Dear Ladies,
I am sorry to be so long in replying, but I have just returned
to work after the long weekend. I am delighted to find that Kim is so
interested on cemetery preservation. I had no idea that our historic
cemeteries were in danger until I started looking for the graves of my
ancestors a few years ago. I have found several, but discovered that one had
been plowed under years ago, one is in the middle of a road planned to
connect a new development in Lexington, and another has been neglected to
the extent that the gravestones are no longer visible! At least three
locations had livestock trampling the graves and damaging the stones. There
are many historic cemeteries in Kentucky that are endangered or have even
been destroyed in the past due to negligence. Often times, the current owner
of the land is not a descendant of those buried on the property, so they don’t
have an interest in preservation. There are laws that were meant to protect
the graves, but the laws are sometimes not enforced, or overlooked. Several
counties have Cemetery Boards that have been established for the purpose of
protecting small family cemeteries which are not maintained by an
incorporated cemetery. Not every county has a board in place. The ones that
do exist administer and oversee projects in their county.
I don’t have direct answer to your question, but can tell you of
a few options. The Office of the Governor, Department for Local Government
has granted funds to be used for cemetery preservation in the past. In fact,
I recently worked with the Clark County Cemetery Board to apply for a grant
for the preservation of the graves of two Revolutionary War veterans. We
were awarded the grant this month. I know that there is a limited amount
available for this and with the current budget constraints, the only reason
funds were available this cycle, is that there was a small amount left that
came from a previous source. It is not a line item in the state budget. It
could be that you could donate to that fund. Those monies are used
throughout the state for various projects and focus on the small family
cemeteries that would not otherwise have funds available to them for
preservation & restoration. The contact in that department is Harry Carver
and his phone number is (502) 573-2383, ext 285. I just spoke to Mr. Carver
and they do accept donations. After the recent award of grants, his office
is out of money. Donations would be gratefully accepted.
(See
http://dlg.ky.gov/News/cemetery+preservation.htm for details of how
this program is administered.)
Another option is a program here at the Kentucky Historical
Society. For a number of years, KHS has collected data on cemeteries and
complied databases of information. KHS inherited a database from the
Attorney General’s Office. In addition, a task force has been formed to
determine the feasibility of merging several cemetery databases, which have
been compiled by different agencies at different times. The hope is that a
single format will be developed and all of the available information can be
stored in one location. That would enable genealogists and researchers the
ability to search for the locations of family cemeteries. It would also give
contractors or developers a source to determine if there are any cemeteries
on property that they wish to develop. Once this system is in place,
additional information could be uploaded from all of the counties across the
Commonwealth and continually updated. The contact here at KHS is Ann Johnson
and her number is (502) 564-1792, ext 4404. Ann also gives programs on
cemetery preservation around the state. KHS does accept donations and you
could specify the Cemetery Preservation Program, or the Cemetery
Documentation Project.
From the KHS website;
“Cemetery Preservation
Cemeteries are important historical assets that tell about a community’s
past. They hold valuable resources for historical and genealogical research.
More importantly, they are monuments to the people who once inhabited our
communities.
The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) provides support to communities across
the commonwealth to assist with the preservation and care of cemeteries and
gravestones. Through seminars that teach best practices in cemetery
preservation and educational materials that provide guidance and instruction
to local citizens, KHS partners with communities to preserve and promote
this important part of the state’s history and heritage.
Program Services
Census of Kentucky’s Cemeteries
The Cemetery Preservation Program is continuing the work begun by the
Kentucky Attorney General’s 2001 Cemetery Task Force to develop a
comprehensive survey of all cemeteries and burial sites in the state. Cites,
county historical societies, and other organizations are encouraged to work
with us to develop a database that will provide a permanent record of
Kentucky’s cemeteries and burial sites. Click on the link below to access
the census form.
Cemetery Census Form
Cemetery Preservation and Education Project
The program provides ongoing resources to Kentucky’s citizens and
organizations that are interested in the protection and preservation of our
historic cemeteries and gravesites.
The program provides:
· Educational materials about appropriate cleaning and repairing techniques
for old gravestones
· Seminars and symposia that bring together professionals and interested
individuals to discuss preservation issues and techniques as well as the
historical and cultural significance of Kentucky’s cemeteries and gravesites
· Support for projects that highlight the educational and historical
significance of our state’s cemeteries
· Advocacy across the state for the continued care and preservation of our
historic cemeteries
For more information, contact Ann Johnson, AnnG.Johnson(a)ky.gov, or
502-564-1792, ext. 4404.”
I hope that this information helps. I would be happy to discuss this further
with you. Thank you for your interest in cemetery preservation. Thank you
for your help in protecting our heritage.
Leslie Miller
Membership Associate
Kentucky Historical Society
100 W. Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-1792 ext.4490
(502) 564-4701 fax
leslie.miller(a)ky.gov
history.ky.gov
Did You Know...that Kentucky Ancestors, published by the Kentucky Historical
Society, is the oldest publication devoted to Kentucky genealogy?
Experience the Unbridled Spirit of Kentucky.
www.kentuckyunbridledspirit.com
Visit
GoodSearch.com, choose the Kentucky Historical Society Foundation as
your designated cause, and then search the Web. The Kentucky Historical
Society Foundation receives a contribution for searches you conduct from
GoodSearch.com.
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From: Sharon Withers [mailto:smwithers@insightbb.com]
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 5:18 PM
To: slimkim(a)gci.net
Cc: Miller, Leslie (Historical Society)
Subject: RE: Kentucky Cemeteries
Hi Kim,
I am forwarding this to Hart Chapter Regent Leslie Miller. She works at the
Kentucky Historical Society and is very involved in cemetery preservation.
If anyone would know, it would be Leslie.
Thank you for treasuring your Kentucky roots. I hope you have a chance to
visit soon.
Sincerely,
Sharon
From: slimkim(a)gci.net [mailto:slimkim@gci.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 2:36 AM
To: smwithers(a)insightbb.com
Subject: Kentucky Cemeteries
I've been enquiring on several rootsweb lists I belong to, about where can I
donate money to be used for services of Kentucky cemeteries. People were
talking about local & county cemeteries where I have to donate to each
individual one. I wanted one location I could donate to where the funds
could be used for any cemetery in Kentucky in need. So many seem to be in
desparate need of repairs, etc. I can't see discriminating against one for
another. I don't want to send out 10 different checks for 10 different
cemeteries or organizations. It seems to me there ought to be one place for
this kind of thing. Do you know of any? If there isn't anyplace, what can
be done so there is?
Thank you kindly. Kim slimkim(a)gci.net
P. S. All of my maternal grandfather's family was born & died in Ky. So
this is important to me.