The Grave Yard Rabbit Travels Wright

Mark Twain has a new book out!

2010-10-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I went to Elmira, NY to find the house my mother and her family had lived in. While I was there I had to go and see Mark Twain's grave and his home. I always loved Mark Twain's books and I am sure I have read them all, some a couple of times.

I was so happy when I discovered he has a new one out! A hundred years after his death. How could this happen?

The last years of his life he dictated his autobiography. (side note: he had an affair with the lady who took dictation and typed it up, then he fired her) He wanted to be perfectly honest, yet he didn't want to hurt the feelings of anyone. So he requested that it not be published for a hundred years. As one reporter said, "It is the best marketing scheme ever."

I am certain that Twain could not have imagined that thousands of copies would be pre-ordered on line. I can't wait to get my copy!

A note to genealogists: Twain(Clements) has no direct descendants.

A poem of a cemetery spot

2010-09-26T11:16:00.000-07:00

Written by John F. Quinn of Buffalo, New York. Although this is about his auntie it could be about any child.

In a distant cemetery
at the corner of the lot
Lies buried and forgotten,
a little Irish tot.

The site once had a marker
that told a name and date:
Isabell Ryan,
born nineteen eight.

Her father made a cross to show
his little girl his love,
Was Christan born and baptised,
Bless the living God above.

Her family was not well to do
they had no time to choose,
a proper site, she died so fast,
just barely in her twos.

The grave-yard people deemed
the homemade crosses crude,
They tore them down, left Isabel,
in lonely solitude.

It just seems awful tragic
That this little girl should be
away from all the folks she knew,
Her friends and family.

I know she isn't really there
It's just her little bones.
Her soul has traveled far up high
To God's almighty thrones.

And still sometimes I travel there,
Down a dusty road, rutted trail,
There's wild flowers growing around
Birds sing on the rail.

I have a special interest there,
in this story I tell,
For she's my private little Saint,
She's my "Auntie Isabel".

Edith Mae, Hank and Friends Walk Through History

2010-08-05T11:37:00.000-07:00

Edith Mae and Hank are on an adventure. They want to tell the stories of their years traveling to discover American's History. The first story is about all the cemeteries they have explored. They have had so much fun. Hank, of course, loves to run around and between the stones. Sometimes he runs toward cemetery critters such as squirrels, rabbits, and ducks. They scattered fast but he only wants to say "Hi."

Edith Mae got a new dress so they went to Sunnyslope Cemetery today. Nobody seemed to noticed, but then most of our friends are underground.

We can't wait to start giving our presentations, and boy!, do we have stories to tell.

Wish us luck!

From My Family Album. Samuel and Jannie Shockey

2010-07-30T16:04:00.000-07:00

OBITUARY OF JANNIE (ALLEN) SHOCKEY (Taken from the Onaga (Kansas) Herald, Sept. 19, 1940.) Jannie Shockey, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Allen, was born March 1, 1869 in Winnebago Co., Ill. and passed away at her home in Onaga, Kansas, September 9, 1940, at the age of 71 years, 6 months and 8 days. On May 23, 1883, she united in marriage to Samuel T. Shockey, who passed away October 19, 1935. To this union eleven children were born. Surviving are: Allen Shockey, Mrs. Margaret Perrussel, and Mrs. Philena Holmgren of Onaga, KS; Mrs. Elsie Shaw of Irving, KS ; Hattie Perrussel of Fraser, CO; Mrs. Winnie Baughman of Riverdale, CA; and Samuel Shockey, Jr. of Pacific Beach, CA, also those proceeding her in death: George, Mose and John Shockey and Bessie Ramsey. - Since her marriage, Mrs. Shockey lived on a farm near Wheaton, KS for 34 years and then in Winifred, KS for 20 years and spent her last 4 years in Onaga, KS. after her husband's death. - S!he joined the Baptist church in Wheaton, KS at the age of 9 and changed her letter to the Baptist church in Onaga, KS in March 1940. - She leaves to mourn her passing seven children; one brother, Mose Allen of Winner, SD, who has now reached the age of 97 years; two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Brown of Hamilton, KS and Mrs. Charity Connway of Fostoria, KS; 55 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and a number of other relatives and a host of friends, all of whom have loved her dearly. - Mrs. Shockey lived a good Christian life, and before her death, she wrote the testimony that she was ready to leave her home on earth to met her Master. - Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Baptist Church, conducted by Miss Ruth Campbell. Interment was in the Onaga (KS) Cemetery next to her husband, Samuel Shockey.

Tombstone Tuesday, Lucy and Me

2010-07-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

Lucy, the Belguim Shepard to the left, always has to have her nose in everything!! LOL!

This morning we went out on a Find A Grave hunt. We didn't have alot of luck. I have 14 requests and found only 3.

This picture is sending me on another hunt. The grave is for Thomas W. Cook. He died at 30 years old in 1899. I don't know a thing about him. I checked on the regular sites but I guess I need a trip to the library. Lucy won't understand why she can't come with me. After all she found him!

From My Family Album, Fred and Grace Boller

2010-07-24T07:33:00.000-07:00

Buried at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in San Diego are my maternal grandparents. Fred and Grace Boller lived a quiet life. They never spoke to me about their life before they came to California in 1947.

A couple of years ago I went to their hometowns in New York. It was a wonderful experience. I went to the homes that they had lived in. I visited the libraries and researched the newspapers. I was even able to speak to a old timer that remembered my grandfather, although the man, now an old man himself, was a little boy at the time. I visited my grandfather's hardware store in Corning, New York.

They raised four children, had 11 grandchildren, with greats and greatgreats coming along at regular intervals. I hope they are looking down and are proud of us.

Before it was History, it was News

2010-07-21T16:39:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at the Corning Public Library in Corning, New York. It was taped near the microfilm reader.

Newspapers are my favorite research source. You may not be able to find the information you want anywhere else. It is most valuable for cemetery search. I have found the obvious: obituaries and information about the people that died, but there are always many stories about the local cemeteries in town. You can piece the information together to create a great cemetery history.

Jesse Hill, Baseball Coach OBIT. DAY

2010-07-20T18:20:00.000-07:00

JESS HILL, LEGENDARY TROJAN PLAYER, COACH, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, DIES AT 86
09/27/93
Jesse T. Hill, whose career as a player, coach and athletic director at USCspanned six decades, died Aug. 31 in Pasadena. He was 86.Hill was USC's head football coach from 1951 through 1956. His 1952 team providedthe Pacific Coast Conference with its first victory over a Big Ten team in theRose Bowl by beating Wisconsin, 7-0.He became athletic director in 1957 and served until 1972. He then became thefirst commissioner of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association, serving until hisretirement in 1978.During Hill's tenure as athletic director, USC won 29 national championships.As a student athlete, he starred in three sports, earning letters in football(1928-29), track (1927-29) and baseball (1930). He played on Trojan footballteams that won the 1928 national championship and the 1930 Rose Bowl. He was areserve USC fullback in 1928 and 1929 on Howard Jones' famed Thundering Herdteams. He was exceptionally fast and, in 1929, led the conference with an averageof 8.2 yards in his 54 carries.Hill was a long jumper on the track team. He ended his track career in 1929 bywinning the long jump at the IC 4- A meet with a meet-record distance of 25 feetand seven- eighths of an inch.He played on the USC baseball team in 1930 and was the leading batter in theCalifornia Intercollegiate Baseball Association with an average of .389.Graduating cum laude in 1930, he signed a professional baseball contract with theHollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League. In his first at-bat at Wrigley Fieldagainst the Los Angeles Angels, Hill hit a home run.Purchased by the New York Yankees, Hill played for Newark in 1932, St. Paul in1933 and Newark again in 1934 before being called up by the Yankees in 1935.An outfielder, he played in 107 games and batted .293. He was with the WashingtonSenators in 1936, batting .305. Hill played for the Senators and the PhiladelphiaAthletics in 1937. He finished his baseball career with the Oakland Oaks of thePCL in 1938 and 1939.In his off-seasons during his baseball career, Hill began his coaching careerwith stops at Corona High, Riverside Junior College and Long Beach City College.He enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and served until 1946, earning the rank of lieutenant commander.Hill returned to USC in 1946 as freshman football coach and assistant trackcoach. He succeeded the legendary Dean Cromwell as track coach in 1948, guidingthe Trojans to a pair of undefeated seasons and NCAA crowns. He also was USC'strack coach in 1962, following the sudden death of Jess Mortensen, and led theTrojans to a third-place NCAA finish.Hill is survived by a daughter, Mary Bett Carter, and a son, Jess Hill Jr. He had five grandchildren and one great- grandchild.

My note: His death date is left blank, look closely at the picture. It took a while to make sure that he was really under the stone. He was cremated.

Isaac Denton Stockton

2010-07-19T18:17:00.000-07:00

Isaac Denton Stockton is buried in Sunnyslope Cemetery in Corona, CA. If he has any relatives nearby I can’t identify them. On the cemetery records the manner of death is “crushed by a sliding wall of clay” at Filmore, California.
As I researched him I wondered why he was buried in Corona. He didn’t appear in any Corona census. I checked the family trees at all the popular web sites and none of his family names appeared in the Corona cemetery or on the Corona City Federal census. I was very puzzled.
FamilySearch shows him married to Bernice Leola in 1914. His draft registration shows him single, not widowed, in 1917. However, the draft registration gave me the information I wanted: he did live in Corona. He worked for his father on the farm north of Corona center on Harrison Street.
I love to see the description on the draft registrations. Denton, as he was called, was short, had blue eyes, brown hair and was hard of hearing.
I’ll bring you a flower now and again, Denton.

Veteran List and Missing Soldier

2010-07-17T16:38:00.000-07:00

Photo is of missing veteran, Kenneth L. Kimes.

Kathleen, my cemetery friend, and I have identified 366 veterans buried at Sunnyslope. One for each day of the year plus one more. We typed their names into Excel including the war (Civil War to the current war) that they were identified with, the birth and death dates and any special notes. We have checked and rechecked to make sure we got them all. The list was emailed to the local American Legion Post who is named after one of the veterans on the list, Joe Dominquez.

Of course just when you think you have it perfect, another soldier is identified.

I was telling another good friend about the project. She said “You have my dad, of course?” I must have turned a hundred shades of red. I was at her dad’s funeral, I know about him. I saw the flag that draped his coffin. I see it proudly displayed in his daughter’s home. But he wasn’t on any of the other “official” sources we bashed together to compile the list.

Now I keep wondering who else have we missed. I am keeping my ear close to the ground (pun intended) in case I hear of any more missing men or women.

2010-07-12T13:59:00.000-07:00

The 15th annual Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll is underway. Last year our theme was Civil War soldiers. It was such a success we thought that the soldiers theme should be continued. The soldiers we have selected are:

Henry Cunningham, Civil War

Captian Cuthbert Gully, Spanish American and WWI

Elmer Fern Gleason, Spanish American War

Chester Husted, WWI

Hugh Whitcomb, Spanish American War

Willa Mae Capen, WWII

Willard Capen, WWI

I am so anxious to share the information on these people but their stories will be held close to the vest until the date of the Stroll.

The Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls

2010-06-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

The Berachah Industrial Home for the Redemption of Erring Girls sounds ugly, but the cemetery that is connected with this home is in a pretty park, plush green grass and shady trees. The history of the place is a sample of what life could be at the turn of the century.

The cemetery is located on the campus of UTA (University of Texas at Arlington), but is hidden at the north edge of Doug Russell Park. The names that are on the stones are Infant No, 1, Infant No. 2 and so on. There are some stones that list only the first names of the child, George, Emma or Mary. You see, the babies are mostly the result of unwed mothers living at the home. Some graves are of mothers that died in childbirth.

Rev. James Tony Upchurch founded this home to save these wild girls (how about the boys?). He believed that mother and child should not be separated so he saw to it that the girls learned a trade such as sewing or nursing. After they acquired a trade they could leave and start their lives. They could also stay if they wanted as there was plenty to do at the home. The school had 67 acres, 10 buildings, its own hospital, barn and chapel.

According to some documents the girls were happy. They found meaningful work and everyone there understood their circumstances.

After all Berachah is Hebrew for blessing.

Travels to Texas

2010-06-01T13:51:00.000-07:00

Texas is a great place to roam cemeteries: there are so many old ones.

Today I went to see the Smithfield Cemetery, North Richland Hills, Texas. Judy from Cemeteries with Texas Ties wrote a story about it a year ago. She did all the research and I just had to visit. There are many interesting graves as these pictures show.

The one on the left is handpainted. Beautiful job. The chickens appear to be folk art, cut out of wood and tole-painted. These are for two different families. What do they mean? Did the people like pigs and chickens? Or were they farmers? Or it has a meaning that only the families knows.

The Rabbit Travels

2010-05-09T16:03:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was able to share stories from my blog with the Pomona Valley Genealogy Society. Here I am as the Graveyard Rabbit, walking stick and all. I love to talk about these stories and you know that there is a small group that really likes graveyards...and it is any group of genealogists. They know history is worth repeating. As I do this I hope I am raising awarness that there are many cemeteries that need our help to keep all those ancestors that have passed before us alive in our hearts.

Abel White, Found!

2010-05-05T19:14:00.000-07:00

I found Abel White about 20 years ago. He is my husband's 3rd great grandfather.
The search continues. Last time I was in SLC I decided to start from scratch and look for him as though I didn’t have a thing on him. The first place I looked was deeds, at the insistence of the friend I was with. I couldn’t believe what I found. I found a document that deeded land from his property for a family cemetery.

On the first part of the document he asked to have a “suitable tombstone to mark my grave after my demise” Then this description of the property is given.
"The following describes parcel of land situated in said County of Franklin and state of Indiana designated by a line drawn from the north west corner of section twenty four of town nine of range two west as established by James N. Clements. Commencing at said corner aforesaid and running east on the north line of said quarter twenty five five rods thence south twenty eight rods to a stone thence west four rods to a stone, and thence north four rods to the first stone (can’t read) corner stone: said above described parcel of land to be held in trust by said Board of Commissioners of Franklin County as a Private Cemetery for the use and interment of the family of the said Abel White"
Signed October 10, 1855

I continued to look but in my heart I knew I needed to make some phone calls. As soon as I got home I did call a few places in Indiana but to no avail. I put the project on the top shelf then continued to other research projects.

A week ago I suddenly had the thought that I had to work on g-g-g-grandpa White. I called the deed office in Franklin Co., Indiana. The lady couldn’t help but offered to give me the name and number of the Historic Society. I called and spoke to this wonderful man that was happy I called. He is also on the Cemetery Commission and one of their projects was to restore the White Cemetery! Talk about being excited. I wanted to act professional and proper but it was hard to resist jumping up and down and calling out many loud cheers.

During the exchange of several emails I learned that the land is currently owned by a man that had bought the land just to use for deer hunting. He had given permission to the Commission to restore the cemetery. I have thought about this so much. Abel White owned many, many acres in his time and that land was used as a family farm and as commodity. To him this was his land and his children’s future. He probably couldn’t imagine a future time that it wasn’t important to someone’s very existence. Can you imagine the difference between what the land means to us in 2010 and what they thought about it in 1855? I always thought that he worked hard to make all the land a prosperous farm. It never occurred to me that he might have used a portion of it to hunt deer too.

Of course he must have thought that the land would always be in his family since he wanted the family cemetery to be there. Forever.

When I got the picture of Abel’s grave from my new friend in Indiana I was beyond thrilled!! I am sure I research family history just as an excuse to find cemeteries.

I still have not been able to find his parents, but I found his grave.

Lincoln Park Cemetery

2010-04-10T20:42:00.000-07:00

There are 10,000 bodies buried under Lincoln Park in Chicago. They have been forgotten for many decades. Perhaps one of us is looking for an ancestor that died in Chicago. This story will deepen the mystery if it doesn’t clear it up.

It is no secret that Lincoln Park was once a cemetery. It began as a cemetery for cholera victims in 1877 because it was considered to be a safe distance from town. There are also 4,000 confederate soldiers that died at Camp Douglas, a POW camp, from awful conditions.

Soon there was a Catholic cemetery, a Jewish cemetery, a pauper cemetery as well as The City Cemetery. At its height there may have been 35,000 graves. Then the Chicago Fire came through and destroyed markers. The official story is that the fire was responsible for graves that were left behind and not reinterred when others were moved to make way for the new park.

Often bones are discovered when routine work is done on the Park or on nearby homes. Most recently (Feb 2010) while a 19th century townhouse was under construction bones were found under a concrete basement floor. They were believed to be from the Old Catholic cemetery. At the same site bones were found in 1947. The Catholic cemetery was sold off in separate lots and sales in the late 1800s.

A terrific researcher named Pamela Bannos has spent an enormous amount of time collecting information to verify, identify and document anything and everything about Lincoln Park’s former identity. Her web site, Hidden Truths, gives any researcher many hours of pleasure digging through all the information she has been able to collect. She provides images of her research and encourages the reader to follow her on her journey of discovering the “Hidden Truths.”

Note: The image above is from Weird Chicago. The tomb is that of Ira Couch.

Maple Grove Cemetery, Valley Center, Kansas

2010-04-10T17:24:00.000-07:00

A while ago I wrote about a cemetery I found in Kansas. I still wonder about it often. I was happy to discover that others are concerned about this graveyard as well. I found a recent article on the internet today, thanks to my sister in law, Susan Follis.
Maple Grove Cemetery in Valley Center, Kansas might just get some attention. It appears from this story that there really are many people buried there without a marker. I am always touched when I discover that a grave is stone-less.
It illustrates that we should never give up when we are looking for our ancestors because maybe some other good soul might discover their final resting place and write about it, list it, log it and place it on Find A Grave or another spot where it can be found again.

The Mystery of the Irish at Duffy’s Cut

2010-03-17T01:00:00.000-07:00

The 175-year-old mystery of Irish Catholic railroad workers may now be solved after a team led by brothers Dr. William and Frank Watson, has been found.

The labourers arrived in Pennsylvania in June 1832 to construct the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad but six weeks later all had died and were buried without ceremony in a ditch. The deaths were orginally covered up, then later said that the men perished in a cholera epidemic. There are also theories that they were murdered by anti-Irish vigilantes. If the deaths were murder, then it will become a crime scene, even after all these years.

The Watson brothers think they have found the spot of the grave. A marker was put up in 2004, but the actual site was not known at that time. They are finding many personal items such as buttons, pipes, cooking utensils as well as bones, at a site nearby.

There is so much to be done in this discovery but funding is a issue.

There are many articles on line about Duffy’s Cut, a book, and videos. Here is one to entice you. Duffy's Cut

Are one of these men the relative you have been searching for?

Jennie Wade for Tombstone Tuesday

2010-03-09T06:02:00.000-08:00

Jennie Wade, Gettysburg, PA She was the first person killed in the Battle. She was in her sister's kitchen baking bread for the Union troops when a stray bullet came through the door and shot her in the back.

Ocie Taylor Songer

2010-03-07T10:35:00.000-08:00

Ocie Taylor Songer was in town recently. She told The Corona Historic Preservation Society about her experiences in early Corona. She arrived is 1896, the very begining of this little hamlet. Her father was the offical founder. She lived here until her death in 1971, at age 94. Of course she had some tales to tell. She knew all the early residents as well as many that came later to make their mark on Corona.

Ocie was portrayed by...moi, me and myself. I enjoyed it so much. Ocie left all her scrapbooks, the family bible, family papers and documents to the public library. At the Heritage Room the documents are in a special collection that can be browse through. It was such a pleasure to be able to tell her story and know that everything was as she saw it, because the information all came from her own pen.

When I visit her grave Ialways tell her that I hope she is pleased with me for keeping her alive in Corona. She did so much in the way of writing Corona's history as it took place. I want to keep it going.

One thing she said in a letter (written in her hand) was that "the older ones are going and the young ones don't care about Corona's story."

I always think that whatever I say about Corona is also the story of every town in America. The faces and names are changed but the stories are alike.

The news of yesterday is the history of today.

Warkintin Family in Newton, KS for Tombstone Tuesday

2010-03-02T07:59:00.000-08:00

In Newton, Kansas there is a beautiful Victorian home, complete with much orginal furnishings. It offers tours and tells the history of the Warkentine Family and their connection to Newton. This home is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Bernard Warkintine was responsible for the Turkey red hard winter wheat that Kansas is famous for. He had many interests in Kansas and Oklahoma. He died of an accidental gunshot wound while he was in the Holy Land in 1908. His wife Wilhelmina contined to live in the home until her death in 1932.

The grave is located in Greenwood Cemetery, about four miles from the home. I peeked inside the tomb. There looks to be four marble crypts, and a lovely stained glass window. Although it was snowing and cold the day I was there. the sun shined through the glass giving the tomb a very church like atmosphere, which I am sure the Warkentins would like.

Good Graveyard Reading

2010-02-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

I just read the best books by Sarah Stewart Taylor. These stories are about a college professor whose speciality is gravestones, cemetery art and mourning jewelery.
Sweeney St. George, the red headed professor always ends up around a murder mystery that she solves, of course, and along the way teaches the reader about cemeteries.
What's not to love?

Maple Grove Cemetery, Valley Center, KS

2010-02-24T18:01:00.000-08:00

It was freezing cold the day we saw this cemetery from the freeway and made a U turn to get to the gate. It is located Hwy I35, and 85th North. I was afraid the gate was locked, not that it would have stopped me, but Hubby yelled out the window "It is not locked, don't hop over it." Sure enough it was open so I went in and dashed around taking pictures of each grave.

When we got back to my sister's house we told her about the cemetery we "discovered." She told us that they no longer use it because everytime they would try to dig a new grave, somebody would already have it occupied. And there would not be a marker. The locals think what happened was during The Depression people would be buried there and there was no money for a marker. There is a cemetery map but many, many people are not on the map either. So they just gave up burying people there. I couldn't find independent confirmation of this story.

And genealogists wonder why they can't find their ancestors gravesite!!

You can find it transcribed at http://genealogytrails.com/kan/sedgwick/hostmapelcemetery.html

What a difference the years make!

2010-02-23T14:22:00.000-08:00

Grave of Joe Dalcamo, 1909-1922

Sunnyslope Cemetery, Corona, CA

Photo on the left was taken 2010 by Diane S. Wright.

Photo on the right is courtesy of Corona Public Library, taken in 1922

The angel is not longer crowning the stone, but the rest of the family fills the family plot.

Hotel Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas

2010-02-19T14:39:00.001-08:00

Texas Historical Lanmark 1984

This cemetery is in a hotel parking lot. There are hedges around the cemetery and it is very pretty and well kept.

In 1861, Benjamin Patton Ayres (1801? - 1862) and his wife Emily (1811? - 1863) bought a 320-acre farm and set aside two acres on a hillside as a family cemetery. Ayres served as the second District Clerk of Tarrant County and helped organize the Fort Worth First Christian Church.
An unknown number of plots lie outside the fenced family plot. They include victims of spring fevers and frequent Trinity River floods. None of their fieldstones have survived.
NOTABLE BURIALS - William Alfred Sanderson - A native of England, Sanderson came to Texas in 1841. He obtained a Republic of Texas land grant and settled in Tarrant County with his wife, the former Isabella Frances Ayres. He soon established himself as a farmer and stock raiser. He was a charter member of the Fort Worth First Christian Church and Justice of the Peace and played a role in the relocation of the Tarrant County seat from Birdville to Fort Worth.

New Trinity Cemetery, Fort Worth, Texas

2010-02-19T14:19:00.000-08:00

New Trinity Cemetery, Fort Worth Texas. This is a all black cemetery. It is not vandelized but neglected. When I got back to my computer I found Cemeteries of Tarrant County. This cemetery needs to be transcribed. Oh I wish I could stay here longer, I would love to do it. But I am on my way to Kansas tomorrow. There are so many neat cemeteries nearby to where I am staying.

Irish Gravestone for Tombstone Tuesday

2010-02-16T19:14:00.000-08:00

Photo by Jerry from the Corona Genealogy Society.

I just love it when someone sends me a really interesting grave picture! Thank You, my friend.

And my new research assistant is...........

2010-02-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

Just for fun, I tried some "wingding" research ideas. Before you say I don't have enough to do with my time look at this.

On ebay is a picture of Daniel W. Schmidt of Newton, Harvey County, Kansas. (2 pictures for sale for $30.00) On Find a Grave is the picture of his grave at Grace Hill Mennoite Church.

Just putting pieces together.

My new research assistant is....ebay!

Tombstone Tuesday, Archibald Brownlee

2010-02-09T12:37:00.000-08:00

Archibald Brownlee was born 12 Jan 1795 and died 10 Sept 1853.

Archibald, son of Thomas and Martha (Shearer) Brownlee, was born on the farm in Buffalo township, Washington county. He was one of the first Abolitionists, and took an active part in smuggling slaves, being interested in the underground railway, which was made to assist the fugitive negro in escaping to Canada.

He is buried in the South Buffalo Cemetery in Washington, PA.

Tombstone Tuesday, Amos Walton

2010-02-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

Amos Walton (1750-1827) is buried at the North Ten Mile Cemetery in Washington, PA. He is buried in an old section behind the Baptist Church.

He served in the Revoultionary War in Capt. Abner Howell's Mitilia. He also did frequent tours with the Frontier Rangers.

Critters at the Cemetery

2010-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, CN, Oct 2009

1930 Census Taker, Bessie Hough

2010-01-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

I had a great time portraying Bessie Hough at Questing Heirs of Long Beach. Bessie was one of the 87,800 enumerators for 1930 in the United States. I walked her district, visited her house and found her grave.

I almost feel as though I took the census with her.

Bessie shared her experiences of taking the 1930 census in Corona, Ca. She tells us about the enumerator instructions and about the people she spoke to as she walked her assigned district. Bessie is a little bit of a gossip too.

She is my most popular character. I love to be her. I hope she is looking down and is happy that she is remembered.

Following Her Footsteps

2010-01-12T08:39:00.000-08:00

The picture is of a rock with Indian writing called "Painted Rock". It was moved for a railroad track.

I didn't know hiking for history could be so much fun. Hey, did I coin a new phrase? "Hiking for History," sounds good.

Since the Janet Gould dedication we decided to make it Janet's Week. We followed her footsteps around Corona.

Kathleen wrote this up about our adventures:

"Diane Wright and I spent a wonderful three days hiking looking for all of the monuments in the Temescal Valley. We now know that three of them no longer exist. After being unsuccessful in our quest to find them, we went to the Corona Library's Heritage Room and listened to Janet Gould's tapes. It was exciting to hear her voice again. According to Gould, Carved Rock had been vandalized and carried away in pieces by the early 1960s. We found evidence that the other "missing" monuments were no longer standing as well. The Butterfield Stage Marker is on a rock as it was originally but no longer says that it is a State Marker. Perhaps when it was rededicated and moved to Dos Lagos it no longer qualified."

This is my personal dilemma: Janet has a very simply stone in the cemetery and she really gave alot to Corona, then there is another person, whom I will not name yet, who has a large nice stone and I can't find much about the life this person lived. If I were to give a speech tomorrow on cemetery ideas, one would be not to judge the man or women by the size of his gravestone.

DAR Dedication for Janet Gould

2010-01-07T15:25:00.000-08:00

Janet Gould was honored yesterday for her work in the Auranta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She died in 1964 after doing much historic work for Southern California. She was the first in Corona to recognize that local historic sites need to be marked. She was the driving force behind placing several monuments around the city of Corona. She loved to wear dangly earrings and multitudinous braclets which make a tinkling sound when she moved her hands. She lectured about events that took place in Corona and Southern California.
Several ladies of the DAR came dressed in colonial clothing to place a DAR marker on her grave. The caretaker cleaned and shined her stone as well as that of her husband and son. A ceremonial prayer was said as the marker was dedicated.
DAR Chaplain, Diane Stephens, spoke about the life of Janet and her love of history, genealogy and of teaching others of importance of the past.
A story in the Golden Jubliee Edition of the local paper on April 27, 1936 sums it up well. “Author, lecturer, researcher, into early Californiana, Janet Williams Gould of this city (Corona) has devoted many years to the absorbing study of Southern California with the result that she is considered an outstanding authority. Tireless in her search for factual information about the early days, she has been recognized by the Southern California Historical Society as one of its most interested members.”
It was a honor to pay tribute to this charming lady who was known as Corona’s “Duchess.”
To read more of her life go to the Corona Genealogy Society www.coronagensoc.org/sunnyslope.html and read about her as she was portrayed at a Cemetery Stroll.

Janet Gould, DAR Marker Dedication

2009-12-27T07:53:00.001-08:00

This very unassuming stone belongs to Janet Williams Gould. If you walk past it at the cemetery it is just one of many graves, row after row. Under the ground rest a lady that is one of us. A historian, a researcher, and a genealogist.
Janet Gould was known as the “Duchess” in Corona. She came from an old eastern family who were prominent in Missouri’s history. She continued the history when she came to Corona as Mrs. Walter Dean in 1910. Mr. Dean died in the flu epidemic in 1918. Janet remarried to Chester Gould.
The Duchess did many years of research into the history of the area which is now Corona, CA. She studied the Luiseno Indians who first inhabitated the land. She marked historical events and drew attention to the landmarks. She spoke at many groups in Southern California. She wrote plays and articles for newspapers. When she passed away she donated her many years of work to the Corona Public Library. It is called The Janet Williams Gould Early California Collection. The scope of the collection is amazing.
She joined the Daughters of the American Revolution on January 6, 1903 in Missouri and continued her activity in the Aurantia Chapter when she moved to Corona.
On January 6, 2010 the Aurantia Chapter of the DAR will be marking her grave at 2:00 in the afternoon at Sunnyslope Cemetery. All members will be dressed in Colonial clothes to proudly honor this remarkable woman.

Final Resting Place

2009-12-19T16:56:00.000-08:00

Henry Harrison Anderson died on the morning of his 52nd birthday at his home is Corona, which at the time was called South Riverside. It was January 20th, 1892. According to the obituary, “The service at the church being finished the casket was taken to the carriage and the funeral procession quietly formed and proceeded to the ten acre orange grove on Main Street owned by Mr. Anderson and there his body was deposited for the present until the new cemetery is laid out.”

The old cemetery had flooded so the people that died between cemeteries were buried wherever it was convenient. Many were reburied in the new cemetery as soon as possible. However Mr. Anderson seemed to be missing. Just before Memorial Day following his death there is a column in the paper that reads “After the services at the church the comrades will form a line and with the children and friends will proceed to the grave of Comrade Anderson and decorate it with flowers.”

From this it appears he wasn’t yet moved to the cemetery. I also could not find him anywhere else. Every time I passed the ten acre lot that he once owned I wondered if he got left there. I conjured up all sorts of scenarios. In the old handwritten log of residents at the cemetery there is one Anderson, a common name to be sure, with no first name, no death date, but the comment “removed to LA.” Could this be Henry H. Anderson? It does seem that he was moved to the cemetery and again from the cemetery.

In the course of another long search, conducted by Glen Roosevelt, who seems to always find his man, he was finally found in Los Angeles at Rosedale Cemetery along with his family. (The photo above was taken by Glen Roosevelt)

He was buried three times that I know of. In 1907 he went to his Final Resting Place.

Mary Nasson...York, Maine

2009-12-15T09:40:00.000-08:00

Her Epitaph

Here liest quite free from Lifes Distrefsing Care, A loving Wife A tender Parent dear Cut down in midst of days As you may see But - stop - my Grief I soon shall equal be when death shall stop my breath And end my Time God grant my Dust May mingle, then, with thine.
Sacred to the memory of Mrs. MARY NASSON, wife of Mr. SAMUEL NASSON, who departed this life Aug. 18th 1774, AEtat 29.

On a town corner in York, Maine is an ancient cemetery which simply beacons you in. I had a great desire to stand at each stone for several minutes and imagine what their life might have been like.
One grave is beautiful, but has been clouded with a terrible rumor. The grave of Mary Nasson is said to be haunted and that Mary was a witch. She was not a witch; she was a lovely lady whose family loved her very much. The rumor of her being a witch was thought to be started in order to bring tourists to York, Maine. Her grave is covered with “wolf stones” which is said to have been placed to keep her body from rising up and roaming the town. In actualilty wolf stones were probably placed on most of the graves in the Old Burying Ground at one time. A wolf stone is a large flat slab placed over the body between the head and foot stones to keep animals from digging at the graves. The term comes from Europe where they were used to keep the most common animal, wolves, from disturbing the graves.
Her husband must have loved her so much. The carving on her stone is of a beautiful woman, the folds of her dress form wings on her arms. Her husband placed the wolf stones on her grave because he was moving to Sanford, ME and couldn’t care for her grave. He wanted it to be protected forever.

14th Annuel Cemetery Stroll

2009-10-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

Our 14th Cemetery Stroll is just a week away. We have had so many themes is the past. We portrayed people who lived on Grand Blvd. , shop keepers, churches in early Corona, and early trustees of the cemetery to name a few. This year we are portraying Civil War soldiers that are buried in Sunnyslope. Surprisingly some are from California.
Most people do not associate California with the Civil War, but the state played a very important part. Some regiments were assigned to protect the Overland Mail routes. Other regiments got gold to the East to keep the Union effort going.
Researching for the Stroll uses every genealogy skill I ever learned. From pouring through newspapers, searching census records, ordering military papers to interviewing knowledgeable people that can provide information to add life to the research. The history of our ancestors and our town can often be found in the cemeteries!

I have had so much fun with the research. Also I bought a real mourning bonnet from the civil war period, made a crocheted black purse and shawl that is period authentic. I can't wait to wear them.

If anyone is near Corona, California please come.
Information about citizens from past strolls can be found athttp://www.coronagensoc.org/sunnyslope.html

Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll

2009-10-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

Our 14th Cemetery Stroll is just a week away. We have had so many themes is the past. We portrayed people who lived on Grand Blvd. , shop keepers, churches in early Corona, and early trustees of the cemetery to name a few. This year we are portraying Civil War soldiers that are buried in Sunnyslope. Surprisingly some are from California.Most people do not associate California with the Civil War, but the state played a very important part. Some regiments were assigned to protect the Overland Mail routes. Other regiments got gold to the East to keep the Union effort going.Researching for the Stroll uses every genealogy skill I ever learned. From pouring through newspapers, searching census records, ordering military papers to interviewing knowledgeable people that can provide information to add life to the research. The history of our ancestors and our town can often be found in the cemeteries!
I have had so much fun with the research. Also I bought a real mourning bonnet from the civil war period, made a crocheted black purse and shawl that is period authentic. I can't wait to wear them.
If anyone is near Corona, California please come.Information about citizens from past strolls can be found at http://www.coronagensoc.org/sunnyslope.html

For Dog Lovers Only

2009-10-15T14:00:00.001-07:00

At Green Mount Cemetery in Monpelier, Vt I found Ned the Dog. Ned was the only child of Fred and Hattie Stevens. He lived from 1875-1894. Ned was a lovely Spaniel.

Although it is now illegal to bury a dog in a people cemetery at one time it was not. My daughter in law did a research paper on War Dogs and found many buried with their masters.

Travel Log: Bennington, Vermont

2009-10-06T17:01:00.000-07:00

More Smiley Faces!!!

Just love these faces. I read a story, although not at this cemetery, once about two engravers who engraved the faces determined on bets if the person was going to heaven or hell. Now I can never see a face without thinking of that. This was a great cemetery. The Old Church was opened with visitor guides, postcards and pamplets. That is what I call a perfect cemetery. There are many Revolutionary War soldiers, town founders, POWs, and Robert Frost are all buried there.

Travel Log: York Village Burying Ground, York, Maine

2009-10-04T18:10:00.000-07:00

The best graveyard. Old stones. Interesting stones. Ancient stones. You could get a collection of "smily faces" from this grave yard.

The Gravelly Graveyard

2009-10-02T06:43:00.000-07:00

The Gravelly Graveyard, also known as The Old Wooley Cemetery,or the Metedeconk Burying Ground is a 100 x 100 lot according to the sign posted before you get to the cemetery. I want to call it sweet, although that is not a good description of a cemetery. It is surrounded by a white picket fence. There is a gate that seems to welcome you in. You can read a marker that lists all the residents of the cemetery that can be identified. This is the oldest cemetery in Brick, New Jersey.

My brother in law told me that the local story is the first person buried there was a man that was found washed up on the river bank and his pockets were very heavy with gravel. They didn’t know who he was so they buried him right there where he was found. It was not meant to be a cemetery at first but about 75 people are buried there.

It is listed on Find A Grave ,Interment.com and http://usgwtombstones.org.

Travel Log: Greenwood Cemetery, Gettysburg, PA

2009-10-01T07:45:00.000-07:00

Gettysburg was wonderful. Very interesting. But I was most fascinated with the cemetery next to the Military Cemetery. It is called Greenwood and it was started in 1854, several years before the Civil War. The Thorn family were the caretakers and they lived in this house pictured. Peter Thorn signed up for the Civil War and went away to fight, leaving his very pregnant wife to take care of the cemetery. Little did they know the biggest battle was going to take place right near their own home. Elizabeth Thorn, her little son and elderly father were left to bury the soldiers that were dying by the hundreds.

Travel Log: Portageville Old Catholic Cemetery

2009-09-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Portageville, New York is where my great grandparents lived. This is the original Church of the Assumption Catholic Cemetery, now known as the Old Catholic Cemetery. The last time it was used was in 1903. The transcription done in the 1930s comments that it is a well tended cemetery. Now it is marked with stone leaning this way and that. Many are buried half in the earth. Many are toppled with inscriptions that face the ground.

This is the one cemetery I would be willing to restore if I was young and strong. I feel as though I know some of the people because I have read the church records and census so many times. I am pretty sure that my Great and GGreat Grandparents knew many of these people.

The cemetery is in a hollow. It goes down hill toward a forest of trees and appears dark because of the trees. It definitely could be in a picture representing a spooky story.

Hubby gave me a split second to run around and take pictures. I took a picture of every stone that was readable while the wind blew and the rain started. I will be posting them to Find A Grave later.

Boys will be boys, even at the cemetery

2009-09-15T18:33:00.000-07:00

In the 1950s boys were not playing video or computers games on a nice sunny day, or even an awful winter day, they were playing in the cemetery. What better place to run and hide, to taunt and tease and to tell secrets. But most of all to scare each other!

A crowd of boys in Johnstown, Pa always knew where to find one another….it would be at the cemetery. This was a very old one, especially to 10 year old boys. Very old, therefore the most scary. The stones marking the dead ones are all catawampus, many are very low in the ground, some are tumbled over, probably many are hidden underground along with the bodies.
There was a flood here in 1889, a very big flood, one that every school child knew about. It was at this cemetery that the landscape was washed over. This is at Sandyvale Cemetery, where many cemetery residents were also victims of the great flood.

From the Sandyvale Cemetery website the history is briefly told:

"Sandyvale is a pioneer cemetery that was developed by the Horner family and used by many first families when the City of Johnstown, Pennsylvania was established in 1800. The veteran's graves date from the Revolutionary War through World War II. Sandyvale has been a part of the fabric of the City and region for over two centuries. In the early years it provided a gathering place for many community civic and social events. It was a beautiful green spot in the pioneer days but with the industrial era and the development of the steel mills and plants and the birth of the railroad access to this industry, it came to be an area that was isolated and forgotten, sustaining extensive flood damage and neglect for many years."

This group of boys made memories here, ones that are remembered 60 years later and have been retold many times.

When new kids came to town they would be enticed to join the gang at the local cemetery. There they would be told ghost stories, chased and de-pantsed, Yes ...de-pantsed (is that a word?). As the new kids would be running someone would surely pull off their pants, toss the pants high into a tree, perhaps not to be found again. After all the scary stories, the new kid might not want to look for them.

The poor child would be left to either search for his pants or run home with no pants on. Once a kid had his pants torn off and he had no underwear on!!!

I learned of this story from a John, a man that I met at jury duty. When he was a kid the cemetery was neglected. Researching the cemetery today indicates that there are some great plans to make it a beautiful place!!

We Are The Chosen

2009-09-06T21:20:00.000-07:00

My co-grandma sent this to me. I haven't seen it before but

I think it is beautiful and perfect.

We Are The Chosen

We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to

find the ancestors.

To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell
the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve.

Doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead,

breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the storytellers

of the tribe. All tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes.

Those who have gone before cry out to us, "Tell our story!" So, we do.

In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood
before now and cried? I have lost count. How many times have I told the
ancestors, "You have a wonderful family; you would be proud of us."

How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there

was love there for me?
I cannot say.

It goes beyond just documenting facts. I goes to who am I and why do I

do the things I do. It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be lost

forever to weeds and indifference and saying,

"I can't let this happen." The bones here are bones of my bone

and flesh of my flesh. It goes to doing something about
it. It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish, how
they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their

hardships and losses, their never giving in or up, their resoluteness to go on and
build a life for their family.

It goes to deep pride that the fathers fought and some died to make and keep
us a Nation. It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were
doing it for us. It is of equal pride and love that our mothers struggled to
give us birth. Without them we could not exist, and so we love each one, as
far back as we can reach. That we might be born who we are. That we might
remember them. So we do.

With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence because we
are they and they are the sum of who we are. So, as a scribe called, I tell
the story of my family. It is up to that one called in the next generation to
answer the call and take my place in the long line of family storytellers.
That is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and
old to step up and restore the memory or greet those whom we have

never known before.

Author Unknown

Biking to the Cemetery

2009-09-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Today my husband rode his bike from our house in Corona to the Riverside National Cemetery. He said it was about 35 miles. There are lots of ups and downs on the road to get there.

It is funny that I keep coming across some type of transportation in cemeteries. On Friday a friend and I went to search some cemeteries around the Inland Empire. One of the workers told us that a fellow was buried with his motorcycle. The bike was set in the ground as though he would just get on it and ride. He took us over to the grave and it looked ordinary from the top. He told us that when he had to dig a grave nearby parts of the bike was rusty and fell into the next spot.

Not too long ago I found a interesting postcard with a car in the cemetery. http://travelswright.blogspot.com/2009/06/kansas-rabbit.html

I have also seen tombstones with motorcycles engraved in them. In San Diego there is one with airplanes on it.

I have also seen pictures of a horse drawn buggy bringing the person in to the cemetery.

This is becoming a theme.

People at the Cemetery

2009-08-27T07:11:00.000-07:00

A cemetery with live people! There must be a story here. This is a private postcard, not a clue as to where. From the clothing it must be at the turn of the 1900s. Can anyone create a short story to go with this?

SEE THAT MY GRAVE'S KEPT GREEN

2009-08-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

When I'm dead and gone from you darling, When I'm laid away in my grave, When my spirit has gone to heaven above, To him who my soul will save; When you are happy and gay once more, Thinking of days that have been; This one little wish I ask of you, See that my grave's kept green. Oh, the days will come to you darling, When on earth no more I'll be seen; One sweet little wish darling grant me, See that my grave's kept green.

Cemetery for Sale on EBay

2009-08-14T13:25:00.000-07:00

Ebay item

The cemetery is registered as “Old Green River Union Cemetery”, but is known locally as the Woodsonville Cemetery. The cemetery is included in the deed with the other property. The buyer will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the cemetery. It has always been understood that any resident of Woodsonville would be allowed to be buried free of charge. The cemetery is basically full; there is room for the few people who have made prior arrangements with us. The buyer must be willing to agree to allow those individuals to be buried free of charge.

At the entrance to the cemetery are a set of old church steps. This is the location where John Hunt Morgan was sworn in. See the following website for more information: http://www.lexingtonrifles.com/1857-61.htm

Note from Diane: I am Wordless.

Tombstone Tuesday

2009-08-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

Florence, Arizona

Cemetery Kit---NOT

2009-08-11T08:13:00.000-07:00

Photo: Florence, Arizona. Looking at the grave of Margaret Truman, born and died 1900. Butte View Cemetery

I did it all wrong.

I am always talking about the cemetery kit. What should be in it to keep you safe and to make the best use of your time at an unfamiliar cemetery. But this one day, on a quick turn-around trip with a friend to Arizona, I had nothing with me but a water bottle, camera, and three friends. At least there was four of us in case anything happened and each of us had a cell phone.

There is no excuse for a Rabbit to be so unprepared. So I offer none. However, I learned a lesson. No matter where I am going I will bring my kit with me. There will always be a cemetery somewhere on the trip. (Note: Also look at the Graveyard Rabbit July Newsletter for kit information.)

Here is The Wright Kit
Hat
First aid kit, sunscreen
Water (to bring out the inscription) Dirt also works great, just rub it in. (Tip from Monica)
Towel (To sit on, to wipe off, to swat)
Soft brush
Cardboard (to shade from the sun)
Mirror or foil (to reflect the sun) Jean Hibben uses a cheap cookie sheet.
Bag for trash (make it better than when you arrived)
Clipboard/paper/pencil (to remember)
Camera
Old credit card (world’s best scrapper)
Hiking stick (to keep balanced, to push away branches, to poke at the ground)
Scissors (to trim grass)
Cell phone

Another confession: I had on sandels and a black short sleeve tshirt. But it was 115 degrees, I should have been naked! (Seriously, wear a long sleeve shirt and sturdy shoes)

I am happy to report that there is a Historical Cemetery Project to get this historic cemetery cleaned up.

Devils Diciples

2009-08-07T13:08:00.000-07:00

As I took this picture it was 115 degrees in Coolidge, Arizona. Would it be reasonable to say that this is a good place for these guys to be buried?

Ebay and Cemeteries

2009-08-02T09:40:00.001-07:00

I found this on Ebay this morning. Isn't it pretty? Does anyone want to adopt it?
http://cgi.ebay.com/1913-Baltimore-MD-Loudon-Park-Cemetery-Company-Deed_W0QQitemZ360174983270QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?hash=item53dc1a1866&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

Cemeteries and Me!

2009-07-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

..............And a note from my genie society..............

Greetings members and friends of the Corona Genealogical Society. Hard to believe that July is almost over! The first Monday of August is just a few days away, meaning that we are about to join together, again, to learn about researching our ancestors and discovering more about our family history. This coming Monday, 3 August, we will be hearing from our own Diane S. Wright, who has a rather extreme love of cemeteries, as you may well know. She has walked across cemeteries from one side of this country to the other! Her appreciation and respect for the graveyards is something I am very impressed with. Her program for us this time is titled "The Armchair Tombstone." I know that she will be giving us some valuable information about researching in graveyards, but I quite suspect we will have a few laughs along the way! Bring your friends to share in this unique "cemetery visit"!

Lucy and the Ghost

2009-07-29T19:23:00.000-07:00

The mailman delivered the military records for Joshua Countryman the other day. I was so excited that I got Lucy in the car and off we went to Sunnyslope Cemetery. She always goes with me on short rides. We went to Sunnyslope so I could talk with Joshua. I hoped maybe he would give me some inspiration on what to write about him for the upcoming Stroll.

Hank, my beloved boxer, use to go with me but after he passed away the torch went to Lucy. As she jumped out of my blue Volkswagen Beetle she ran right pass Joshua and went to the grave of Andrew Wheaton. She sat down, looking very alert and would NOT leave. Of course I could not get her to tell me what was going on. She looked at me like I was the one that didn’t understand. The dog can’t talk to me and the dead won’t talk to me. What is a girl to do?

After we got home I did some more research on Andrew Wheaton. He is a soldier that needs his story told! He was wounded in the second day of the battle at Gettysburg, the bloodiest battle of the Civil War. Since he was hospitalized in one of the many makeshift hospitals around Gettysburg, it is possible that he was there for Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.

Oh! what Andrew could tell us.

Thanks Lucy.

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2009-07-22T17:30:00.000-07:00

Fort Leavenworth is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The cemetery was established in 1827 due to the deaths of the soldiers who died of maleria and other deseases while assigned to Cantonment Leavenworth. It was declared a National Cemetery by Abraham Lincoln in 1862.
Buried there are seven Confederate prisoners, the Fort’s namesake Henry Leavenworth, thousands of soldiers, many civilians and my grandfather-in-law Luther Wright.
Luther Wright fought in the Spanish American War in the Phillipines under Teddy Roosevelt.There are two cemeteries. One is the National Cemetery and one is Fort Leavenworth. Luther is at Fort Leavenworth on the base. My husband, who is the one that went there for me, said he passed through gates that MPs guarded. It made the cemetery feel more like a military base than the other Veteran Cemeteries that are just opened. If it had been a stage set it would give the feeling of military ambiance.
Luther is buried among thousands of other veterans. Rows upon rows. Just looking at the pictures all the stones look alike, except Luther stands out to me because I know Luther’s story. Each veteran has a story to tell. Will we ever be able to tell all the stories??

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

2009-07-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

William Wright, Kerrville, Texas-- Carnival for August

2009-07-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

The August Carival is themed "Favorite Cemetery Photo." My favorite picture is a favorite because it is so personal.

This is my husband, David, cleaning the grave of his great grandfather William Christopher Wright. Every year he rides his Harley across the country. He never fails to stop in Kerrville, Texas to say "Hello" to GGrandpa and put flowers on the grave. Until he started visiting I am pretty sure that William hadn't had a visit in a hundred years.

I have spent at least 20 years researching this Grandpa. He was living in Missouri when he became very sick with TB. At the time it was thought that Kerrville, Texas had the right combinations to improve TB. So he went with his wife to live there. There was a street called Cottage Street where most TB patients lived. Cottages lined the street. Each cottage had a outside sleeping porch where it was thought that sleeping outside would improve your health. In this case it didn't help and he passed away. Annie, his wife, buried him here then returned to Missouri.

It is so touching to me that my big, rough, tough, Harley husband is so sensitive to his family and ancestors.

Wooden Headboard

2009-07-18T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is a old wooden headboard from the Sacramento Cemetery. It is circa 1876. At one time wood headboards were plentiful in this cemetery.

This is the first time I have seen a real one. There were some in the Salt Lake Cemetery but they looked like reproductions. This is REAL.

It belongs to Sophie K. Meiss. Her death date is listed as June 30, 1876.

Sacramento City Cemetery, General George Wright

2009-07-17T19:55:00.000-07:00

Here I am with General George Wright. I was so hoping that we were related. We are not. He graduated from West Point and is from a weathly family in Vermont. He was the Military Commander of the Pacific Coast during the Civil War. He was drowned at sea in 1865 and his body was recovered 6 weeks later.

Travel Log July 11, 2009

2009-07-12T12:10:00.000-07:00

One day to rest up. Nate wanted to stay in and do nothing; I wanted to see the town.
There was a sign that said Fort Dent. I wanted to see that. Ooh, a fort, I love to look around old Fort’s. Well I found out it is only a park. However there was a man named Frederick Dent who was a colonial in the Civil War and a brother in law of President Grant. The park was named after him. So I went to the Chamber of Commerce and asked about it. She didn’t know a thing except it was a park. Then I asked the magic question “Is there an interesting cemetery nearby?” She knew, and had a map of two famous graves nearby. Bruce Lee and Jimi Hendricks! I was on my way. Jimi was close by so I went there first. When I arrived there was a funeral service going on so there were lots of cars. But it was obvious where his monument was. It is big and handsome. I pulled over to it and parked. As I was gathering my camera and note pad another car came up. They got out of the car and ran over to the monument. . Hendricks picture is carved in the wall and some of his music that he wrote was carved on another wall. The other couple appeared to be an older hippie couple along with a teenage son. The mom said out loud that Jimi would be happy if she smoked a joint in his honor. The teen son seemed embarrassed and told mom to please don’t do it here. It was hard to get pictures because the sun was out and bright and there were people around. Then another group came, a couple of guys, and they started taking pictures. Apparently Jimi gets lots of visitors. Of course, I always think there are so many silent citizens are here and Jimi gets all the attention. Finally I got some pictures but when I looked at them there is a glare and my shadow in all of them. I never was a fan but of course I heard of him. I use to have a friend who had the hobby of taking pictures of celebrity’s gravesites. I thought that was very odd, but here I am taking pictures too. I wonder if he got to Jimi’s grave. This man is dead himself now. I think of him so often.
The gravesite was very nice but the cemetery was, well, just a cemetery. With two exceptions, Jimi Hendricks, of course, and there was a beautiful Chinese pagoda. Really nice. It was red, bright red, and there were streams of blue water around the pagoda. It was really blue, like food dye blue. Surrounding the Chinese monument were many graves, some didn’t look like they were used yet.
Next I left on my way to see Bruce Lee. I met him one time in the 60s or 70s at a karate tournament. At the time I didn’t appreciate the talent of the man. I just went to the tournament on a date and didn’t know a thing about karate back then. The gal at the Chamber of Commerce said it was just 17 miles away, but it seemed like forever. You know how that is; when you don’t know where you are going it seems so far. Here in Seattle every drive is beautiful so the distance doesn’t matter, there are trees everywhere.

I enjoyed driving though the area I had to get to. It was near W.U. so there were lots of college students walking around and lots of shops. It reminded me so much of New Orleans around Tulane U. If the streets were narrower and it was hotter and more humid, I could have been in New Orleans. The area is called Capital Hill. Finally I find the cemetery and I was wowed! What a cemetery. Not as wonderful as Sacramento but it was great. Again there was nobody to ask where Bruce Lee’s grave is. I walked around everywhere, looked at many graves and wondered, I am always wondering about the people that are there. But without my handy dandy laptop and the internet I can’t find out anything. There are so many stories here.
Around one grave were several people that I assumed were visiting their loved ones. Another young couple was walking around too so I asked them if they knew where Bruce was. They pointed over to where the group was. When the first group left we all walked to the grave and took pictures.
Bruce and his son Brandon are buried side by side. The stones are relatively simple in a very interesting cemetery. After I took pictures I had the most fun walking around. I took lots of pictures. At one time I remember hearing that Kurt Cobain, who is also from this area, was to be buried at the same cemetery but the cemetery refused him saying that they had enough on their hands with the Lees, they didn’t want another celebrity. So his ashes were spread over a river.
When I was done with my sad photo taking in the cemetery I decided to walk around the nearby neighborhood. Not only does this look a lot like to New Orleans but somewhat like San Diego. There are hills, going up and down. The walking was for a younger Diane but I loved every moment even if I was huffing and puffing. Each house was partially hidden by tall plants and trees and flowers. Each one was different. There were Victorians, one painted lady, some simple clapboard homes, some craftsman’s, many that I think of as a farm house in the city. The neighborhood was just as exciting as the cemetery. I want to rent a room in one of these houses and write the great American novel!!!

Travel Log July 10, 2009

2009-07-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

We drove all day. Didn’t see one cemetery. If I was alone I would have stopped at all the historical sights and look outs but Nate wanted to keep on going.
I have to tell you that I thought we were going to Vancouver, Washington. So I figured we would get there early and have time to look around town, then make some phone calls and plans for seeing some friends from my childhood. But for a very long and stupid reason, I found out, as we were driving though Vancouver, that we were going to Seattle. Oh well, I am known for just rolling with the punches, so we kept on going.
Along the road we saw a couple riding their Harleys with a sidecar on it. Guess what was in the sidecar? A great looking, handsome Boxer dog!! He was so cute. I always wanted to do that...ride on a bike with my dog along my side. Husband rides a Harley by the likes going dogless. Anyway, I was so concerned for the dog because he didn’t have a helmet on or goggles or a jacket. It could be dangerous. I wanted to take a picture, but driving along I couldn’t even get to the camera fast enough. I thought if was an artist I could sketch a picture of the sight. But forever it will be a Kodak moment in my head.
We got to Seattle late and drive around to find a hotel that we could afford and a restaurant we wanted to eat at. Our arrival time was 9:51 pm and I was asleep by 10:30.

Travel Log, July 9, 2009, Sacramento Cemetery

2009-07-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

‘Got to the Old Sacramento cemetery. I took a lot of pictures but forgot the cord to get them loaded in the computer.

We started off at 9am from Corona, Calif. We filled our ice chest with drinks and snacks (trying to go on the cheap) and headed up the I-15 to the 210, then to the I-5 which we stayed on all the way. Nate started off driving, he says my driving is scary (but who taught him to drive?) We didn’t see anything eventful along the freeway except along the road in Northern California we saw one big fire. It looked big to us but people were zipping by without batting an eye (although it was difficult to see peoples eyes going at 70 mph).Not one emergency vehicle in sight
I keep worrying that we wouldn’t make the cemetery before it closed. But we arrived at 4:00pm. There was nobody to get a map from. No opened front office. I told Nate to drive around, we can get a feel for the cemetery then walk it. I saw a man walking around and I asked him if he worked there. He said that he volunteered. Oh! My kind of man! Of course I talked his ear off and he didn’t care one bit but did get me to his co-volunteer and she helped me out. She let me in the museum which was closed and gave me a pamphlet walking tour and some brochures and I bought every booklet they had. They have really cute T-shirts, but not one in my size (everyone isn’t a small, ya know). I thought about buying a smaller one and losing weight, but I paused long enough to come to my senses.

Nate took charge. He read the walking tour then drove to number one. We got out of the car and as I oohed and ahhed and took pictures, he read the narrative to me and went looking for number two. He is very good at finding the tombstones. Along the way there were so many interesting ones to look at. I get distracted so easily. OK, I know it is no Disneyland and I need to have more respect but there are so many things to learn about in the cemetery. There was all the California History I learned about in college right under my feet. Railroad Magnets, Governors, John Sutter, Jr., Donner Party survivors, pioneers, son of a U.S. President. What I liked most were all the beautiful stones. I am sure there is certainly a story about each one but I don’t know what it is. Oh! And there is a section of just volunteer fireman on a small hill, maybe a plateau, but it made it attractive and I wanted to see it.

I had Minda’s (Minda Powers-Douglas) book Translating Tombstones with me because I can’t remember anything. I was glad I did. There was a marker for a little girl with a hand pointed down. Shouldn’t it be pointing up? I looked in the book and it said “God’s hand reaching down to take soul to Heaven.” Isn’t that sweet for a child? I can imagine God’s gentle arms carrying the child back through the clouds to His home.

One of the signs told that the cemetery grounds are maintained by the city, but each plot is maintained individually. They ask for people that will adopt a plot. You can see that some were once lovingly planted but somehow have been more recently neglected, others look like they haven’t had attention is years and a few are kept up ever so nice.

It was a wonderful cemetery that deserved more time on my part, but as Nate kept reminding me, we are on a time schedule.

I Wanna Go!!

2009-07-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Why am I obsessed with news articles about cemeteries? I just am. My sister in law sent me this news story from The Wichita Eagle by Beccy Tanner. This reporter says “Sounds strange, but some times the best places to explore in Kansas are the cemeteries along forgotten back roads.” I need to introduce her to some Graveyard Rabbits!

She talks about so many places I really want to see.
At the Lincoln cemetery she writes about a tombstone shaped like a suitcase. It belongs to a traveling salesman. The epitaph says “”Here is where he stopped last.” That would make any GYR get out the camera!!
You can check this travel news story out for yourself.http://www.kansas.com/news/local/story/871080.html

I love to take the news stories and see what else I can find about it. There is more information from Rootsweb about the suitcase tombstone. It says here that it is so detailed that the keyhole is even perfect. I have to get to this one!http://skyways.lib.ks.us/genweb/lincoln/suitcase.htm n/suitcase.htm

One cemetery she didn’t mention, and how could she mention them all? is Sunnydale Cemetery on Emporia in Valley Center. As far as I know there are no Civil War soldiers laid there, it is not a historical cemetery in the state of Kansas. But it is important in the Wright Family History. Many inlaws and outlaws and friends are buried there. From a California girl’s point of view it is the typical Kansas cemetery. The rows are wide apart because at one time they used horse and cart to mow. Also there is still a water pump standing. It was used before they got city water out to the cemetery.

How come it is that a cemetery a great distance away is so much more fun than the one just down the road? Maybe that is why I like news stories so much.

Cemetery Road

2009-07-07T15:43:00.000-07:00

I am finally on the road again! Well, I will be in a couple days. My son is going to Washington State for a job interview and I begged to come along. I am sure he really doesn’t want Mommy, but Mommy is good at pleading her case.

I love to travel. The open road and no responsibilities except where to eat and where to sleep.

But….I have a secret goal. I really, really want to go to the Old Sacramento City Cemetery. I have heard it is just wonderful, and it so happens that we drive right through Sacramento.

I named this blog Travels Wright because I love to travel. I thought I would be moving about and across the country covering cemeteries as though I were a news reporter. Oh the fantasies!

I broke the news to my son today that there was one stop I wanted to make. I told him that members of the Donner party needed a visitor. He used to be amazed at the Donner story before he grew up. Of course he figured out that I was talking about a cemetery. Also some governors are buried there as well as Captain John Sutter. Thousands of early settlers are buried there too. Some of the first interments in the City Cemetery are over 600 victims of the Cholera Epidemic in 1850. They say that the cemetery is designed as a Victorian garden.
I can’t wait to go.

But the best is yet to come. In October my husband and I are going to the New England states for two weeks. I am trying to be discreet about wanting to go to the cemeteries. It is hard to keep my joy tame. I bought a couple new books about New England cemeteries and now there are more than I ever dreamed of to visit.

Traveling! Oh traveling! If I could sing I would burst into song.”On the road again…..”

Annie. E. Wright for July Carnival

2009-06-23T09:15:00.001-07:00

This was a fun challenge! Here is Annie Elizabeth Wright, my husbands great grandmother.

The best part of the story is of how I got the cemetery picture. Grandma Annie is buried in Dallas, Texas. I planned to go to the cemetery when I got there from California, but nobody would go with me. I was a stranger so I wanted someone to go with me. Nobody would go. I called the cemetery and talked to the sexton, a very nice man, and he assured me she was there and he would take me to the grave. But still nobody that I knew would go with me. I called the local police to ask if it was safe to go there alone. This is what I was told after alot of hemming and hawing: :"A white girl in a late model car shouldn't go there." Well, now I am scared, but I still wanted a picture.

So this is what I did. I mailed a disposable camera and a self addressed stamped bubble envelope in another bubble envelope to the cemetery and enclosed a small donation and a note to please take photos of her grave. In a week or two I recieved it back. This darling man took the whole roll, every angle possible of the stone.

Now I always think of that story when I think of Annie E. Hockenberry Wright.

2009-06-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

Look at this postcard carefully. Toward the right are two men standing by an old car. Why do they have the car in the cemetery? This postcard was mailed in 1907. On the back it says

"Dear Mother,

Thinking you would like this scene I sent to town by Jesse last night and got it.

Mary"

Some postcard history: In the lower left it is written "Published by E.E.N.Corn, pharmacist" Often the drug stores in small towns, would go around and take photos, make postcards and sell them in their stores. In larger towns there might be a postcard store that would sell not only postcards with images of their towns on them, but postcard albums, photo corners, glue or anything that would have to do with postcards. They also would sponsored "card parties." People would meet at the store, perhaps in the basement or back room, and swap postcards and show off what they have collected. Naturally, they would end up in the store to buy more supplies.

Barnes, Kansas is a small town of 150 people. In spite of the small population there are 5 cemeteries, however, two are private family cemeteries. Find a Grave has 85 postings at this graveyard. There is also a couple of family genealogy sites that post Maplewood Cemetery as the final resting place. Kenneth Rigel has posted several pictures of this cemetery.This little town has put together a great website. There is also The Barnes Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Kansas Rabbit

2009-06-21T14:54:00.000-07:00

My husband is from Kansas so we visit there often. I do like it there, it is a big contrast to California.

So...I am trying an experiment. Lets call it a virtual experiment. I wrote a new blog and titled it The Kansas Rabbit. I noticed that there wasn't a Kansas Rabbit so I am going to hop to Kansas via my current collection and the web, with a occasional visit to the Sunflower State.

Please visit me at http://thekansasrabbit.blogspot.com/ I can't wait to tell you Kansas Stories.

Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll Report

2009-06-18T18:25:00.000-07:00

The Mourning Lady, and yes, I know sunglasses are wrong!

Our 14th Cemetery Stroll is underway. We have had so many themes is the past. We portrayed people who lived on Grand Blvd., shop keepers, churches in early Corona, and early trustees of the cemetery to name a few. This year we are portraying Civil War soldiers that are buried in Sunnyslope. Surprisingly some are from California.

Most people do not associate California with the Civil War, but the state played a very important part. Some regiments were assigned to protect the Overland Mail routes. Other regiments got gold to the East to keep the Union effort going.

Our final five are................
Josiah Countyman, 2nd Cal Cav, Company C
John L. Merriman, 2nd Cal Cav, Company E
Daniel H. Kathan, 2nd Cal Cav, Company K
Barnabus E. Savery, 24th Mass
Ethan P. Kidder, Ill 139th, Company E

It is a coincidence that three are from California. We just keep collecting all the soldiers, then we have to figure out a logistical route through the cemetery, after all it is a stroll!

There are some guys that I really want to research in more depth more but they are too close together or too far apart. Maybe there will be a Part Two since there are so many soldiers from the Civil War.

Real Civil War Re Enactors will portray the soldiers. Except for one soldier who gets me as his mother. It is selfish but I have to be there right in the middle of it all.

I have the urge to tell you all about it but then you wouldn’t come to the 2009 Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll.

To see stories of past Strolls go to:
http://www.corona-history.org/corona-cemetery-walk.html

Funeral Cookies

2009-06-14T16:42:00.000-07:00

Often funeral tokens were given as a reminder of the departed loved one. Sometimes it was gloves, sometimes a printed hymn. More often than not it was a cookie. A Funeral Cookie. Old cookbooks referred to them as seed cookies.
Molds were used to press images on the cookies. The most common was the heart meaning love, faith and hope. It could also have been the rooster, symbolizing The Resurrection. The cookies were so common that they were not noted and forgotten after several generations. The molds were used often and traded from household to household as they were needed.
Some wood carvers specialized in making cookie molds. Molds were also made of metal or carved from marble.
Sometimes the cookies were sent as an invitation to homes of friends and family. They would be wrapped in black ribbon or black crepe. Most often they were passed out as a reminder at the funeral. The cookies tended to be hard because they were not intended to be eaten alone. They were usually saved as a memory token, but if they were eaten, they were eaten by dipping into wine, beer or tea.
So where is the recipe you ask. I am still trying some out. They were like shortbread or sugar cookies, I have been told. Does anyone know of a recipe?
For more funeral recipes see my website http://www.graveyardstewplus.com/

A Real Daughter, A Pioneer, a Saved Grave

2009-06-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

This is everything I love. A Real Daughter of the DAR. A Pioneer that sacrificed, suffered and died for her beliefs and a grave that was saved.

To learn more go to http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/8019/nerw.html

My brother, Wayne Shockey, took this photo while driving through Nebraska. Thanks Wayne!

The Flag to Honor Veterans, Flag Folds

2009-06-07T09:59:00.000-07:00

These meanings, not part of the U.S. Flag Code, have been ascribed to the 13 folds of American flags at veterans burial services:
1. Symbol of life.
2. Symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. In honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. Represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. A tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. Represents where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. A tribute to our armed forces.
8. A tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. A tribute to womanhood.
10. A tribute to father.
11. In the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
13. When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God We Trust."

Postcard Collection Rural Cemetery at Poughkeepsie, New York

2009-06-05T15:29:00.000-07:00

Began in 1853

"Rural Cemeteries" replaced church yards and family plots as the burial place of choice, and the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery was part of this revolution. Even though they were nearly always located near growing urban areas, these cemeteries were called "rural" because their carefully landscaped grounds embodied a respect for nature, and provided a respite from the chaotic bustle of the city.
The cemetery committee finally decided on a fifty-four acre parcel of land belonging to the estate of Supreme Court Justice Smith Thompson. This land forms the nucleus of the present cemetery.
The purchase of the land was made possible by sixty citizens of Poughkeepsie who invested $300 each and were given the option of either being paid back once the cemetery began to sell plots, or using the investment to pay for a family plot. The grounds were laid out by landscape architect Howard Daniels, and the opening ceremony took place on November 2, 1853. The Poughkeepsie Eagle newspaper described the opening ceremony in the following manner: "The day was uncommonly fine, the air salubrious, the ground dry, and all nature seemed to smile on the praiseworthy undertaking of our citizens in planning, laying out and decorating such a beautiful spot for a burial place."
At the website of the Rural Cemetery is a virtual walking tour and a video of what it looked like in 1938.

Information taken from http://www.poughkeepsieruralcemetery.org/history.php

Searching For The Old Cemetery

2009-06-04T17:52:00.000-07:00

Once I asked a professional genealogist what was her best tip. Without hesitating she said “maps.” I have thought of her often as I have used several maps trying to locate the old cemetery in town. Maps and lots of clues from any source.

Kathleen, a fellow researcher, and I have followed every clue available. We have scoured the newspaper, the maps, the obituaries, the deeds in both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Some written histories mention the old burying grounds briefly. Each word is a clue to us. “North of the depot”. “North of the tracts”. “On the bank of the wash”. “On the north bank of the wash”. “North of town”. The only thing for sure is that it is north.

The new cemetery was started in 1892, that is agreed upon by all historians and we found the deed for verification. With that in mind I checked the several transcribed projects to find any grave before 1892 in the new and current cemetery. They must have been moved from the old cemetery. I looked for the obituaries and almost without fail they say “burial at the cemetery north of town.” Apparently there was no real name for the cemetery. I picture the carriage carrying a coffin down Main Street to the makeshift cemetery, but then what? This ground is very hard because it is packed clay. I would hate to leave someone I loved in a makeshift grave “north of town.” A cemetery is supposed to be pretty and peaceful, with a fence around it and a caretaker. Corona, known as South Riverside at the time, was all scrub and desert back then.

My research tells me there were only about a dozen burials at the old cemetery. Then the floods of the winter of 1891/92 came. It rained so hard it was impossible to get to the cemetery (another clue?). Since it was on the north bank of the (Temescal) Wash, did the cemetery wash out or could one just not get across the bank to the cemetery? A group of citizens decided at this point to relocate the cemetery and form a cemetery association. This part is well documented.

In trying to locate the old cemetery, the route of the creek/wash/river has been changed. This is one more minor complication. Thank Goodness for the old maps.

I was hoping to find some articles in the newspaper that would describe carriages bringing the old burials to the new cemetery. Not a one. Wouldn’t that be noteworthy? That would be in the paper today if something like that happened. An aside: it sure would be noteworthy if horses and carriages went through town hauling old coffins down Main Street in 2009! I went through the newspapers several times and Kathleen went through several more times to make sure we didn’t miss anything.

There were also people that died after the flood and before the new cemetery was formed; these bodies were buried wherever space was available. Usually they were buried on their own property. The newspaper would indicate the location, such as “on the property of H.H. Anderson on Main Street” and state “deposited for the present.”

Still another complication: some persons that died before the formation of the present Sunnyslope Cemetery on Rimpau in Corona are found in the then new Sunnyslope cemetery, while others can’t be found anywhere yet. They must have been moved somewhere else, or they have no marker, or they were forgotten.

We may never find the exact locations of these displaced loved ones, but I can point with confidence as I drive down Main Street, north of the depot and pass the Wash and say “It is in this area.”

Of course it is most important to locate the people; their stories continue and need to be told.

I feel like I am on a treasure hunt!

Decoration Day

2009-05-23T08:12:00.001-07:00

This is from my postcard collection. There is no writing on the back. It looks like two little boys dressed for Decoration Day and honoring someone at the grave. I have many questions. Is this in a cemetery? Is the grave still there? Where is it? Who is it? When, Where How and Why?

Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll, 2009

2009-05-21T09:35:00.000-07:00

The 14th annual cemetery stroll is coming up again. Well…uh….not until October, but we are thinking about it and collecting information. This year we will commemorate veterans from the Civil War.
It was a surprise that this little town had so many veterans from that war, how did they make it to Corona? It seems that once you know about something, suddenly, you see it everywhere. There are Civil War veterans buried everywhere!
I want to share my adventure of yesterday. There is a soldier buried at Sunnyslope named John M. Crooks. He is buried near the road so I pass him all the time. Years ago, 1997 to be exact, Corporal Crooks was considered for the Stroll but he was found boring. As I put my feet on the floor in the morning I had a powerful flash of inspiration. John Crooks and his wife Emma deserve some honor. They had no children of their own so who is going to remember them. ME!
I went to the library to search the newspapers. After several pass throughs I found Crook’s obit. Uninteresting. I looked from the time he arrived in Corona to the time he died. Nothing. So many other small articles about minor things. So and So motored to Riverside. Anywho planted 15 acres of barley. Mr. Body had company from Los Angeles. But did John Crooks have any mention about him? NO. I re-looked at least three times. From his pension papers and his death certificate I know he was very unwell, so I am guessing he didn’t get out much. However, the Mrs. was mentioned once in a while about entertaining at her small home when she was a widow. She lived in Corona for 25 years after her husband died.
After hours at the library I came home to my faithful computer. I spent many hours researching anything I could find on the internet. I was able to find out a few interesting stories, but they are really back stories. Late into the night I put together pieces and made a script that I can do at the Stroll.
The long and short of it is this. Corporal John Maxwell Crooks joined the fighting of the War Between the States at age 18, served his country well. He lived for many years with lung trouble, deciding to move west in hopes of improving his health. He lived here for only two years and two months then died, but he has been buried in the same spot for over 104 years. Who has been to visit him? He is my special project.

Armed Forces Day at Riverside National

2009-05-17T08:16:00.000-07:00

Today is Armed Forces Day so my sister and I went to Riverside National Cemetery. She is not a graveyard lover, although I keep trying to turn her into one. We had planned to walk around the cemetery to get our exercise but it was so hot we drove around and just kept getting in and out of the car to take pictures.

We also went across the way to visit the March Airforce Base Museum. I always wanted to see the War Dog Memorial.

Then the real reason we went to the cemetery is I was reading the Roll Call. Starting today, every hour, twentyfour hours a day, they will read the names of veterans until Memorial Day. All I can say is what an honor!!

Emily and Anna Niles, Boston, Mass

2009-05-15T10:23:00.000-07:00

I have had this picture by John Thomas Grant on my screensaver for a long time. Of course I often stare at it while I am working on projects always wondering about the names. The names have stories and are not just names. Finally I took action. These are two unmarried sisters, Emily Hale Niles (1839-1908) and Anna Hale Niles (1840-1911), in the background is the stone for their mother Mary Ann Hale Niles. Mary Ann was born in Boston. She married William Jenkins Niles. He was a broker and the owner of a livery stable.

Before 1870 they moved to a house at 110 Beacon Street, Back Bay, Boston. William and Mary and their daughters all lived in this brownstone until their deaths.

Emily and Anna were both members of DAR. Their Patriots being Jeduthan Richardson and Ebenezer Niles.

There is so much more to learn about these ladies but for now I am just using my imagination to reconstruct their lives. They are buried under these beautiful gravestones in Cambridge, Mass.

Postcard, Charles Baber Cemetery, Pottsville, PA

2009-05-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a vintage postcard of the Charles Baber Cemetery in Pottsville, PA. The cemetery was named after the man that donated the land, Charles Baber, who is buried there. This cemetery covers 25 acres. It is part of the Pottsville Project Fitness which deems the cemetery as a place ideal for walking and jogging. It is significant as a historic landscape, sounds like the perfect place for my morning walk.
The cemetery trustees offer many opportunities for the volunteer such as
Raking litter patrol ,Clean-up of branches and twigs, Straightening of flags, Snow shoveling of West Market Street sidewalk, Newspaper research of obituaries on microfilm at Pottsville Free Library, and Develop tree brochure.

There is also a book about the cemetery called Charles Baber Cemetery at Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania by Phillip A. Rice. It is currently out of print.

There are many civil war veterans buried there as well as many famous politicians.
One of the most interesting fellows is David G. Yuengling (1808-1877) He is the founder of the Yuengling Brewery. This brewery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest brewery in the United States. Today the Yuengling Brewery is recognized as America's Oldest Brewery. They are still brewing and according to Linda in Lancaster, it is a fun place to go. The Brewery that is. Although the cemetery sounds like fun too.

Graveyard Stew

2009-04-28T12:31:00.000-07:00

I am always researching for more sites to add on Graveyard Stew. I keep collecting stories about old and abandoned graves. It is so sad to read about these forgotten graves.

Here is one example. A story from Wake County, GA: Developers keep finding unexpected graves as they move into more rural areas. In the past many cemeteries were on the family farm land, land that has been broken up and sold many times over. There is no longer a marker, but the builders still need the land. These were real people once, great grandparents of someone, maybe me or you. Did you ever wonder why you couldn’t find GGGrandpa’s grave?

When the developers find a grave they have three choices. They can try and contact the surviving family, they can preserve it, or they can move it to another spot. Another option occured to me, but is not part of this story. What if the developers simple don’t say anything, and keep on working? Who would know? After centuries there isn’t much evidence left.

Another story from Charleston: They are moving dozens of old unmarked graves that are over 200 years old. On the sacred ground they are going to build affordable housing.

Now I have been around the historical community long enough to know that everything cannot be saved. I do not have a degree in Cemetery History (is there such a thing? If there is I want to learn all about it.) But something needs to be done! I have thought and thought. The only thing I know is to keep alert, keep posting grave sites on line, and keep the level of awareness going in any way you can.

One more story, one that belongs to me. It is a research problem of a great grandpa, Abel White in Indiana. In his will he requested that a portion of his land is set aside as a family cemetery. He asked to have an appropriate marble headstone to mark his grave. But I cannot find it anywhere. I won’t give up the search, even if he and his family are under a modern building, I want to know.

Excuse me, but I have to run over to my own cemetery and make sure it is still there!!

Postcard: Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Frederick, MD

2009-04-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

This is Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland. The postcard shows the superintendent's residence. Researching on the web, I found no evidence that it is still there. This cemetery is positively on my "to see" list. This is the final resting place of Francis Scott Key. There is a beautiful monument in his honor at the entrance to the cemetery. The first burial was May 28, 1854. At that time the church cemeteries were all at capacity, so it was important to create a new one. Today there are over 34,000 silent residents.

Carnival, Cemetery Preservation

2009-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

No, I have not found a rural, unknown cemetery and cleaned it up and straightened all the stones and transcribed each name and researched each “resident.” I wish I had. My favorite book is Love Cemetery about a lady that did just that.
I have not found a niche to dedicate myself to. If I had I probably would not be able to stick to it for long. There are so many aspects to attend to. And I want to explore them all.
Raising awareness of cemeteries and their importance is my job. No money in it but lots of rewards. Here is what I do.

I am on the Sunnyslope Friends of the Cemetery Iron Fence Fund board. We do a cemetery stroll each year raising awareness for Corona history. This is my favorite project. I love to get dressed up and be a historical person.

I speak on cemeteries whenever I get a chance. Once in a while I get a chance to speak to Boy Scouts about cemeteries. At first they look at me like they are not sure what to expect, but in the end they love to talk about it and ask questions. Some of which I have no answers to! For the genealogy community I talk about The Armchair Tombstone. It is how to research from your comfortable spot at home. And the general purpose What You Didn’t Know About Graveyards.

Of course there is the Graveyard Rabbit. I am so glad I discovered the association! I write two blogs and am the newsletter editor. I love being a Rabbit!

Traveling to different cemeteries is my fun. I enjoy the travel, I like the search, and I love to talk to people there, both dead and alive. It is especially fun with another Rabbit or someone who likes it too. But I often go by myself if I can’t find a cemetery lover to go with.

Shhhh..this is a secret. I am trying to write a book about a dog at the graveyard. I am not great writer, although I would like to be. But I have a great idea, now I am WORKING to execute it.

Often I get asked to take pictures of headstones and I always try to get it done. Each time I come away with a fun story to go along with the picture search.

I gave myself a pretend job at Find A Grave.

These are my little ways of doing cemetery preservation, and I am having a great time!!

Tombstone Poem

2009-04-18T19:11:00.000-07:00

Your tombstone stands among the rest;
Neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out
On polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who care
It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist
You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you
In flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse
Entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
One hundred years ago
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved,
I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot,
And come to visit you.

Author unknown

A Caretaker's Home

2009-04-13T10:15:00.000-07:00

In older times a home was built for the caretaker and his family. Usually the cemetery was far out of town so it was an important convenience. Now this is the prettiest one I have seen. If I could live here, I would do the hard work that is required of a caretaker! Well, I would more than likely try to get my husband to do it instead.

I have seen a few on my trompings but not many. I added a topic on Graveyard Stew with caretakers homes. They are so interesting. Most of the stories are about them being torn down.

Does anyone have insight on caretakers homes? Are there any books on this subject? Please let me know of anything you have about this topic. I would love to hear from you.

Los Angeles Veterans Cemetery

2009-04-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

At one time it was called the Sawtelle Veterans Cemetery because it was associated with the “Old Soldiers Home,” called Sawtelle, which we would call today the VA Hospital.
I first got wind of this when I began to study a Civil War soldier named Andrew Wheaton who is buried in my cemetery, Sunnyslope, in Corona, California. His obituary said that he died in the Old Soldiers home and was to be transported from Sawtelle to Corona. What is Sawtelle!? The research began.
I became friends with George Wilkinson in Michigan who is a researcher and collector of anything and anybody from the Michigan 4th Regiment of the Civil War. Andrew Wheaton was with this unit and fought for the entire duration of the war. He was involved in some of the bloodiest battles, and was wounded in the right knee at Gettysburg. Wheaton will be portrayed in the next Sunnyslope Stroll that will take place October 25, 2009.
I offered to help George with anything he might need in Southern California. He asked me to photograph the gravestones of some men that were in the 4th Mich. There was special pride in taking these pictures. A good friend went with me. She is organized and persistent; I couldn’t have done it without her. Thanks Kathleen!
In spite of the arrangement of a military cemetery, these men are special individuals who served our country. They are all lined up in military order. Generals next to Privates. Rich next to poor. Some men made something of themselves after the war, others just survived with a military pension. There is a complete life story for each soldier invisibly etched on each stone.
This cemetery has no room for any more soldiers. It is in L.A. very near to the filming of movies and TV. The cemetery is very conscious of picture taking in any form; after all, it is Hollywood! Once I convinced them that we were historians, not film makers, they let us photograph the soldiers.
One interesting note was there was never the letter “J” in the rows. At first we thought it was an oversight, but not in a military graveyard! Finally I asked one of the workers. He said that it was because of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Custer’s unit was J.
There were two monuments we noticed. One was the Civil War Soldier. Not a word was written on the monument; however the image was worth a thousand words!
A couple other items got my attention. Two dogs are buried here!! (I love dogs.)
. War Dog "Bonus" buried with handler, Charles E. Temple - Ensign USNR, Section 101 Grave 1 Row A. War Dog "Blackout" buried with handler, George Lewis Oshier U.S. Navy/Sergeant U.S. Marine Corps, Section 99 Grave 2 Row A. Although this is no longer permitted, I was thrilled to see that it once was.
Another thing is, my husband and I are interested in black history. I was happy to see that
over 100 Buffalo Soldiers are interred at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. These African American soldiers were members of the 9th, 10th, 24th, and 25th Cavalry during the Civil War.
Finally, Nicholas P. Earp father of Wyatt Earp, Section 13 grave number A-18, We liked this because the Earps are associated with my neck of the woods, the Inland Empire.

Salt Lake City Cemetery, SLC, Utah

2009-04-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

JoLyn wrote about the fun we had at the Salt Lake Cemetery. It is so much fun to be with another graveyard lover. I had a great time with Linda from Lancaster (the TV star!) when she came to my house too. Us Rabbits are so much fun! I wish we could have a Rabbit Bed and Breakfast. Oh! Oh! An idea for a book!! I know the perfect house to buy in New Orleans. But I digress.

The picture above is what we called the graveyard dog. He was happy and playful. At one time he found a flag on a grave and brought it to me to throw for him. There was not a owner is sight but he seemed happy and healthy and loving the cemetery as much as we did.

At the Salt Lake City Cemetery, which is well run by the City of Salt Lake, there are such a variety of stones. It could be a museum of graves. There are sandstone markers, which are peeling from the elements, there are zinc markers, marble markers, granite markers, and several large rocks or boulders used for markers. There are flat stones, and there are monuments. One special monument is the statue that inspired the book The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans.

There are many interesting articles about this cemetery on the web. One that gave interesting information is http://www.common-place.org/vol-03/no-04/salt-lake-city/. Although we spent a couple of hours there, we missed alot of the graves, yet saw so many that my memory is jammed. Much of the history of the Salt Lake Valley is here, many pioneers that came to SLC in handcarts are buried there as well as most LDS church leaders. There is a view of the mountains and the city from almost anywhere you walk in the cemetery. This is Salt Lake's History Book!

Hank E. Baby Boom Boom Combs Wright

2009-03-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my beloved dog, Hank, passed away. Only if you knew me would you know how much I loved him. The only fights my husband and I had were over Hank. Hank always hoped that I would win! Now Dave is missing him too.
Hank went to cemeteries with me. At first I didn’t want him to go; I thought he would make his mark everywhere. One Sunday I took him to Sunnyslope to test him out. I was shocked, he was the perfect gentleman. Not once did he do anything inappropriate. Boy, did he love that walk. We walked everywhere, including the potter’s field. I wished I’d taken pictures but I didn’t want evidence then. After that we always went together.
We buried Hank in our way back, we call it the secret garden, but it really isn’t secret. He loved to lie near the walnut tree. I couldn’t bear to have him at a pet cemetery, that is much too sad. Hank would want to be here around all the action. And I can go out to the garden and finish reading the book we were reading, Dog On It.
Live on, Hank E. Baby!!!

Riverside National Cemetery

2009-03-18T20:24:00.000-07:00

At Riverside National Cemetery, they recently put in many, many concrete vaults, just waiting for a soldier or many soldiers. They are butted together side by side with no room to spare. It looks like there are two to a plot, stacked.
When you walk on the grassy sections, it feels park like. I have spent many hours visiting loved ones there and it is always so pleasant. We put out chairs, have a snack and talk about our guy. It is a reminder of picnics at the cemetery at a bygone time. I almost wish I hadn’t seen this. I try to never think about what is under the ground, only about what happened in their lives above ground.
I know now that my feet are cushioned by about 2 feet of ground and grass, then many feet of concrete vaults. Real military order and organization.
The Riverside National Cemetery is the busiest cemetery in all of the VA National Cemetery System, yet it is always calm and peaceful. They say that they will be able to accommodate 4700 new burials. The total capacity is 1.25 million.

Looking at how it is organized and plotted takes the sentimental value out for me. Here is the grave of a wonderful man. The inscription says "A Good Man." Three words that hold so much meaning. I knew this man, Denny, and I am so glad he was a small part of my life. He was a angel sent to earth to influence the rest of us.

As I walk past rows and rows of graves at Riverside Nat'l I wonder about the people that once lived in our world. I don't know a thing about them, they could be anything, wonderful like Denny, or a grumpy old man. The person could be a women who loved canning and gardening or a man that was a hero to all his commrades. As many graves as there are, there are just as many personalities and people who still love them.

RABBITS PLAY AT THE GRAVEYARD

2009-03-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Rabbit Linda of Lancaster, PA made a visit to my Rabbit Hollow here in Riverside County, CA. and we had a blast. We toured three different cemeteries and could have done a lot more if we had more time. It was so much fun to see my very own Sunnyslope Cemetery with different eyes. She pointed out things I had not noticed and gave me input to stones I had passed by over and over. Of course I enjoyed giving a tour and introducing her to so many graves! We went to the Indian cemetery, Sherman Indian Cemetery, that I wrote about a while ago. She found a way in!! I couldn’t, I just poked my camera between the rails of the fence. But inside it seemed so different. We walked around and said hello to every little grave there. Most of the time I feel happy in a grave yard. I imagine the lives and history of all the people there. I imagine that they are happy to see someone remembering them, caring that they once existed. But at the Sherman Indian Cemetery I feel sad for all those young people that died away from home. Maybe I should feel happy but I just don’t, there is something depressing about it..
Next we went to the Olivewood Cemetery in Riverside. I have been there to take pictures, to attend a funeral, but not to just investigate and have fun. Linda took pictures right and left. We went to a Japanese section. Maybe Linda will tell about that. We walked among all the older stones, they were so pretty. I saw so many names that are familiar to Corona as well as Riverside. Several families from here are buried at Olivewood instead of Sunnyslope, but I don’t know why. Other families have been moved from Olivewood to Sunnyslope, the one I know about was moved on a U-Haul trailer. The exact same stone is at Olivewood as well as Sunnyslope. In Sunnyslope there is a plaque telling that it was relocated from Olivewood and at Olivewood, the plaque says the body was removed to Sunnyslope. The picture presented in this BLOG was taken by Linda at Olivewood. I do believe it is my new favorite headstone. The Indian is in mourning. It symbolizes the end of the trail

Postcard Collection, Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans

2009-03-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

I love this postcard because of all the people in it. But it is impossible to know if the image originally showed the people or the postcard artist used artistic license when it was hand colored.

My husband is in New Orleans as I write this so I thought this was a good one to write about today.

Metairie Cemetery was previously a horse racing track. Historians seem to disagree about the details of what happened after. However during the Civil War it was used as a Confederate Camp.

Because it was high above ground it was thought to be a perfect place for a cemetery. Today there is still evidence of the race track.

There are tombs here that actually predate the cemetery because they were moved here after Metairie became the city's most prestigious cemetery.

There are many notables buried here including Generals, Governors, musicians and sports figures. Oh! If only I could have known some of these people! The story I like best is of a madam, Josie Arlington who died in 1914. Her grave was thought to be haunted for many years. At night a women would appear in front of the grave. Later it was found out that it was the way a street light reflected on the tomb. She was moved to an undisclosed location in the cemetery. Her picture is on Find A Grave, she is beautiful.

The Metairie Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Santa Ana Cemetery

2009-02-25T07:33:00.000-08:00

I went out to the Santa Ana Cemetery in Santa Ana, CA. I have lived nearby for 40 years and I didn't know about this cemetery. There were lots of really nice stones, then some stones like the one in this picture. I was "on assignment" for a freind that researches all the men that fought in the Fourth Michigan Infantry. Thanks, George, for sending me out here. Of course I couldn't just look at one stone and leave. I wandered and wandered and took lots of pictures. I wondered about all these people and their lives. There are many, many civil war soldiers buried here. A group call the The Civil War Roundtable Orange County Civil War Graves Registration Project has placed a large Civil War monument at the cemetery and large metal GAR star at each veterans grave. It was easy to spot and I ran around from one to the other. Did they know of each other? Were they friends in life, having shared the same experience? And my forever question: Are they friends now? Or is there a great story here of ghostly soldiers sitting next to their stones at night telling war stories?

Award of Mine

2009-02-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

I am so proud to recieve this award. I will stand tall with the other Winner Rabbits. As the Rabbit Roundup Reader, I get to read all the posts twice a month, I can honestly say everyone is very creative, I am always surprised to read so many different posts on the same subject...the graveyard, cemetery, and burial grounds. Just how do we do it? With each other! Thank you from my little corner of the cemetery.

Granary Burial Ground, Boston

2009-02-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

The Granary is one of the cemeteries that is on my list of places to go before I die. This is one of Boston's most popular tourist destinations. It is the final resting place of Paul Revere, as well as many other men from the revolutionary time.

There are many stories to be told here...but here is a modern one: A tourist fell into the entrance of a tomb that was long forgotton. The news story doesn't say who the tomb belonged to, that is my research for another day. But as I read this I realized I have a postcard in my collection from the cemetery.Please enjoy the story and my 1910 postcard. http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/02/tourist_steps_i.html?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed1

Also visit my Graveyard Stew for more newspaper stories about lost graves. http://graveyardstew.blogspot.com/

A Surreal Visit to Sunnyslope Cemetery

2009-02-16T07:16:00.000-08:00

The 14th Sunnyslope Cemetery Stroll is getting ready for action. Last week we met Charles and Betty at the cemetery. Charles promised that he would full our notebooks with history...and he was right. Our theme this year will be Veterans. This couple was the cutest couple, married over 61 years and they are walking around holding hands. Both of them has many family members buried at Sunnyslope and many that are veterans.
Most of our silent citizens we have portrayed we know from research only...and most of the time we really have to dig. But this darling couple could tell us about these people and what they were like in life. Uncle Pete, Aunt Ida, Grandpa Tucker. I often use the expression that "the cemetery comes alive when you learn about the people buried there"...but this time they really did come alive. Betty brought pictures and family group sheets. We would stand at the grave and look at their picture and see the fgs and learn of about the person. The experience was surreal. What wonderful people!!!
Then of course they could point out other people that they knew, not relatives, but neighbors, friends, friends of friends, someone they went to high school with. Comments like "I never got along with him," or "she killed herself," or "he always kept the town in tow," or "he was a good dancer and loved the women."
By the end I was dizzy with information and needed a nap to let it all sit in my already cluttered brain.
We can only use 5 characters, and we only have 5-10 minutes to tell about each of them. Oh! How are we going to choose?!?!
Thanks Charles and Betty for a fabulous day at the cemetery.

The Lost Tombstone

2009-02-11T15:26:00.000-08:00

What a story. You have to read this. It is about a tombstone lost and found. And the detective work to get it right again.

http://www.lib.niu.edu/2000/ihfa0012.html

Rabbit Wright and Her Postcards

2009-02-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

I enjoy my postcard collection so much. I only buy ones that I like or that have a interesting story. The ones that show people in them are the best, such as in this picture. Postcard collectors focus on the style, divided backs, the stamps, linen or not, handcolored or not and many other details. There are many unique PCs out there. My hobby started with family history. I wanted to write my own family history using just postcards. Then I discovered cemetery PCs. By researching the cemetery depicted I learn so much. Some places that I would have never thought to dig into suddenly becomes interesting.

The picture here is of Orchard Knob in Chattanooga, TN. Here was the Battle of Orchid Knob, a exciting battle that Ulysses S. Grant commanded. Upon taking the ridge General George Thomas conceived the idea for a cemetery. Today the National Cemetery at Chattanooga holds the graves of some 37,000 American veterans. The cemetery holds the remains of veterans from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War and 186 graves of German prisoners-of-war from both World Wars. It is the only national cemetery to contain the graves of foreign POW's.

I looked on line for current pictures of the cemetery and it doesn't look anything like this PC from 1909.

Two cemeteries I am on the lookout for are my own cemetery here in Corona, CA. I have only one and at that I only have the image because someone else in town has the orginal. The other is my future place of residence, the Sunnyvale Cemetery in Valley Center, KS. I can't find anything on it, much less a PC. I begged my sister in law to begin the research since she lives nearby. The only thing I know about it is that the rows are real wide because they used a horse drawn "lawn mower" contraption until a couple decades ago. Oh! and I know many people that are buried there. There is always the mystery!

Postcard Collection...Report Number Seven

2009-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

The Germantown Cemetery in Philadelphia was known as the Upper Burial Ground. It was once known as the Ax Burying Ground because John Frederick Ax was the keeper of the accounts for the cemetery. Later on it was called the Concord Burial Ground. There was a school built next to it in the year 1775 called The Concord School. By 1756, John Frederick Ax was too old and feeble to attend to the grounds and accounts. It was during the time about 1756 that it received the name of Ax's Burying Ground. The burying ground was run by John Frederick Ax from 1724 to 1756.
Here are buried fifty-two known and five unknown soldiers of the Revolution, as well as eleven from the War of 1812 and one from the Mexican War. The burying ground was created in 1692 and the high front wall was completed in 1724. The burying ground was created from a deed by Paul Wulff. It had its own trustees who kept their own records, but didn't actually start keeping records until 1761 One of the earliest stones is Cornelius Teisen who arrived in Germantown in 1684 and died in 1716 at age 63. There are Indians buried here and Germantown's "Methuselah," Adam Shisler, who died in 1777 and whose tombstone incorrectly reads, "age 969 years."

Soldiers buried in the Upper Burial Ground can be found here: http://genealogytrails.com/penn/military/GermantownRevBurials.html

They all look alike.

2009-01-31T07:44:00.000-08:00

Don 't they all start to look alike? I am often asked this, and I say "NO! Indeed" Then I can launch into a narrative of how cemeteries are laid out, and fenced, if they are fenced, and of the stone styles and the plants and trees around them.

This morning I decided to start on a new project of collecting all my family grave pictures and getting them on Find A Grave. I found this picture and I didn't know where it it was. My own words came back to haunt me!

With the magic of scanning and zooming I found out what cemetery this was. Then I did the most simple trick of all....label the picture.

What cemetery is this? This is Hope Cemetery in Corning, New York. Does this mean there is still hope for me??

Project is on hold again...Husband just got up and is dragging me out to the bicycle trail. From Corona to Huntington Beach, 41 miles long and not one cemetery in sight.