Digital Cemetery Walk

Tombstone Tuesday

2012-01-03T10:17:00.002-06:00

Ladonia Baptist Church
Russell Co., AL

Are these true barrel style tombs?

Merry Christmas

2011-12-15T09:00:00.003-06:00

I've been on a blogging break...I think the year caught up with me.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior I wish many Christmas Blessings for you in the coming year.

Merry Christmas!

Hope

2011-11-02T13:29:00.001-05:00

Smoky Hill Cemetery - McPherson Co., KS

The anchor is a symbol of HOPE.

Great resource for many reasons

2011-10-27T00:30:00.000-05:00

Here is just one:

Family Tree Magazine DVD 2000-2009

Our genealogical society board met recently to plan our 2012 monthly programs. Instead of pulling out back-issues, of which I only have half, I opened my laptop and searched by keyword for topic ideas. Now, we don't violate copyright by copying the article, but rather use it to create our own program content. Sometimes the topic is the hardest thing to come up with. Many articles include other / online resources that we can share with our members or use in our planning.

The DVD covers 2000 - 2009. I have the 2010 DVD on my birthday list, even though I have the paper issues. Why am I telling you this on my cemetery blog? Well, Family Tree Magazine has shared a lot about cemeteries over the years and I love having access at my fingertips.

Look at the results when I searched with key words "cemeteries" and "cemetery".

And, while I got mine at a good price, it is now $10 less when I purchased mine. Here is where you can find it.

accessed 10/26/11

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation or products based on my sharing this. I just love Family Tree Magazine.

New Book

2011-10-26T14:03:00.000-05:00

I've been waiting on this book for a long time. And it was worth the wait. John has put into book form what many of us already know and experience when we take a cemetery walk.

I became online friends with John and was very surprised when I got to the acknowledgement page of the book and found my name. Thanks, John.

I will spend many more hours going back through to enjoy the beauty it contains.

Stop by Amazon or Barnes and Noble and order your copy.

Shaded rest

2011-10-19T16:46:00.002-05:00

Laurel Grove Cemetery

Savannah, GA

Pioneers

2011-10-13T17:35:00.001-05:00

and a little dust.

My cemetery buddy Kathleen and I haven't been on an outing this year due to many reasons. So, last week we made a day of it...ignoring, or trying to, the Kansas winds. Hard to do, but we visited 6 cemeteries in the county next door.

Today at lunch we laughed at how desperate we must of been.

In the photo below you can see the dust being blown from the empty field beside the cemetery.

Lutheran Cemetery
McPherson Co., KS

I found two stones that noted the family as pioneers for the area.

Erickson Stone

Ingman Stone

Resting in the shade

2011-09-29T22:29:00.000-05:00

Colonial Park Cemetery
Savannah, GA

Lane Cross

2011-09-28T00:30:00.000-05:00

Lane Lot
Bonaventure Cemetery
Savannah, GA

Tomochichi

2011-09-27T10:27:00.000-05:00

Tomochichi (to-mo-chi-chi') (c. 1644 – October 5, 1739) was a seventeenth century Creek leader and the head chief of a Yamacraw town on the site of present day Savannah, Georgia. He remains a prominent character of early Georgia history. As the principal mediator between the native population and the new English settlers during the first years of settlement, he contributed much to the establishment of peaceful relations between the two groups and to the ultimate success of Georgia.

Tomochichi and nephew Toonahawi
Wikipedia

Tomochichi died on October 5, 1739, and while sources differ over his exact age, historians and contemporary observers generally agree that he was in his late nineties.

His gravesite was desecrated and destroyed in 1883 by the Central of Georgia Railroad when they constructed a monument to their founder, William Gordon, directly on top of Tomochichi's grave. Outraged by this insult to Tomochichi, Gordon's own daughter-in-law, Nellie Gordon, had a new monument to his memory, a large granite boulder with a decorative copper plate, was installed southeast of the original structure on April 21, 1899, by the Colonial Dames of America.The Georgia Historical Commission later placed a large marker in Savannah's Wright Square, which details the achievements of the Yamacraw chieftain. Extracted from Wikipedia.

Wright Square
Savannah, GA

More information at:
New Georgia Encyclopedia

I purchased a walking tour book that included a photo of his original burial mound. If I can find it in the public domain I will edit this post.

Untethered

2011-09-26T09:42:00.002-05:00

Life got a little easier when I got my Droid X2 last month. It can do so much more than my old BlackBerry. I finally got around to setting up some features to allow me to keep up with my blog reading, friends and family without being tethered to a laptop or desktop.

New Books

2011-09-26T09:30:00.001-05:00

I added a few new books to my bookshelf. I saw some beautiful cemeteries while in Savannah last week.

Greenwich Angel

2011-09-25T08:15:00.001-05:00

Greenwich Cemetery
Savannah, GA

Colonial Park Cemetery

2011-09-23T12:19:00.000-05:00

I took some cemetery walks on my vacation to Savannah, GA this week. Updates are on the walks page under GA: Chatham.

Our hotel was in the historic district and within walking distance to Colonial Park.

Horace King: Emancipated

2011-09-16T18:17:00.004-05:00

A few articles I found on Horace King

Realizing that King could be taken from him to settle debts with his creditors, Godwin arranged with Robert Jemison to petition the Alabama General Assembly for King's release from slavery. Jemison succeeded, and on February 3, 1846, Horace King became a free man.
AlabamaHeritage.com

Alton Telegraph [IL]
3/14/1846

Daily Sentinel and Gazette [OH]
2/28/1846

Carroll Co Times [GA]
5/23/1873

Carroll Co Times [GA]
6/20/1873

Educated at home by private tutors and on the job by their father, the King boys learned their father's trade by working with him in the Godwin construction and milling firms during the Civil War. Following the war, King and his sons formed their own construction business, the King Brothers Bridge Company. Later, Annie Elizabeth also worked for the family firm.
AlabamaHeritage.com

Atlanta Constitution [GA]
5/13/1883

300th Cemetery Walk

2011-09-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

I'm sure my number is higher but my count includes the cemeteries I photographed between 1999 to 2004 for my genealogy research and those I began photographing in 2004.

Returning home last weekend we stopped in Arkansas. On our way to dinner we took a quick stroll through Forrest City Cemetery. My list notes this as cemetery number 300.

I'm excited about the cemeteries on my list to visit next week. Stay tuned for a report on those!

Coffins at the Kansas State Fair

2011-09-14T00:58:00.000-05:00

You can find just about anything at the state fair...including a custom coffin. We have a new business in town called 'Til We Meet Again. They have a display at the Kansas State Fair.

Horace King: Slave & Master Bridge Builder

2011-09-13T10:12:00.000-05:00

A part of my hometown history...

I learned about the relationship of John Godwin and his former slave, Horace King, during my search for cemeteries in Phenix City, Alabama. While Phenix City is my birthplace I was raised across the Chattahoochee River in Columbus, GA.

During a trip home I found the Godwin Cemetery and visited the grave of John Godwin and photographed the headstone placed there by his former slave, Horace. I knew I also needed to find and visit Horace's grave in LaGrange, GA. On my latest trip home I made time to travel to LaGrange to find and visit the grave of Horace King.

I was saddened by the sparseness of the cemetery and found Horace and his son, Marshall, buried beside a tree next to the creek bed. There were few marked graves in this large piece of ground outside of the confederate cemetery referred to as Stonewall Jackson Cemetery.

I kneeled down and cleaned the debris from their graves and told him how I had learned about him and wanted to visit him. That much has been written about him and the new 13th Street bridge connecting Alabama and Georgia is called the Horace King Friendship Bridge.

Standing at the head of Horace's grave looking
toward the Confederate Cemetery

After I returned to Kansas I discovered his wives are buried in the Godwin Cemetery. I will visit them when I return home in a few months. The documentary listed below states the King wives are buried close to the Godwin plot by the two cedars. I reviewed my photos and see the location.

Horace King 9/8/1807 - 5/28/1885
His headstone is marked wrong with the year 1887
1st wife: Francis L. Goode
2nd wife: Sally Jane McManus

Alabama Heritage

New Georgia Encyclopedia

Born as a slave of African, European, and Native American (Catawba) ancestry in Chesterfield District South Carolina, King moved with his master, John Godwin (1798-1859), a contractor, to Girard, Alabama, a suburb of Columbus, where Godwin had the contract to build the first public bridge connecting those two states. King probably planned the construction and directed the slaves who erected that span. Godwin apparently realized King's intuitive genius as a builder and nurtured those skills. During the early 1840s King served as superintendent and architect of major bridges at Wetumpka, Alabama, and Columbus, Mississippi, without Godwin's supervision.

John Godwin allowed King and his other slaves a great degree of freedom, and in 1846 he freed King, perhaps to protect this valuable asset from his creditors. King might have simply bought his freedom, but the relationship between the former master and slave remained the same. After Godwin's death in 1859, King erected a monument over his grave that declared "the love and gratitude he felt for his lost friend and former master."

Horace: The Bridge Builder King documentary by Tom C. Lenard

As shared by his descendents, researchers and historians on YouTube

Part 1. Be sure to watch all 6 segments.

Other links with information on Horace King:

Horace King Historical Marker
Horace King Historical Marker
Wikipedia
New Georgia Encyclopedia
Structure Magazine
BlackPast.org
Alabama Heritage this link has photos of his children
Troup County Archives

Book: Bridging Deep South Rivers: The Life and Legend of Horace King

New book

2011-09-13T00:55:00.000-05:00

I added a new book to my cemetery bookshelf:

Where should it go?

2011-09-12T10:53:00.001-05:00

While I am working on the information and photos that I want to share about my Mama via the Memory Medallion I won, I also have to decide where it will be placed on her headstone.

Where would you place it? Here is my Mama's headstone:

I won!

2011-09-12T10:32:00.001-05:00

I guess now I will have to stop saying I never win anything. Because I did!

I recently made another trip home to address a few more needs for Daddy since he returned home after his hip surgery and stroke. While there I wasn't able to find time for blogging but I did comment/enter the drawing Memory Medallion held on their facebook page. The great thing is not only did I win but so did every person that commented.

I came home to find it waiting in my mail. Thank you, Memory Medallion!

I already knew where I would place it if I won....on my Mama's headstone. I have a few months before I plan to head back home so I should be able to get my information and photos uploaded before placing it on her headstone.

Here is what I received.

75 cent stones

2011-08-24T17:17:00.000-05:00

Did they ever purchase them?

Hutchinson News 3/12/1896

I don't think so because the original potter's field is pretty bare.

Eastside Cemetery

DCW's You Tube Channel

2011-08-23T15:55:00.000-05:00

Just wondering... do you have a You Tube channel?

I do. I haven't really used it, like I had planned when I created it 2 years ago, and hope to change that in the future.

Here is a short picture video. I love the somber music.

Digital Cemetery Walk's You Tube channel.

Wiltse Children

2011-08-23T15:08:00.001-05:00

In lot 1125 of Eastside Cemetery are the unmarked graves of siblings Edward [1914-1916] and Erma May [1920-1921], children of Earl and Emma Wilson Wiltse. The Wiltse family later moved to California.

Sadly, unmarked graves are a common find among the nearly 13,000 burials here. Last night we took a drive to enjoy the cooler weather and I made a quick stop to visit the children.

I was able to find a brief mention of their deaths -

Hutchinson News
4/10/1916
I didn't find another notice and he was interred
the next day according to the cemetery records.

Her name is Erma May

Hutchinson News
7/8/1921

Isn't this a beautiful photo of Edward!?

The only census that Edward will be found in:

1915 Reno County, Kansas State Census

My thanks to fellow RCGS member, Kathy Floren, for granting me permission to use Edward's photo in this post. She shared her Wiltse family with me for use in our society quarterly.

Where's Waldo

2011-08-20T22:53:00.002-05:00

sorry...couldn't resist.

Waldo Mausoleum
Elmwood Cemetery

Samuel Perry Dinsmoor

2011-08-19T03:26:00.025-05:00

I wanted to share the rest of the information I found while researching Dinsmoor and featuring his mausoleum.

Samuel Perry Dinsmoor
3/8/1843 - 7/20/1932
Parents: William Anderson and Laura Laodicia Tubbs Dinsmoor

KSHS Kansapedia

Today the Garden of Eden in Lucas is considered one of the best grassroots arts sites in the United States. Newspaper articles of the 1920s and 1930s refer to creator, Samuel P. Dinsmoor as the "Second Adam." A retired schoolteacher and farmer, as well as a disabled Civil War veteran, Dinsmoor spent the last 25 years of his life constructing what he called "the most unique home, for living or dead, on earth." In 1907 Dinsmoore built his "cabin home" in the small central Kansas community of Lucas. Using 113 tons of cement, Dinsmoor went on to create the "Garden of Eden," depicting in sculpture his interpretation of the Bible and modern civilization as interpreted through his populist views.

The information available concerning Dinsmoor's early life is at best sketchy. We know he was born near Coolville, Ohio, on March 8, 1843. He served in the Union army during the Civil War observing 18 major battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg and the capture of Robert E. Lee. He taught school for five years in Illinois. On August 24, 1870 he married Mrs. Frances. A. (Barlow) Journey, a widow of considerable means. At some point in time Dinsmoor took up farming, moving to Kansas in the fall of 1888. For some unrecorded reason he moved to Nebraska in the fall of 1890 only to return to Russell County, Kansas the following year. In 1905 he retired and moved his family into town buying the quarter block in Lucas that was to become the "Garden of Eden." In the spring of 1917 the first Mrs. Dinsmoor died. Alone and deeply involved in the construction of the "Garden," Dinsmoor hired a young Czechoslovakian woman named Emilie Brozek as a housekeeper. When Emilie was twenty years old she married Dinsmoor, who was then 81. The marriage produced two children.

Although neither an architect nor an engineer, at age 64 Samuel P. Dinsmoor built his "cabin home." The home itself is quite remarkable, built like a log cabin out of native limestone. With the completion of the "cabin home," Dinsmoor set about to create the intertwining concrete sculptures that became his "Garden of Eden." He erected scaffolding and worked alone, hiring an assistant only to mix cement. He wanted the "Garden" to be durable so he began with steel reinforcements covered with chicken wire. The entire sculpture, which consists of more than 150 statues supported by 29 cement trees, stands approximately 40 feet high. On the west side Dinsmoor depicted his personal understanding of the Bible. The north side of the property tells the story of modern civilization. To further explain his views, Dinsmoor published a small guide book called. Pictorial History of the Cabin Home in Garden of Eden.

http://www.kansasmemory.org/item/602

I have not found a copy in public domain to use, but here you can see a copy of the double exposure of Dinsmoor gazing upon himself in the casket.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1st wife: Frances Fanny Ann Barlow Journey.

Shared

2nd wife: Emilie J. Brozek
Children: Living daughter, John W.

A view of Samuel Perry Dinsmoor, 1843-1932, standing next to what appears to be a coffin-shaped concrete slab and a lid inscribed with the Freemasons' square and compass symbol and the name "Dinsmoor." Dinsmoor was a Civil War veteran and, subsequently, a teacher, sculptor, and landscape artist in Lucas, Kansas. He created "The Garden of Eden" on his property in Lucas and constructed over 200 concrete sculptures there which depict his views about Populism and religion. The garden is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Date: Between 1905 and 1932

Callnumber: FK2.R8 , L.93 , *8

KSHS Identifier: DaRT ID: 602

Item Identifier: 602

Naismith - Inventor of Basketball

2011-08-18T15:13:00.003-05:00

James Naismith - Part 1
Inventor of Basketball
Memorial Park Cemetery
Lawrence, KS

KSHS

There are many places online to read more on Mr. Naismith

Wikipedia

James A. Naismith (November 6, 1861 – November 28, 1939) was a Canadian sports coach and innovator. He invented the sport of basketball in 1891 and is often credited with introducing the first football helmet. He wrote the original basketball rulebook, founded the University of Kansas basketball program, and lived to see basketball adopted as an Olympic demonstration sport in 1904 and as an official event at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin.

Born in Ontario, Canada, Naismith studied physical education in Montreal before moving to the United States, where he developed basketball in late 1891 while enrolled at the International YMCA Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. Naismith also studied medicine in Denver, taking his MD in 1898 before moving to the University of Kansas. Following a number of years as a faculty member and part-time basketball coach—during the sport's fledgling years (1898–1907)—at the University of Kansas, Naismith moved on to further academic obligations at that university, where he also served as the Athletic Director for the Kansas Jayhawks. He became a U.S. citizen in 1925.

Kansas History Website

James Naismith devised a set of thirteen rules of basketball:
The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands, but never with the fist.
A player cannot run with the ball. The player must throw it from the spot on which he catches it, allowance to be made for a man running at good speed.
The ball must be held in or between the hands. The arms or body must not be used for holding it.
No shouldering, holding, pushing, striking or tripping in any way of an opponent. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall count as a foul; the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made or, if there was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game. No substitution shall be allowed.
A foul is striking at the ball with the fist, violations of Rules 3 and 4 and such as described in Rule 5.
If either side make three consecutive fouls it shall count as a goal for the opponents (consecutive means without the opponents in the meantime making a foul).
Goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from the ground into the basket and stays there, providing those defending the goal do not touch or disturb the goal. If the ball rests on the edge and the opponents move the basket, it shall count as a goal.
When the ball goes out of bounds, it shall be thrown into the field and played by the first person touching it. In case of dispute the umpire shall throw it straight into the field. The thrower-in is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer, it shall go to the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on them.
The umpire shall be judge of the men and shall note the fouls and notify the referee when three consecutive fouls have been made. He shall have the power to disqualify men according to Rule 5.
The referee shall be the judge of the ball and decide when it is in play in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
The time shall be two 15-minute halves with five minutes' rest between.
The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winners.

Kansas State Historical Society

James Naismith was born November 6, 1861, in Almonte, Ontario, Canada to John and Margaret (Young) Naismith. Orphaned at the age of nine, he was raised by his uncle, Peter Young....

On June 20, 1894, Naismith married Maude Sherman. They had five children....

His original basketball rules were fewer than 600 words; today the rules contain more than 30,000 words....

Inventors.About.com

U.S. patent #1,718,305 was granted to G.L. Pierce on June 25, 1929 for the "basketball" used in the game. Click link to see a photo.

Such a simple stone.

I was expecting a typical memorial park style cemetery but was saddened at how "blah" it was. Most of the flat stones had dying weeds on them which looked liked they had been sprayed long past when needed. I know we have had many hot days here in the midwest but this was a parched and sad looking cemetery.

Memorial Park, Oak Hill & Maple Grove Cemetery Interments

Memorial Park Cemetery Map [PDF]

Photos Published

2011-08-16T11:04:00.000-05:00

Two of my cemetery photos were published with an article in The Hutchinson News on 8/14/2011 and one with the online edition. Thanks, Amy!

I'm about a third of the way to having my photos online at my DCW flickr site.

More Garden of Eden

2011-08-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

My other photos focused on the mausoleum at the Garden of Eden created by Samuel Perry Dinsmoor. Here are a few others showing the grounds and the cement figures he created over the years, along with a snapshot of the room in which he died and backside of the mausoleum.

Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden

2011-08-11T12:08:00.001-05:00

Additional information for my Photo Monument article posted today at the GYR Online Journal.

Samuel Perry Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden
Lucas, Kansas

One of the 8 Wonders of Kansas

History excerpt from the website:

Samuel Perry Dinsmoor was born on March 8, 1843, in Ohio. He served in the Civil War as a nurse in the Union Army. After the war, Dinsmoor returned to Ohio and soon joined the Masonic Lodge. Joining this organization was a significant development in his philosophical outlook on life. He had grown up in a very religious home, but, like many who witnessed the inexplicable slaughter of the Civil War, began searching for other ways to understand humankind.

Inside the log cabin mausoleum is his glass topped coffin where you can view his embalmed body. As expected, no photos are allowed inside the mausoleum.

Outside of the mausoleum is a cement angel that will carry him to heaven, if that is God's will.

Iola Daily Register 8/16/1927

In his self-published booklet, The Cabin Home, he describes the mausoleum in detail. At one time a flag topped it, but it is no longer there. Based on the photo included in the booklet I know it is this flag that sits outside of the mausoelum. See photo below - bottom left corner.

The booklet also states that his first wife is buried inside. Story has it he snuck into the cemetery and removed her body and placed inside the mausoleum, where he placed her in a steel vault and cemented it in.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

with his 2nd wife.

Notices of his death/will

The Hutchinson News
7/22/1932

Emporia Gazette
7/22/1932

Iola Daily Register
8/13/1932

An article about him published a few years before his death

Iola Daily Register 1927

American Revolution Soldier

2011-08-09T18:48:00.003-05:00

This cemetery, containing three graves, is surrounded by a busy intersection and used car lot.

Samuel Cooper
James Cooper, son
Mary Cooper, daughter

Columbus, GA

Timpoochee Barnard - Yuchi Leader

2011-08-08T13:28:00.001-05:00

[Great photo embeded from here]
I have this book "Phenix City".

Excerpt from Alabama Pioneers:

Timpoochee Barnard was a Yuchee chief, born about 1783 in the Creek Nation, died near Fort Mitchell in Alabama. He was the son of Timothy Barnard, who was the son of Captain John, commanding a company of rangers in Georgia, dying in that colony about 1768. Captain John Barnard may have been of Scotch birth, as possibly may have been the case with his son Timothy, who was born, conjecturally, about 1750...

Other online resources
Historic Collections of Georgia
Congressional edition
History of Alabama Vol 2

Organizing

2011-08-04T18:02:00.004-05:00

Circle Me!
Cemetery/Genealogy
Photography

I posted this earlier on my G+ stream.

Raise your hand if you have more than one blog.

I do! I blog about cemeteries, genealogy and photography. To organize myself online I decided to create a master blog to refer others to and let them decide which of my blogs they want to read. It also gives me a place to share something that isn't specific to my other blogs.

I created a QR code for the master blog [and placed it on my other blogs]. I plan to have a card made with this code, my email and cell phone number. Now it will be easy to share how to find me.

With the ease of creating QR codes I have some other ideas...more on that later.

Here is where I made my code: http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

Stop by and see what I'm talking about!

Oh, I downloaded my reader "Scan" for free from the app store for my iPad. When I upgrade my BlackBerry to Android this weekend I'll find a reader for it.

~cross-posting on my blogs~

No smart phone with a QR reader? Click Here

Waiting

2011-08-04T09:46:00.001-05:00

I've pre-ordered 2 books I've been waiting on. Great prices on Amazon.com.

Stories in Stone: New York by Douglas Keister

Final Thoughts: Eternal Beauty in Stone by John Thomas Grant

Mother Church

2011-08-03T09:07:00.000-05:00

This downtown church has just one burial.

Rev. Michael Cullinan
Church of the Holy Family
Columbus, GA

Interesting Bricks

2011-08-02T19:21:00.000-05:00

I came across these interesting bricks at the Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, GA.

New Book

2011-08-01T13:55:00.000-05:00

I've been in my hometown of Columbus, GA a lot in the last 2 1/2 months, since Daddy broke his hip and suffered a stroke. I had the opportunity to take a few walks through Linwood Cemetery and also picked up this book. I see something new every time I visit. I would love to photograph every stone there.

My blog header photo is taken from a tombstone at Linwood.

He Understands!

2011-07-15T09:41:00.001-05:00

Last night I realized my son does understand my love of cemeteries when I received this short email:

"Look what I found not too far from post"

I giggled as I replied "Ha ha. Been there. Keep looking."

What he didn't know was that during our visit in May, when he returned from Afghanistan, I had to find something to fill those hours he was busy and I too found [and quickly visited] this cemetery just a few miles outside of Ft. Campbell.

Now, this realization probably won't prevent future "eye rolls" but you never know, because hey, I recently discovered that my husband subscribes to this blog and reads my posts! There may be hope for my guys yet.

Captain John Crane

2011-07-13T10:52:00.002-05:00

Crane Cemetery

Last summer I spent a week in New York and found time to visit a few of the cemeteries. It was just as I imagined. Lots of wonderful old stones containing beautiful epitaphs and symbolism.

In this small cemetery is Captain John Crane, an American Revolutionary war soldier.

Marion Bailey - The Photographer

2011-07-12T07:59:00.004-05:00

Marion Bailey - Part 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marion Bailey - Part 2 [final]

Ethel, Marion, Edna, Mary, Edith

Read the rest of this post>>

Google+

2011-07-11T16:37:00.001-05:00

I'm not one to jump quickly on the newest bandwagon, so I surprised myself that I did with the Google+ Project. Perhaps it was because of my use of Google and its products. My blogs and facebook are what I'm using these days. I never found a need for Twitter and others.

I've seen several blog posts about how it compares to facebook and will give it a little time before I make a decision on whether it has value for what I do or is more work.

For now I am building my circle of genealogy and cemetery friends. I do like that I can group people and share my posts to a particular circle only.

So, if you follow this blog and are experimenting with Google+ circle me.

Ellsworth / Dukelow Lot

2011-07-10T19:36:00.000-05:00

Eastside Cemetery

William Ralph Ellsworth 1884 – 1919

Lillian R. Peck Ellsworth Bovee 1888 – 1970

Thelma M. Rittgers 1908 – 1995

William T. Dukelow 1943 –

Evelyn C. Ellsworth Dukelow 1910 – 2008

Samuel G. Dukelow 1917 – 2003

Aged 500

2011-07-10T10:51:00.002-05:00

I'm aged 500..........500 posts that is!

I started this blog in September 2008. It was my way of sharing the interesting cemeteries and headstones I find on my cemetery walks. I never would have guessed it would lead to being voted as a best genealogy blog for 2011 by Family Tree Magazine readers.

Crawford Cemetery

Here's hoping you'll remember me for the next 500!

Davis Cemetery

2011-07-10T10:40:00.001-05:00

Davis Cemetery
Hwy 80
Several miles west of the East Alabama Speedway

Don't blink or you'll miss it.

14 interments on Find A Grave.

Confirmed: Nuts!

2011-07-09T14:56:00.002-05:00

Most of you that read my cemetery blog are also genealogists. Well, I've done it. What you ask? Put my own genealogy research back at the top of the list. I have been involved in other things for too many years and I haven't done much research.

I have found many ancestors through the census, wills and dusty old marriage books. I know that many others are waiting to be discovered.

I'm starting with moving my data, the hard way, to RootsMagic, which I've had sitting quietly on my computer for too long.

I plan to share this on a new blog: Piney Woods & Prairie Winds

Piney Woods & Prairie Winds: Southern Girl Marries Midwestern Boy

There isn't much there, yet. I do have a list of the direct ancestors that will make an appearance. Since it's been a while that my files have been opened and used it will be like rediscovering the treasures I've filed away in the past.

I hope you'll stop by and visit me as I continue my journey.

Beneath the silent tomb

2011-07-09T14:39:00.000-05:00

In remembrance of
Little
Oscar R. Carden
Son of
Mr. & Mrs. S. C. Carden
Born
Oct 30, 1901
Died
Dec 2, 1909

Godwin Cemetery

Those little lips so sweet to kiss
Are closed forever now
Those sparkling eyes that shone so bright
Beneath that pearly brow
That little heart that beat so high
Free from all care and gloom
Are hidden now from those he loved
Beneath the silent tomb

What do you do?

2011-07-08T09:21:00.001-05:00

I follow a lot of blogs. And on different subjects like: cemeteries, photography, genealogy, cooking, etc. I wonder if anyone ever looks through my list and finds one with an interesting name and clicks on it? Then I wonder what they think when they land on one, after another, that is stale and hasn't had a new post in a very long time. Do they bother with many more? Isn't this hurting those hidden jewels on my list that post and share good things on a regular basis?

I'm sure most people start blogs with good intentions only to let it fade to memory. A good example is when The Graveyard Rabbit Association hit the web and new blogs were popping up daily. Sadly, many of those blogs haven't had updates in a long, long time. I'm not picking on anyone, just using this group as an example since I'm posting this on my own cemetery blog. We all go through dry spells or life happens, like what is going on with my daddy's health that requires a lot of my time.

So, is it time to do some blog following cleaning? I think so. Not a fun task to add to my to-do list. But I think it will better serve me and others.

And, that leads me to wonder...do I follow your blog? If not, tell me so I can correct that. I appreciate each and every one of you that take time to read what I share.

What do you do, if anything, about your blog following list?

William Clark

2011-07-07T17:29:00.000-05:00

When I visited this cemetery I left wondering if I would find any other information online that would tell me the person behind the stone. Thankfully a record can be found at Find A Grave, which includes the obituary of William Clark.

William Clark
b. April 26, 1792
d. July 11, 1881
Williams Road Cemetery
aka Peddy-Jones-Clark Cemetery
Columbus, GA

Although he sleeps

2011-07-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

William H. Lassiter
Feb 6, 1873 - Jan 25, 1918
Ladonia Baptist Church Cemetery

Although he sleeps
his memory doth live.
And cheering comfort
to his mourners give.
He followed virtue as
his truest guide.
Lived as a christian -
as a christian died.

Grave of the Presidents

2011-07-06T00:08:00.003-05:00

In 1977 I took a school trip to Washington, D. C. I remember visiting the grave of George and Martha Washington but no longer have the photographs taken that day. Seems all but 3 or 4 of those photos have disappeared over the years.

So, thanks to the school trip photos taken in 1978 by my husband, Barry, I share the following:

Mount Vernon. Photographed 1978

The grave of the first and greatest of the presidents is that which needs the briefest description. So familiar is every American with the scene and story of Mount Vernon. The vault, which was built in obedience of the provisions of Washington’s will, is a roomy brick vault, with an arched roof, very simple in design and construction, and so substantial as to promise to endure for another century. Through an iron gate the two sarcophagi are seen; on a marble tablet in its arch is the inscription:

Within this enclosure rest the remains
of
General George Washington

The coffins, which lie in the open vestibule of the vault proper, are of Pennsylvania marble; that of Washington bears an American shield, the other but two words – “Martha Washington.” A few feet behind them is the vault door, bearing the inscription: “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

Hutchinson News 9/19/1878

Tomb of George Washington. Taken 1978.

From the will of George Washington:

The family Vault at Mount Vernon requiring repairs, and being improperly situated besides, I desire that a new one of Brick, and upon a larger Scale, may be built at the foot of what is commonly called the Vineyard Inclosure, on the ground which is marked out. In which my remains, with those of my deceased relatives (now in the old Vault) and such others of my family as may chuse to be entombed there, may be deposited. And it is my express desire that my Corpse may be Interred in a private manner, without parade, or funeral Oration.

What President graves have you visited and photographed? I've been to Washington, Kennedy, Eisenhower and Roosevelt.

Remembering Walter

2011-07-05T14:46:00.001-05:00

In the Old Langdon Cemetery lies a crumbled tombstone. Thankfully, someone placed a metal marker on the grave so that we would know the person resting there.

Usually I will see an interesting or sad headstone and look for an obituary or other record to learn more about the person. This time I came across the obituary and checked to see if our genealogical society had the death recorded and if I had a photo since this cemetery has been completely photographed. And my answer was yes to both of those questions.

We know his name is Walter from the marker. Perhaps the original stone also had his name on it. This little guy died a horrible death.

Obituary of Walter Dillard

G. M. Dillard’s little boy, about sixteen months old, pulled a bowl of boiling turnip broth over into its face, on last Monday, and was so badly scalded by it that he died on Wednesday. The mother had just set it out of his reach, as she thought. He was buried in the Langdon cemetery on Thursday. Dr. A. B. Fryrear preaching his funeral. The bereaved parents have the sympathies of a large circle of friends. B. P. Hanan, April 12, 1880.

The Hutchinson News
April 22, 1880

Online Map

2011-07-04T17:10:00.000-05:00

Online resource: Muscogee County, GA Cemetery Map

Memorial Art, Ancient and Modern

2011-07-03T16:52:00.001-05:00

Online resource: Google eBook.
Read online or download as PDF

Memorial Art, Ancient and Modern
by Harry Augustus Bliss, 1912

Illustrations and descriptions of the
worlds most notable examples of
cemetery memorials.

Chapters

Famous Ancient Memorials
The Mausoleums of the World
The Sarcophagus
The Exedra in Memorial Design
The Cross
The Tablet
Sculpture and its Relation to the Present
The Obelisk and Square Monument
Architectural orders in Monumental Work
Suggestions on Lettering
Mouldings and Comparison of Architectural Orders
Glossary

Soldier of the South

2011-06-30T00:14:00.001-05:00

Linwood Cemetery

Charles Gordon Flournoy
Born
December 24, 1844
Died
April 5, 1902
Soldier of the South
Nelson Rangers

Coffin Headstone

2011-06-29T01:55:00.001-05:00

[I'm blogging without my resources; i.e. cemetery books]

Double Churches Cemetery

Cemeteries: A Source for History

2011-06-28T16:18:00.001-05:00

Read this article, by Curt Witcher, online. It is from the Jan/Feb 2005 issue of Ancestry Magazine, which is no longer published.

Cemeteries: A Source for History

Goslin Lot

2011-06-28T01:07:00.001-05:00

No visible stones mark these graves. The names and death dates are located on the gate.

Crawford Cemetery
Simon Goslin: died 11/17/1856
Mary G. Goslin: died 10/30/1868

A quick look at Ancestry.com reveals the name Simon Goslin in many Alabama land records and census and slave schedules. Before locating to Russell County Alabama they were across the river in Columbus, GA. Georgia marriage records list a Simon Goslin to Mary G. Bivins on 1/19/1826 in Baldwin, GA.

Box Tomb

2011-06-27T10:01:00.000-05:00

My photo of this box / chest tomb is misleading. It looks large in the photo but it is actually about the size of a laundry basket. There were a couple of small ones in this cemetery.

Anderson G. Jones
Son of FG & S Jones
7/31/1856 - 10/1/1857
Crawford Cemetery

Smith Infants

2011-06-24T15:09:00.000-05:00

Hello! It's been a long while since I've had time to post anything. I've been in Georgia a few weeks. My Daddy broke his hip and suffered a stroke following the surgery. My time has been occupied trying to figure out the care he will need in the near future.

Before Daddy moved to rehab he was in the hospital which happens to be close to my favorite cemetery to visit when I'm home: Historic Linwood Cemetery. I was able to sneak away for some fresh air and took a stroll through Linwood, with my camera, of course.

Much has to be determined and decided in the weeks ahead but I'm now able to take some time to catch my breath. I hope to stop and visit the many other cemeteries around here during my time to myself. A good way to get outside and exercise.

Grave of the Smith Infants:

To the memory of our three infant children
H. J. & M. W. Smith
Linwood Cemetery

This is the face of genealogy.

2011-06-05T17:10:00.000-05:00

Posting at the request of Geneabloggers.

Jessie Nell Howard Snell - My Grandma
Sara Estelle Snell Stafford - My Mama
Both are loved and missed.

You can read about the purpose of this post HERE.

Blogger Buzz: Add the +1 Button to Your Blog

2011-06-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

Blogger Buzz: Add the +1 Button to Your Blog

Newest blog feature...

Our Pet

2011-06-01T16:33:00.000-05:00

I'm still here! These last few weeks have been busy. Monday we took a day trip and had a picnic. I was able to stop in at a few cemeteries along the way.

Here is one that caught my eye at the Kanopolis Cemetery:

Our Pet
Jessie M. Southworth
Oct 16, 1910
Aug 7, 1913

Flowers for Mama

2011-05-25T22:05:00.000-05:00

Last week we took our son to see his grandparents. He hadn't seen them since the year before he deployed, so it was important to make this trip during his first leave.

While there I took flowers to my Mama. It saddens me that I can't do it as often as I'd like. I'm about 1,050 miles from my hometown of Columbus, GA. I wanted to share something with her and added a bird to the flowers. Those that know me know my yard and gardens are designed with the birds in mind. A simple joy in life.

I love you and miss you dearly, Mama. Till we meet again.

Riverdale Cemetery

All Souls Day

2011-05-23T03:42:00.023-05:00

Celebrated the 4th Monday in May

The South’s All Souls Day

In Columbus, Georgia, on April 9, 1866, the first anniversary of General Lee’s surrender, the ladies there did their honors, Mrs. Lizzie Rutherford Ellis of Columbus, Georgia, is credited for the first Confederate Memorial Day, along with Mrs. Anne Williams for her March 12, 1866, letter to the editor in the Columbus newspaper proposing the setting aside of April 26 annually as the observance of the South’s “All Soul’s Day”. Wikipedia

Read the rest of this post>>

Life has flavor

2011-05-20T16:31:00.002-05:00

Life has flavor the protected will never know

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West

As an Army Mom with a son that recently returned from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan, I was moved by this epitaph. Our soldiers that serve in war carry many burdens.

This is a fairly new cemetery. The first interment was in 2004. I was surprised however, to find a small and very old cemetery in a clump of trees. I hope I can find out a little more about it.

Photo Essay

2011-05-14T01:48:00.001-05:00

My post, Photo Monument: a photo essay, was posted over on the Online Journal of The Association of Graveyard Rabbits, where I served as online editor for a year.

Stop by if you have time. I share about the West Point Cemetery of Kingman County, Kansas.

Photo essay: A set or series of photographs that tell a story or evoke emotions in the viewer.

Antioch Dedication Memorial

2011-05-13T13:00:00.002-05:00

I finally got out to see the dedication stone. I would like to see this happen to more of our rural cemeteries. And, I'm glad that I was a part of it. I'd like to think we had the opportunity to leave it better than we found it.

Read the rest of this post>>

Happy Birthday, Coca Cola

2011-05-11T00:05:00.001-05:00

In 1866 John Stith Pemberton, a pharmacist, produced a syrup that we know today as Coke. Originally it was a coca wine called Pemberton's French Wine Coca.

Read the rest of this post>>

Murdered by a Southern Sympathizer

2011-05-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

Charles Dow murdered by Frank Colman.

Read about his murder at Wikipedia. It is also recorded in the Stony Point Church and Cemetery and Historic Hickory Point by Ruth Endacott Brown in 1968.

It is believed there were about 75 burials here at one time. As with any early day cemetery that is moved some were probably unknown and missed.

Charles was later moved to the Oakwood cemetery, along with his father who had been buried at Stony Point cemetery.

The Dow and Stony Point cemeteries are located in Baldwin, just outside of Lawrence. I hope to visit the Dow grave at Oakwood on a future visit to the area.

Died in Southsea England

2011-05-09T22:51:00.004-05:00

I have been researching my family history 12 years. I have never crossed the pond in my research. Does anyone have any connections to Southsea England?

Learn more about Southsea over at Wikipedia.

Vinita Cemetery

Dibbens lot

Anna Dibbens
Info online leads me to believe this is a cenotaph

Arthur Dibbens

Gertrude Dibbens

I am a big fan of Ancestry.com. I've been a subscriber since 2000. I use it for my personal research and also for people I want to know more about.

I found a passport record from October 1919 for Arthur and Anna, which includes his photo. This is most likely the trip in which she died.

Also at Ancestry.com are the following:
[Not sure if you can see without a subscription]

Their home at this link.
Anna's photo [Anna Ruth Jarman]
Anna & Arthur's photo

There are many more links to records, like census, for this family. I sure wish I could find my family this easy.

A quick stop in the rain

2011-05-06T14:04:00.003-05:00

What an awesome week. My precious son is home from Afghanistan. I am posting photos over on his blog http://www.dearclayton.blogspot.com/

On the way home I made a quick stop at Cottonwood to see if I could find more family headstones for Russ. I didn't find any on my quick walk in the rain. I wanted to check the graves surrounding his GG GF since my initial photographs were randomly taken as I walked through the old section.

Thank goodness this is not a close-up photo. After the long wait and sleepless nights and celebration of Clayton's return I traveled home a little frumpy looking with my hair pulled back and no make-up. I was exhausted.

I had my husband roll the stone over on the one that has fallen so I could check out the name. A couple of Benson's are buried to the left of his grave, shown in the foreground.

I hope to be back posting next week after I catch my breath!

On the road

2011-05-03T09:19:00.000-05:00

I have been busy lately. We traveled to Kentucky to see our son return home from Afghanistan after a year-long deployment. What a great day it was yesterday despite the cold and rain. I shared a short blog post over on the blog I've kept since our son deployed. Please stop by.

I had hoped to visit a new cemetery or two during my wait time but it has rained the entire time. Oh well, even that wasn't enough to dampen my spirits.

I'll be back soon!

Stories in Stone New York

2011-04-29T20:29:00.000-05:00

A sneak peek at Douglas Keister's new book:

I can't wait to add it to my library!

Confederate January Man

2011-04-27T08:52:00.000-05:00

From the August 1914 issue of Park and Cemetery and Landscape Gardening

Monument Humor

2011-04-26T16:29:00.001-05:00

From the October 1914 issue of Park and Cemetery and Landscape Gardening.

Click on photo to enlarge

Saving a Cemetery

2011-04-21T22:16:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I made the trip to the very SE corner of my county to see the Antioch Dedication Memorial that was installed last year.

While there, we crossed into the neighboring county and visited the Mulkey Cemetery*. A man walked across the dirt road to visit with us. He was the one that had restored and cares for the cemetery. What a pleasure it was to chat with him and see that there are others that care for our rural burying grounds.

Read the rest of this post>>

That was weird

2011-04-21T14:58:00.002-05:00

Not sure what happened with two of my blogs. I was working on posts, signed in, when I got a message those blogs didn't exist anymore. What? Huh? Sure they do.

I got a Google screen which gave me a message about suspicious activity and to change my password.
Anyone else have something weird like this happen? I've never had a virus and freaked. All appears okay now. Let's hope so.

Revisiting Antioch Cemetery

2011-04-21T13:16:00.000-05:00

I've blogged about this cemetery before. August 2009 and March 2010.

A little history...

I coordinate the cemetery projects for my genealogical society. The society compiled and published a cemetery book a couple of years after it was established in 1978. On the list was a cemetery without a name. Just listed with its location. It was listed as overgrown with few visible stones.

That wouldn't do. In my research I found an obituary that called it Antioch Cemetery. After discussion with the [self-nominated] caretaker [since 1980] we decided this was its name. Keith Neuway had cleared the site and installed a flag pole with a visitor's book tucked away in the box on the pole. Over the years he and neighbors have cared for the cemetery. The grass is always mowed and the flag on the pole at appropriate times of the year.

Read the rest of this post>>

Family Tree Magazine 2011 Best Genealogy Blogs

2011-04-18T08:36:00.000-05:00

I had a great start to my weekend. My husband came home from being out of town and took me to dinner. I had a facebook chat with my son. We are so excited that he returns home from Afghanistan in less than two weeks. And in the mail was the new issue of Family Tree Magazine. My blog is on page 23 as one of the 2011 best genealogy blogs for the cemetery category. I never would have guessed back in 2008 when I created my blog that it would find itself highlighted in my favorite genealogy magazine. It really is an honor. There was also an article on the FTM website about the 40 best genealogy blogs.

Thank you to everyone that voted for me. If you are visiting my blog because you found it listed in the magazine please leave me a note in the comments section so I will know that you stopped by. I hope you enjoy your visit here and will sign up to follow me as I share interesting headstones and cemeteries from my cemetery walks.

Stop by the Family Tree Magazine site where you will find many genealogy tools!

This is why

2011-04-14T14:07:00.000-05:00

It's a small world sometimes.

Shortly after I started my cemetery blog in 2008 the Association of Graveyard Rabbits made its appearance in blogland. A great place to meet people that share my interest. One of those people is Russ Worthington.

Yesterday when I posted the update on my flickr albums I never would have guessed that someone in New Jersey would connect to the photos I snapped in rural Kansas. But Russ did. When I read my email this morning I said to myself "this is why I do it." He also shared a public thank you on his blog and facebook.

The Cottonwood Cemetery is on the route we take to the big city about 3 1/2 hours away. I finally asked my husband to stop and give me 15 minutes in it after passing by so many times. When working with such a short time frame I always head to the old section and photograph what I can since those are the ones that are being lost to time and weather.

J. Whitall Reeve, GG GF of Russ, was born in PA and rests here in KS.

Bookshelf Updated

2011-04-14T13:31:00.000-05:00

I moved a book from wishlist to my bookshelf.

Enss, Chris. Tales Behind the Tombstones; The Deaths and Burials of the Old West’s Most Nefarious Outlaws, Notorious Women and Celebrated Lawmen. 2007.

I've peeked inside but will try to save it for a road trip coming up.

What interesting or favorite books do you have on your bookshelf?

Online Album Update

2011-04-13T22:29:00.002-05:00

I spent some time today uploading cemetery albums to my flickr site.

Out of 254 cemetery files 166 are now online, with over 12,500 photos. My flickr site is best viewed by collection which is by State - County. Within the collection are sets, which are each cemetery.

Military Monday

2011-04-11T12:46:00.003-05:00

Ellsworth Cemetery

Cemetery Closed

2011-04-07T12:18:00.000-05:00

Are you kidding me? Let's hope the city and preservation groups involved can save this cemetery.

Thanks to Stephanie at Southern Graves for sharing this link on facebook.

Huge Historic Cemetery Shuts Down : MyFoxPHILLY.com

Mary's Autograph Book - Part 4

2011-04-07T00:46:00.020-05:00

Death of Mary's son, Warren Fay.

Recap of Mary's children:

Helen V.: 1891 – 1891 [in same lot with Mary, Robinson & Warren]
Sidney Hill: 1888 - 1976
Warren Fay: 1892 - 1909 [drowned]
Leo Vern: 1894 - 1979

Drowns in the Pond

W. F. Bramwell Sinks While Friends on Shore Look On

At Stevens Place Saturday Evening, Occurs First Fatality in Fifteen Years

Brave Attempt at Rescue

Owner’s Son Jumps in, Clothes and All, But in Vain

A Poor Swimmer, the Boy Loses Plank, Use While in Deep Water

Read the rest of this post>>

Wednesday's Child

2011-04-06T09:36:00.000-05:00

Babe of C. C. & M. J. Dial 1867

Lonesome Dove Cemetery

Watching over me

2011-03-31T22:59:00.000-05:00

Wildmead Cemetery

I am learning to use Photoshop Elements 8. And in doing so how to add textures to my photos. I am loving it and how it can transform a photo. You can see more on my photo blog Digital Photo Walk.

Blogger Dynamic Views

2011-03-31T12:08:00.006-05:00

Blogger is offering 5 dynamic views for our blogs:

Mosaic
Flipcard
Timeslide
Sidebar
Snapshot

If you have the correct settings you can see your blog in 5 new views by adding the word view to the end of your url. Example: digitalcemeterywalk.blogspot.com/view

I looked at mine and while they are new and pretty, they don't include any of my sidebar items. There is a note in one post that advertising and other options will be added in the future.

Try it out on your blog and let me know what you think. Sidebar and Snapshot were the two I liked the best.

Learn more here:

EDIT:

I thought I'd show you 2 screen captures of this blog in Sidebar and Snapshot. Once you add the word view to the end of your url the new view will have a drop down menu [top right] where you can change and see all 5 views.

Other additions:

"...soon be able to customize and use for your blog..." is what the announcement said. So some people may want to change the overall appearance and layout of their blog. I guess it really depends on what you blog about and how it would be viewed in the new option.

Here is my wish list for Blogger:

Enable us to move all blogs under one sign-in / dashboard. I have 4 blogs - 2 on each sign-in / email.

Able to separate the blogs we follow, somehow. I have a genealogy / cemetery blog and follow blogs like that. I have a photo blog and follow blogs like it as well. My dashboard jumbles them all together.

Asking too much?

Oak Leaf Symbolism

2011-03-30T23:01:00.000-05:00

Friendship Cemetery

Fred E. Sillin
Dec 30,1884
Sep 8, 1905

Oak leaves can symbolize many things, including: strength, endurance, eternity, honor, liberty, hospitality, faith and virtue. [Stories in Stone. A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography. By Douglas Keister]

Mary's Autograph Book - Part 3

2011-03-25T20:41:00.008-05:00

While researching Mary's brother, Samuel, I found a school teacher listing for Mary A. Hill for the years 1884-1886 and believed this was my Mary. One of the pages in the autograph book says "dear teacher" and dated 1883. She married in 1887 and no listing is found under her married name so perhaps she settled down to be a farmer's wife.

In the 1885 state census her brother Samuel was listed as a teacher. Taking a second look at that census I now see the ditto ["] marks under his occupation that would also be for his sister, Mary below.

I was tickled with this discovery!

[School records are 1884 to 1966]

Read the rest of this post>>

When Cemetery Walks Cross in History

2011-03-24T01:44:00.003-05:00

Last week I was in Texas visiting family and took a cemetery walk at the Lonesome Dove Cemetery. One of the stones stated the woman was a survivor of the Ft. Parker Massacre. Reading the Wikipedia page on the event I was surprised to find it was about Cynthia Ann Parker's capture and life spent with the Comanche Indians, marrying a chief, Peta Nocona, and giving birth to Quanah Parker, who would become the last chief of the Comanche Indians.

Read the rest of this post>>

Buffalo Pitts Rollers

2011-03-23T21:34:00.000-05:00

Wonder if any were actually used in a cemetery?

The Modern Cemetery
March 1914

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T10:03:00.000-05:00

Medlin Cemetery

Mary's Autograph Book - Part 2

2011-03-22T17:33:00.003-05:00

I found a few treasures inside the autograph book last night. I can't wait to share them with you in a future post.

I wish Mary Hill was my ancestor. What a treasure this little book is. It saddens me that it found its way to an antique store. Most likely the result of an estate sale clean-out. [Just an assumption]

Today I am sharing an outline of her family and census abstracts. I love being able to fill in all the years available with the Kansas federal and state census. Census are one of my favorite research tools for genealogy. Snapshots in time.

Read the rest of this post>>

Mary's Autograph Book - Part 1

2011-03-21T21:59:00.000-05:00

I generally research a person and then share it here. This time I will take you along with me. I've peeked ahead and have some great finds...But wait...Let's start here:

Recently I discovered this autograph book from the early 1880's. I came upon it in a local antique store and it beckoned me to open it. Mary Hill. This is the name on the first page. Flipping through the pages I see them addressed to Mary or Mollie. So, it belonged to Mary "Mollie" Hill.
Read the rest of this post>>

Mocavo

2011-03-17T21:27:00.004-05:00

While I was out of town a new genealogy search engine launched...

About Mocavo

The world’s largest free genealogy search engine, Mocavo.com, provides genealogists access to the best free genealogy content on the web including billions of names, dates and places worldwide. Mocavo.com seeks to index and make searchable all of the world’s free genealogy information. While Mocavo.com discovers new sites every day, some of the existing sites searchable on Mocavo.com include genealogy message boards, family trees, state and local historical societies, the Library of Congress, National Archives, Ellis Island, Find A Grave, the Internet Archive, various U.S. state archives, and many tens of thousands of genealogy sites built by individuals. Similar to other search engines, Mocavo.com honors site owners by linking directly to their content.

I searched for my blog and it didn't come up, but a link from the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to my blog did. Perhaps it will get indexed soon. The search results happen fast.

I searched for my name and had 525 results. I didn't check all of them but those I did were for me on websites that I manage or posts and messages from days gone by. Other results:

Cemetery symbolism - 317
Kansas cemeteries - 1,725
Cemetery blog - 3,040

It will be interesting to see search results in the days ahead. Dick Eastman and Randy Seaver have reviews linked from the home page. Stop by and see how it can help you.

Read ABOUT Macavo on its blog.

Password?

2011-03-17T20:55:00.001-05:00

I felt like I was supposed to know the secret password to visit Stony Cemetery. The lane was blocked by cattle. They finally moo-ved. Hee hee!

I got a chance to take a few cemetery walks while visiting family in Texas earlier this week.

Denton Co.
Stony
Medlin

Tarrant Co.
Whites Chapel
Lonesome Dove

Welcome!

2011-03-11T17:52:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my new blog followers. I hope you'll stop by often and take a cemetery walk with me.

Dust off the Cemetery Kit / Cart

2011-03-11T14:25:00.003-06:00

Spring is in the air. At least today. A little cooler next week, but it will be here to stay soon. Right? I need to get my cemetery kit back in order. During the winter months I removed it from my SUV and so I need to get better organized. I showed you my cart back in 2009.

Read the rest of this post>>

We Interrupt This Blog

2011-03-10T14:23:00.000-06:00

Today I've:

screamed for joy
felt like fainting
prayed I wasn't dreaming

And lifted a prayer of thanks...for Clay's continued protection and safe return home...soon.

A date. I finally have a date! Subject to change, but a date! He is scheduled to leave Afghanistan April 25th, arriving back in the states about 5 days later. This has been a long journey. I have managed to endure because of my faith, family and friends.

I was so excited I just had to share...with everyone!

PFC Rodney Clayton Wall
101st Airborne