986. If you have any information about him I would be greatly appreciative.
I am looking for records of my grandfather, Donald Forbes, who died in sri Lanka in or about 1941 of peritonitis. He was, I believe, sub inspector of police or ports there. His service was held at st andrews but he was buried elsewhere in Colombo. Any assistance would be appreciated.
I know this is several years on, and I hope you receive this. Donald Forbes was my uncle, my mother’s brother. As you describe your grandfather, it sounds like they are they same person. I have documents pertaining to his death, and can let you know all that I know of him if you can respond to this. Best regards
HI
I am trying to find more information on my mother Primrose Therese Keig.
Would like to know where she was born and where.
I did send you another email regards my grandparents too but this is in addition.
I know she lived in Colombo before she married my Father but that is all I know.
Hope you can help in ay way.
Thanks
Pam Cramer
As I am coming to Colombo in July, I have a friend who’s grand father is buried in Borella Kanatte Cemetery Colombo. His name is Leopold Alfred Ashley Hayter. I wish to take a photo of his grave. Is there anyway I can have the location beforehand? His grandson lives in Scotland. I don’t have details of his date of birth, or death. I know he was a serving soldier during WW1 the Ceylon Police, then employed in the Tea Plantation industry.
Many thanks Anne Wallace
I am trying to find more information about my sister Shirley Reid. Where she was born and the date of her death if she was buried at Kanatte. I know she was born on the 14th April maybe 1939. She died when she was 9 years old and I was born in 1948 one year after she died she died. Also want to find out where she was buried and her middle name.
I have had a look around in the Colombo records for your sister, but was not able to locate a birth entry in the late 1930s for her. There are other Reid births registered during this time but to different parents. As a sanity check I was able to locate your entry in 1948 – parents recorded Allen Egglington Reid and Edna Margaret Frederica de Witt.
As for a death certificate, the General Hospital is in Maradana, but the available records there only go up to 1931. Shirley may have died elsewhere, but Colombo is a big place, so it’s hard to know where to begin to look?
It might be worthwhile contacting the Registrar General’s Department in Colombo to see if they may be able to locate the relevant birth and death for you?
I will have another look around for you when I can.
I am trying to find out if there are any records of Sidney J and Barbara Edwards in the Colombo records? Sidney J. Edwards was an architect, who designed Colombo Town Hall in the 1920s. His wife Barbara Edwards died in Colombo in 1931 and I have no idea what happened to him after she died. The practice he worked for (Edwards Booth and Reid) appears to have continued into the 1940s without him. Can you offer any help?
I have only just discovered this web site while searching for the cemetery where
my grandfather is buried. He is H.H. Reid of Edwards Reid and Begg. My grandfather
was invited by SJ Edwards to join the practise in 1927.
SJ Edwards retired in 1936 and my grandfather died on site in March 1952
I imagine my grandfather would have worshipped at St Andrews but I don’t know
where he is buried. I was a child on my way to Colombo with my parents when he
died. Dad was also an architect set to join him in ER and B.
I’m trying to find the grave of my grandfather Aliean Lugi Bottoni.. most probably perished in the latter year of world war 2. Will I be able to get it from the records at the borella cemetery office wich registers all the burials..
Appreciate a favourable response..
Hi I am trying to locate the grave of Sir John Anderson (my brother in laws great great grandfather) then former governor of Ceylon, he is buried at Borella cemetery and would love to see a photograph of the grave, he died on the 24th March 1918.
Hi Elaine,
I was also looking for the grave of Sir John Anderson. He is my great great grandfather as well. If you ever find it, would you please let me know and I can do the same if I find it.
Thanks!
Hi Darren.
I’m making the Kroons of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) family tree which at the moment, has around 325 entries. I have it up to my great grandfather, Daniel DIdloff Kroon but no information about his siblings or my grandfather’s family. I believe that either he or his father was the original Kroon to come to Sri Lanka from Germany I would appreciate it if you could send me some more information. I know they are originally from Puttalam in Sri Lanka and my dad was born there. Thanks
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for any information on my Grandfather Noel Edmund De Zilva.
He was in the Royal Ceylon Navy. was born in Kurunegala, Sri lanka in 1928 . Died around 1960 or 1961 in Sri Lanka
Had 4 children. Wife’s name Gladys Hope De Zilva. ( maiden name Fernando) . Brothers name Lawrence Benjamin De Zilva.
Hi,
I hope you’re well. I am looking for details for my Uncle who I have been told was buried in the Kanatte cemetery. I was wondering if you have any details of the location please? His name is James Edward Dunleavy and I believe he died in 1973 or 1974.
Any information would be much appreciated please. Many thanks.
I am looking for the records of my maternal grand parents grave(s). Its a double grave i am pretty sure it was in 1937. Aida Adalda Jacobs & Colin Colfred Jacobs (both died in the same year) and buried in the Anglican section at Kanatte. I remember visiting as a child and in later years. but have lost track.
Anne Salvador
I am trying to trace my father’s side. My grandfather was Dr George Arthur Jansen and his wife was Clara Josephine Felsians. They had five children. My father was Eric Vincent Jansen and his DOB was 29th March 1902.
Hi all,
I am in Sri Lanka now 15.10.2023 and trying to get some information on my grandparents who died before i was born. I am heading to colombo tomorrow and want to help if possible with english speaking person to help me obtain a birth, marriage or death certificate especially my grandfather. I have limited information such as date of birth and date of death. Anyone urgently help me would be forever appreciated
Thanks
Sharon
My father Ivor Walter de Alwis was laid to rest on 13 November 1987 buried on 15 November 1987 in the Christian Baptist section, in my grandfather E.Y.S.Premawardhena’s grave died 1st October 1970 (if not mistaken). Kindly let me know if the grave is still in his name or has it been sold to someone else. I have come from abroad and I am interested in visiting the grave. Your urgent response is highly appreciated since I will be leaving soon. Thank you. Panagoda
As of today we have 33,293 births/baptism records, 16,788 marriage records, 32,129 death/burial records and 2351 Ceylon Roll of Honour WW1 Records online.Total records are now 84,561.
I am looking for my Uncle, Gerald Arnold, who was born in the United States and moved to Sri Lanka from Sweden around 1986. If you have any information about him I would be greatly appreciative.
I am looking for records of my grandfather, Donald Forbes, who died in sri Lanka in or about 1941 of peritonitis. He was, I believe, sub inspector of police or ports there. His service was held at st andrews but he was buried elsewhere in Colombo. Any assistance would be appreciated.
I know this is several years on, and I hope you receive this. Donald Forbes was my uncle, my mother’s brother. As you describe your grandfather, it sounds like they are they same person. I have documents pertaining to his death, and can let you know all that I know of him if you can respond to this. Best regards
I need information about My maternal grandfather DMDA Dharmaratne died on 17th August 1936;buried by Paynter mission in Borella Kanatta
ok
HI
I am trying to find more information on my mother Primrose Therese Keig.
Would like to know where she was born and where.
I did send you another email regards my grandparents too but this is in addition.
I know she lived in Colombo before she married my Father but that is all I know.
Hope you can help in ay way.
Thanks
Pam Cramer
Hi Pam,
My ex’s grandmother was a Keig. There’s a Nichola Keig on Facebook who may be able to help you. There are a few others too
As I am coming to Colombo in July, I have a friend who’s grand father is buried in Borella Kanatte Cemetery Colombo. His name is Leopold Alfred Ashley Hayter. I wish to take a photo of his grave. Is there anyway I can have the location beforehand? His grandson lives in Scotland. I don’t have details of his date of birth, or death. I know he was a serving soldier during WW1 the Ceylon Police, then employed in the Tea Plantation industry.
Many thanks Anne Wallace
I am trying to find more information about my sister Shirley Reid. Where she was born and the date of her death if she was buried at Kanatte. I know she was born on the 14th April maybe 1939. She died when she was 9 years old and I was born in 1948 one year after she died she died. Also want to find out where she was buried and her middle name.
Many thanks
Heather Motha
Hi Heather
I have had a look around in the Colombo records for your sister, but was not able to locate a birth entry in the late 1930s for her. There are other Reid births registered during this time but to different parents. As a sanity check I was able to locate your entry in 1948 – parents recorded Allen Egglington Reid and Edna Margaret Frederica de Witt.
As for a death certificate, the General Hospital is in Maradana, but the available records there only go up to 1931. Shirley may have died elsewhere, but Colombo is a big place, so it’s hard to know where to begin to look?
It might be worthwhile contacting the Registrar General’s Department in Colombo to see if they may be able to locate the relevant birth and death for you?
I will have another look around for you when I can.
Regards
Darren
Hi Darren
I am trying to find out if there are any records of Sidney J and Barbara Edwards in the Colombo records? Sidney J. Edwards was an architect, who designed Colombo Town Hall in the 1920s. His wife Barbara Edwards died in Colombo in 1931 and I have no idea what happened to him after she died. The practice he worked for (Edwards Booth and Reid) appears to have continued into the 1940s without him. Can you offer any help?
thank you
I have only just discovered this web site while searching for the cemetery where
my grandfather is buried. He is H.H. Reid of Edwards Reid and Begg. My grandfather
was invited by SJ Edwards to join the practise in 1927.
SJ Edwards retired in 1936 and my grandfather died on site in March 1952
I imagine my grandfather would have worshipped at St Andrews but I don’t know
where he is buried. I was a child on my way to Colombo with my parents when he
died. Dad was also an architect set to join him in ER and B.
I’m trying to find the grave of my grandfather Aliean Lugi Bottoni.. most probably perished in the latter year of world war 2. Will I be able to get it from the records at the borella cemetery office wich registers all the burials..
Appreciate a favourable response..
Hi I am trying to locate the grave of Sir John Anderson (my brother in laws great great grandfather) then former governor of Ceylon, he is buried at Borella cemetery and would love to see a photograph of the grave, he died on the 24th March 1918.
Hi Elaine,
I was also looking for the grave of Sir John Anderson. He is my great great grandfather as well. If you ever find it, would you please let me know and I can do the same if I find it.
Thanks!
Hi Darren.
I’m making the Kroons of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) family tree which at the moment, has around 325 entries. I have it up to my great grandfather, Daniel DIdloff Kroon but no information about his siblings or my grandfather’s family. I believe that either he or his father was the original Kroon to come to Sri Lanka from Germany I would appreciate it if you could send me some more information. I know they are originally from Puttalam in Sri Lanka and my dad was born there. Thanks
Hi Everyone,
I am looking for any information on my Grandfather Noel Edmund De Zilva.
He was in the Royal Ceylon Navy. was born in Kurunegala, Sri lanka in 1928 . Died around 1960 or 1961 in Sri Lanka
Had 4 children. Wife’s name Gladys Hope De Zilva. ( maiden name Fernando) . Brothers name Lawrence Benjamin De Zilva.
Please email me if you have any information
Can you please find grave of my father buried in Kanatte cemetery
John Victor Nugara
Hi Heather,
I’m afraid there is no matching record in our database. Perhaps someone else can offer some assistance or guidance?
Kabristan Web Admin
Hi Do you have records of a death of Nihal Asoka Padmaperuma after November 1993?
Many thanks
I’m afraid we don’t have a matching record for that name.
Looking to obtain death and family records for my grandfather & uncles
Felix Michael Melder died 1962 & sons:
Douglas Melder (possible name change to de Silva)
Sidney Melder
Lucien Aloysius Melder
Hi,
I hope you’re well. I am looking for details for my Uncle who I have been told was buried in the Kanatte cemetery. I was wondering if you have any details of the location please? His name is James Edward Dunleavy and I believe he died in 1973 or 1974.
Any information would be much appreciated please. Many thanks.
Hi Laura,
Apologies for the delay in responding.
I’ve checked our database and I’m afraid we have no corresponding records.
Kind regards,
Simon
Dear Website Administrator
I am looking for the records of my maternal grand parents grave(s). Its a double grave i am pretty sure it was in 1937. Aida Adalda Jacobs & Colin Colfred Jacobs (both died in the same year) and buried in the Anglican section at Kanatte. I remember visiting as a child and in later years. but have lost track.
Anne Salvador
I am trying to trace my father’s side. My grandfather was Dr George Arthur Jansen and his wife was Clara Josephine Felsians. They had five children. My father was Eric Vincent Jansen and his DOB was 29th March 1902.
Hi all,
I am in Sri Lanka now 15.10.2023 and trying to get some information on my grandparents who died before i was born. I am heading to colombo tomorrow and want to help if possible with english speaking person to help me obtain a birth, marriage or death certificate especially my grandfather. I have limited information such as date of birth and date of death. Anyone urgently help me would be forever appreciated
Thanks
Sharon
I AM A RELATION OF JAMES GIBSON FATHER OF MARY FANNY BELL GIBSON (BORN 1889) ANY RELATION OF YOURS?
Best
My father Ivor Walter de Alwis was laid to rest on 13 November 1987 buried on 15 November 1987 in the Christian Baptist section, in my grandfather E.Y.S.Premawardhena’s grave died 1st October 1970 (if not mistaken). Kindly let me know if the grave is still in his name or has it been sold to someone else. I have come from abroad and I am interested in visiting the grave. Your urgent response is highly appreciated since I will be leaving soon. Thank you. Panagoda
Do you have death date of hyacinth perera nee Labrooy died in Sri Lanka in the nineties. Buried in Colombo Kanarese borellla cemetery .born 17/11/1925