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Lois:
The requirement that the county recorder maintain a cemetery record (which
Newton Co. does have) may be listed in state statutes under the duties of the
recorder, and not where the rest of the cemetery laws are found. I know of
no agency other than the state board of accounts that would have any
administrative requirements for the recorder, and those would be regarding
their financial procedures.
This book used to be used for recording cemetery plot owners, but now that is
done (at least in Newton Co.) in the regular deed books with the other land
transactions. If a cemetery book was not used, the regular deed books should
have the transactions of cemetery ownership. Also, the recorder's
miscellaneous record book could have the records of the organization of the
cemetery associations in the county, if any were formed.
Kyle D. Conrad, Clerk
Newton Circuit and Superior Courts
Lois:
Thank you for sharing David's beautifully written letters with us. They
were touching, insightful letters and, sadly, only too true. I cannot
believe anyone could be offended by his well chosen words.
I know vandalism is a reality, but I could never understand how
destroying something of beauty and value could be so much fun! I was
taught, (as were my children) that cemeteries were gardens of memories,
and that you never left those gardens with bitter memories of you.
Thanks again for sharing David's letters.
Pat Bryant
Ernie:
That was an EXCELLENT piece on cemetery property ownership. Well done!
I have one question. You made the statement, "If you are lucky, your county
has a "Cemetery Records" book, as required by State law." Maybe I'm falling
down on the job here, but WHICH state law? Do you have a citation of
Indiana Code? Is this perhaps an Administrative Regulation? Unfortunately,
I am not familiar with those, but I'll do what it takes to track it down and
disseminate that information.
Thanks again.
Lois
Hello All,
I have decided to do this in parts to keep it from becoming too lengthy.
This will also allow time for comments and suggestions from others who may
know an easier or better way to accomplish the task at hand. This first
part also deals in legal issues which Lois and others will be better at
resolving. Restoring a cemetery involves more than cutting the brush and
standing stones up. You must have a plan to ensure your project is a success.
Step 1: ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP
With some cemeteries this will be easy, but most abandoned cemeteries
became that way because an association became defunct; the association does
not know it owns the property or does not care; the property is privately
owned; the property has no current owner of record.
A trip to your Court House may be sufficient to establish ownership. Start
with the County Surveyors office to see if the cemetery is platted, and
determine the legal description of the land. (Section, Township, Range)
With this information, a trip to the Auditors office or Tax Assessor will
determine if the cemetery is platted as a seperate parcel of land, and who,
if anyone, is paying the real estate taxes.
On the cemeteries I have researched, most have fallen into two categories:
The cemetery is not platted separately, and the owner of the land around it
is the owner of the cemetery and pays taxes on it; The cemetery is platted
separately, but is listed only as "XYZ Cemetery", and no one pays taxes on it.
In the case of private ownership, the next step is to approach the
landowner with your ideas to clean up and restore the cemetery. Remember,
you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. In the case of reluctant or
un-cooperative landowners, the new cemetery law will come into play. Also
keep in mind that, by law, the Township Trustee is prohibited from spending
monies on private property. Your funding must come from other sources.
In the case of a platted cemetery, one must search the Deed books in the
Recorders office to determine who the last owner was. If you are lucky,
your county has a "Cemetery Records" book, as required by State law.
Gibson County does not. If you are not experienced with searching deed
books, an Abstract & Title Company may be your best bet.
In the case of cemeteries dating back to the early 1800's, you may be able
to find the original owner of the land, and run the deeds forward. I have
found old deeds that mention the "Family Burial Plot", and subsequent deeds
have no mention of the cemetery. In this case, the present landowner is
the owner of the cemetery.
Other deeds have the "family burial Plot" excepted from the deed, sometimes
giving dimensions of the plot or a legal description, and sometimes even
the name of the cemetery. All subsequent deeds have the property excepted
as a cemetery, but no owner is given. In this case, the cemetery is the
property of the Township.
If you find that the cemetery belonged to a Church or Association that no
longer exists, the Township is the owner of the cemetery. If the Church or
Association still exists, but is not active or has no funds, check with
your Township Trustee. There are certian rules and laws that apply.
In the case of one cemetery that I was researching in Gibson County, I
found an 1884 deed, complete with legal description and surveyed
dimensions, where the cemetery had been conveyed to the Trustees of a
Church that is still very much active, and the present Trustees were not
aware of it! The Church is now assisting in cleanup efforts.
The INPCRP Home Page lists the cemetery laws, and it is a good idea to
familiarize yourself with them before you start. Also discuss your project
with your Township Trustee. If your county has an INPCRP Coordinator, be
sure you work with them.
Comments, suggestions, ideas and corrections are invited. Post to the
list, or e-mail me at elasley(a)sigecom.net
Ernie Lasley
Next time in part 2, Surveys, Records, and the cleanup process.
I am very happy to adopted Gibson Co. I have many great grand family burned
there. If you need any help let me know.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ernie & Connie Lasley <elasley(a)sigecom.net>
To: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Wednesday, April 21, 1999 7:37 PM
Subject: [INPCRP-L] Re: Gibson Co. has been adopted
>Hello Lois and others,
>
>I'm back from Seattle! Please note the new e-mail address. My ISP sold
>out to SIGECOM, thus a new address to send to several hundred people:
>
>elasley(a)sigecom.net
>
>Ernie
>
>At 08:36 PM 4/12/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>Ernie Lasley <elasley(a)comsource.net> has graciously agreed to become the
>>INPCRP Coordinator for Gibson County. He had to unsub for a week or two,
>>but he'll be back soon.
>>
>>Thanks, Ernie.
>>
>>Lois
>>
>>---------------------------------
>>The on-line indexes for the Clark County Cemeteries are now SEARCHABLE:
>> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
>>Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
>> http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
>"Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you
have."
> Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
>
>
I've searched pretty thoroughly, but I can't find it right now. Somewhere
on the Association of Gravestone Studies site, a long while back, I found a
comment that stayed with me:
"A neglected cemetery is an invitation to vandalism."
I agree. If it is obvious at first glance that no one cares about a
cemetery, why should our young people respect it?
Lois
Relying on my trusty search engine (www.dogpile.com), I found the following
information on the book, Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for Conserving
Historic Cemeteries. I've already ordered my copy. Cost: $14.75
(including S/H) in Canadian dollars (not sure of the exchange rate).
Even if you don't order a copy, go to:
http://www.gov.on.ca/MCZCR/english/culdiv/heritage/memories.htm
to see the excellent sample drawing showing details of repairing a busted
flat-piece marker, one of the most common repairs I've seen required.
Further info on the book:
"The Heritage Properties and Museum Programs Unit of the Cultural Programs
Branch, Province of Ontario, has just released their excellent guide book,
Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries. The
guide has been written by specialists in masonry conservation, and provides
technical information on common tombstone repairs, as well as general
information about grave markers and their construction. Copies are only $10
each (Canadian), plus shipping and handling."
Lois
---------------------------------
The on-line indexes for the Clark County Cemeteries are now SEARCHABLE:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
Thanks, Lois, glad you tracked it down.
>
>Relying on my trusty search engine (www.dogpile.com), I found the following
>information on the book, Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for Conserving
>Historic Cemeteries. I've already ordered my copy. Cost: $14.75
>(including S/H) in Canadian dollars (not sure of the exchange rate).
>
>Even if you don't order a copy, go to:
>http://www.gov.on.ca/MCZCR/english/culdiv/heritage/memories.htm
>to see the excellent sample drawing showing details of repairing a busted
>flat-piece marker, one of the most common repairs I've seen required.
>
>Further info on the book:
>
>"The Heritage Properties and Museum Programs Unit of the Cultural Programs
>Branch, Province of Ontario, has just released their excellent guide book,
>Landscapes of Memories: A Guide for Conserving Historic Cemeteries. The
>guide has been written by specialists in masonry conservation, and provides
>technical information on common tombstone repairs, as well as general
>information about grave markers and their construction. Copies are only $10
>each (Canadian), plus shipping and handling."
>
>Lois
>---------------------------------
>The on-line indexes for the Clark County Cemeteries are now SEARCHABLE:
> http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
>Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
> http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
>
>
>
>==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
>"Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you have."
> Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
>
>
Dale
Kyle and all:
Just one more for the night ... I had to pass along this story. We visited
a cemetery which had, with its previous owner, been overrun by cattle - it
was the only shady spot in the entire pasture. With the help of the
township trustee we got the owner to put up a fence and the hardpan mud is
gradually reverting back to normal undergrowth. We stopped by to visit and
the new owner told us how much he enjoyed the cemetery and how he wanted to
fix it up - would it be OK to run a tiller through it and plant grass?
We tried very hard to suppress our expressions of horror as we coaxed him
into a less drastic plan of action. <g>
>
>1) Proper method of destroying growth. I saw a posting on here a few weeks
>ago regarding plants that may exist in these cemeteries that don't grow
>anywhere else. My idea would be to go in and kill everything so that you
can
>see what you're doing and probe for buried stones.
>
Dale
Kyle and all:
We've had the same concerns - is it better to leave it hidden? Our
concensus, and observation after visiting many of them, is that the kids
with the spray paint know where they are anyway. When the locals see us
caring about them they 1) can see that someone else cares about them and 2)
they know that someone is keeping an eye on them, so they can't get away
with desecrating them. We go for full visibility.
>In regards to the posts from the CEMETERY list on rootsweb. I felt they
were
>very thoughtful and true to life. Living 3 hours from the cemetery that I'm
>trying to restore, I have the same concerns about what will happen when we
>are done. When I first located this cemetery, I doubt that anyone knew it
>was there. While it was in deplorable condition, there was little doubt
that
>my ancestors were 'resting in peace'. Now that someone has reset and
painted
>one of my ancestor's stones and we've gone in and cut the trees and brush,
>the cemetery is visible from the road. It does concern me that this may
>serve as an invitation for trouble. However, since some of the neighbors in
>the area have ancestors buried in the cemetery, I feel confident they will
do
>what they can if they notice anyone back there disturbing anything. We
>cannot choose not to do something because of the fears of what could
happen.
>That would be like me refusing to send my children to school in light of the
>recent terrible events. We must remember...we are the ones who care and are
>doing the right thing.
>
>Kyle
>
>PS Could you tell me the format for the CEMETERY list on rootsweb and
>subscription information? Thanks
>
>
>==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
>"Show me your cemeteries, and I will tell you what kind of people you have."
> Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
>
>
Dale
Kyle: The book from Ontario I recommended in an earlier post will address
destroying growth and repairing stones. As for resetting in concrete ...
the Catholic Church renovated the old Catholic cemetery here a few years
ago, and the local monument dealer charged a small fortune to reset the
stones. He took the fragmented stones and laid them in a base of concrete
- which is *not* a good idea, as the Ontario and Strangstad books will both
tell you. Concrete and stone expand and contract at different rates, and
the freeze/thaw cycle of a few years will tear up the stone - as we're
seeing now in this cemetery. A real shame, they were so proud of what
they'd done.
>1) Proper method of destroying growth. I saw a posting on here a few weeks
>ago regarding plants that may exist in these cemeteries that don't grow
>anywhere else. My idea would be to go in and kill everything so that you
can
>see what you're doing and probe for buried stones.
>
>2) Repair of broken stones. What is the best material to use. I've seen
>epoxy mentioned. Is there a special kind? Brand name?
>
>3) Some family member of mine, who I do not know, fixed an ancestor's stone
>by resetting it in cement and poured the base so that about 8 inches was
>above ground. I thought this was a neat idea because it allows for easier
>mowing and less chance of disturbing the grave, since we don't know exactly
>how deep these graves are. Also, it looks like they painted the stone so
>that the lettering was legible again.
>
>I've raised some money and the township trustee has offered a little (very
>little) financial assistance, so we're ready to begin. I'm looking forward
to
>the information.
>
Dale
Lynette Strangstad's book is good for the academically inclined
preservationists among us, but if you follow everything she says you'll
never screw up enough courage to actually touch a stone. A much better and
more practical book, but one which follows Lynette's preservationist
recommendations, is
Landscapes of Memories: Repairing tombstones, a Guide for Conserving
Historic Cemeteries
published by the Canadian Govt through Publications Ontario.
Ron Baldwin told me about this and I bought two of them - one for my house
and one for the local library. Cost is $10 Canadian, which was
significantly less even with shipping in US dollars, and it's a gem! Easy
to follow directions for pinning, resetting, patching - all the best
recommendations of epoxy resins and pins - cleaning - etc.
My web site address for ordering,
http://govonca3.gov.on.ca/MCZCR/english/culdiv/heritage/memories.html,
didn't work when I tried it just now. There's an email address on the page
I printed out last year: ansonct(a)mczcr.gov.on.ca, and phone numbers,
1-800-668-9938 and 1-416-326-5300. If memory serves I had to use the 416
number to get through to someone to order. I had to wait for them to
reprint it when I ordered last June.
Good luck with your project!
Dale Drake
Cemetery Committee, Morgan Co History & Genealogy Assn.
>Resent-Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 17:39:53 -0700 (PDT)
>Reply-To: "Lois Mauk" <LawOfficeInformationSystem(a)worldnet.att.net>
>From: "Lois Mauk" <LawOfficeInformationSystem(a)worldnet.att.net>
>Old-To: "INPCRP" <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
>Date: Thu, 22 Apr 1999 20:43:13 -0400
>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
>X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.3110.1
>X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3
>Subject: [INPCRP-L] Advice Sought on Cemetery Restoration Techniques
>To: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com
>Resent-From: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com
>X-Mailing-List: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com> archive/latest/755
>X-Loop: INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com
>Resent-Sender: INPCRP-L-request(a)rootsweb.com
>
>William D. Nunnally <billn38(a)hotmail.com> is about to tackle a cemetery
>clean-up project at Smith Cemetery in Benton Co. <See
>http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/HallofShame/smithcem.html> He wrote to me
>asking:
>
>
> Talked to the trustee of the Smith Cemetery and he said he
> would be glad to work with me on a clean up and maybe he
> could come up with some money. I could sure use some help
> on repairing tombstones I couldn't make it to the KY workshop.
> Is there somewhere I can find out how to do this? The trustee
> is trying to find a plat map and maybe we can see there the
> stones belong that were moved.
>
>
>Judging from the photos of Smith Cemetery that Ron just send me a few weeks
>ago, it appears that the grounds at this site are in passably good
>condition; however, there are many broken stones here.
>
>To all of you who just returned from the workshop in Burlington, KY, why
>don't you share some of your knowledge and experience with Bill and the
>group on what they should do to tackle these stone repairs? Kind of an
>on-line workshop?
>
>I would also recommend that those of you about to undertake similar projects
>contact your local library and find out if they have a copy of A GRAVEYARD
>PRESERVATION PRIMER by Lynette Strangstad. I know this book is available
>through INTER-LIBRARY LOAN, which is free, though it will take a week or two
>for your library to obtain a copy from the other library.
>
>The book is also available from the Association for Gravestone Studies
>http://www.berkshire.net/ags/preserv.shtml . It is written for
>non-professional and professional preservationists involved in small to
>mid-size graveyard preservation projects, this basic primer explains in
>step-by-step fashion how to preserve and restore a graveyard. After reading
>the suggestions outlined in this book, you will be able to plan a well
>organized preservation project. In this way the common mistakes and waste
>of resources that characterise many well-intentioned graveyard preservation
>efforts can be avoided. Restoration is discussed with recommendations as to
>what lay people should and should not undertake.
>
>144 pages with index and illustrations. Cost: $15.95 for AGS members;
>$17.95 for non-members
>.
>
>Lois
>
>
>==== INPCRP Mailing List ====
>Quote from William Gladstone (1809-1897), three-time Prime Minister of
England
>and Victorian contemporary of Benjamin Disraeli:
> "Show me the manner in which a nation or community
> cares for its dead and I will measure with mathematical
> exactness the tender mercies of its people, their
> respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty
> to high ideals."
>
>
Dale
Ernie:
Thank you for agreeing to post the cemetery restoration information to the
group on line. I have been working on restoring the Messick Cemetery in
Henry Co., IN and am going to be working on it this summer. This information
will not only be useful, but timely! Some items I'd like to hear discussed,
if I may:
1) Proper method of destroying growth. I saw a posting on here a few weeks
ago regarding plants that may exist in these cemeteries that don't grow
anywhere else. My idea would be to go in and kill everything so that you can
see what you're doing and probe for buried stones.
2) Repair of broken stones. What is the best material to use. I've seen
epoxy mentioned. Is there a special kind? Brand name?
3) Some family member of mine, who I do not know, fixed an ancestor's stone
by resetting it in cement and poured the base so that about 8 inches was
above ground. I thought this was a neat idea because it allows for easier
mowing and less chance of disturbing the grave, since we don't know exactly
how deep these graves are. Also, it looks like they painted the stone so
that the lettering was legible again.
I've raised some money and the township trustee has offered a little (very
little) financial assistance, so we're ready to begin. I'm looking forward to
the information.
Lois:
In regards to the posts from the CEMETERY list on rootsweb. I felt they were
very thoughtful and true to life. Living 3 hours from the cemetery that I'm
trying to restore, I have the same concerns about what will happen when we
are done. When I first located this cemetery, I doubt that anyone knew it
was there. While it was in deplorable condition, there was little doubt that
my ancestors were 'resting in peace'. Now that someone has reset and painted
one of my ancestor's stones and we've gone in and cut the trees and brush,
the cemetery is visible from the road. It does concern me that this may
serve as an invitation for trouble. However, since some of the neighbors in
the area have ancestors buried in the cemetery, I feel confident they will do
what they can if they notice anyone back there disturbing anything. We
cannot choose not to do something because of the fears of what could happen.
That would be like me refusing to send my children to school in light of the
recent terrible events. We must remember...we are the ones who care and are
doing the right thing.
Kyle
PS Could you tell me the format for the CEMETERY list on rootsweb and
subscription information? Thanks
Lois and others,
I think the online workshop is a good idea. In the next few days, I will
try to assemble some information and tips that may help Bill and others. I
may post it to the List in parts to keep it from being one long e-mail.
Ernie
At 08:43 PM 4/22/99 -0400, you wrote:
>William D. Nunnally <billn38(a)hotmail.com> is about to tackle a cemetery
>clean-up project at Smith Cemetery in Benton Co.
Dale:
Excellent news from Morgan County! I didn't see your message until after I
posted the newspaper article URL, realize now they are one in the same
event.
Lois
Following are two messages posted by a member of the CEMETERY list on
Rootsweb of which I am a member. The author, in the first letter, made
several very valid points and, in the second letter, clarified others,
attempting to assure another member that his earlier comments were not
directed at ANY individual.
I think the most important point he makes here is that, unless we make
inroads into enlightening our communities as to the importance for
preserving and protecting these cemeteries, our efforts may eventually be
for naught.
Please read the entire text of both messages and then post to the group your
reaction to what he has to say.
Lois
---------------------------------
The on-line indexes for the Clark County Cemeteries are now SEARCHABLE:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
-----Original Message-----
From: <<snipped>>
Date: Thursday, April 22, 1999 6:06 AM
Subject: [CEMETERY-L] Cemetery Theft and/or Destruction: Evergreen Cemetery
WI
> Dear Fellow Members,
> I will probably regret writing this, but it wouldn't be
> the first time I plunged into stormy waters.
> What we have all witnessed happening in Colorado --
> the mass killing -- is exactly what happens in cemeteries. We live
> in an age when fewer and fewer people are willing to take the
> risks inherent in trying to instill a clear-cut system of values in
> young minds. We've come to a point when both parents and
> teachers refuse to make the attempt for fear of being sued,
> thrown in jail, or assaulted by their own children. As a result,
> unresolved rage -- rage at everyone and everything -- ends up
> being expressed through the barrel of a gun or on the end of a
> sledge hammer.
> As the gun advocates state, "Guns don't kill people, people
> kill people," in the same light, sledge hammers don't destroy
> monuments, people destroy monuments.
> What is incomprehensible for those who revere cemeteries,
> is the idea that in so many cases, most, when the destroyers are
> caught, they will invariably claim that it wasn't anything personal,
> it was just the overwhelming urge to destroy something that
> someone else loved. It is their way of lashing out and saying,
> "There, take this (shooting/smashing). Now you know what it
> feels like to hurt like me!"
> To the degree that any of us attempt to clean up and
> rehabilitate a neglected or abandoned cemetery, we are openly
> displaying our love for something. As that love grows visible,
> it will attract wanton rage like nails to a magnet. The important
> point to remember is that these acts of destruction are not
> personal. They are not aimed at anyone or anything in particular
> except that the target must qualify as being an object of someone
> else's adoration.
> If you intend to be doing this work, you must resolve
> yourself to the idea that you, yourself, by your own hand, may be
> bringing about your own worst fear.
> The only deterrent to unrepressed rage is vigilance. As
> hard as this is to say, those who state that they would have been
> better off leaving a cemetery buried under a thicket of briars are
> exactly correct. The cemetery would have been better off!
> No one in their right mind would consider leaving their
> young, beautiful daughter unattended at midnight in a dark alley
> of lower Chicago (sorry Chicagoans). Yet this is often times what
> is inadvertently done with out-of-the-way cemeteries.
> We find an abandoned cemetery, fix it up and beautify it,
> then abandon it again. Except now it has the magnetic lure
> of pulling to itself those who roam the isolated backroads looking
> for something cherished to smash.
> If it is your calling to make beautiful that which has become
> neglected or abandoned, by all means answer the call. But in
> following your heart, let your mind be aware of the risk, and from
> the very onset, incorporate an ever present vigilance in your
> cemetery project no differently than you would do for that daughter.
> If this symbolic daughter where shrouded in the trappings
> of ugliness, she would most likely be passed over and would
> remain safe. And so would the ugly little cemeteries.
> This is not to say that it is pointless to try. It is to say that
> if you do try, understand that you are also creating the mechanism
> of your own ondoing, and take whatever steps are necessary
> to insure protection and vigilance for your cemetery when your
> back is turned.
> There are no easy answers to this dilemma. One answer
> might be to leave the front view looking ugly, so that the Garden
> of Eden is not discovered until climbing through the briars. There
> is no fix-all cure. You will need to use a great deal of ingenuity
> to come up with your own answer. But you need to find these
> answers before planting the first new flower or pruning the first
> shrub.
> In the same way, any object of adoration is assumed to
> be an object of value, and any object of value is worthy of theft.
> With theft, comes scarcity and rarity, which pushes values even
> higher, encouraging ever escalating thievery.
> If you wish to beautify the Internet & Web with your
> cemetery projects, resist the urge to do so until you can include
> a well thought-out and well presented tutorial which educates
> your visitors to appreciate without the need to covet. It would
> not be such a bad idea to do the same with your real-world
> cemetery as well.
> At the risk of losing your interest with the length of this,
> I would like to close this with a personal experience.
> We are presently working on correcting some of the
> problems with Milwaukee's Evergreen Cemetery. A week ago,
> we located and identified 5 vaults without exhuming anyone.
> Yesterday, we did the same with another 8, and would have gone
> further had we not been stopped by a pouring rain.
> While working long hours at Evergreen, we get to spend
> days on end watching and listening to the various visitors come
> and go to their departed loved ones. Before now, we really didn't
> think about it all that much.
> A day ago, a middle aged man found his way to a certain
> headstone. After a few moments of silence, he sank to his knees
> and began sobbing. He put his hands and his head against the
> cold stone and alternately talked and wept. This continued on
> for nearly an hour. As much as each of us wanted to ease his
> sorrow, we knew that nothing we could do or say would fill his
> void or heal his aching heart. He finally stood and walked away,
> the tears still streaming down his face. No amount of religious
> or philosophical platitudes would have made the smallest iota
> of difference to him. Only time could heal a wound so deep, if
> at all.
> What is significant about this is despite what any of our
> beliefs about a life-after-death might be, for this man, that slab
> of cold stone was the point of his last connection to someone
> very dear to him, and the best he could do was to find his way
> back to it when the need overwhelmed him.
> Over the months, we have witnessed many such incidents.
> Some were grieving mothers -- some, grieving children. But for
> all, there was a particular block of stone that became the focal
> point of their last connection to someone dear.
> If you wish to put up a Web site dedicated to cemeteries,
> or a special cemetery, then include an education for the public
> that these "things" out in the cemetery are not cemetery art, or
> cemetery collectibles, or tradable commodities --- for many, these
> "collectibles" represent the culmination of life-long relationships
> and the single, solitary connection between a living person and
> the other half of his or her life that was ripped from them. To
> steal such a thing, or smash it, is to tear away what little there is
> left of a breaking heart. To do either should be seen as
> the unconscionable act that it truly is.
> It is not good enough to display your life's love, whether
> out in a farmer's field or on the Web. It will only be good enough
> when followed with a reeducation of your local public to appreciate
> the beauty of our common human nature and human bond which
> is merely symbolized by these stones and artifacts of interesting
> design. Once that is accomplished, you will have done what
> 10 lifetimes and volumes of legislation cannot. And your efforts
> will have mattered and made a difference.
> - David -
>
>______________________________
SECOND MESSAGE FROM "DAVID" (a public reply to another CEMETERY-L member):
Dear *****,
My comments were absolutely not directed at you.
Cross my heart and hope....... Please, please do not think so.
I have no problem posting this clarification to the list, and I will do
so. My comments were not really directed at anyone, only the
situation and circumstances. There are those who go through life
only wanting to bring "good" to this life, and who end up being
crushed and devastated when their best intentions back-fire
on them. I am one. I have great empathy for the others.
I hope that this explanation will convince you that I meant no
criticism to you or to anyone else.
In order to prove the accuracy of our work at Evergreen
Cemetery in Milwaukee, WI, we are electronically locating and
computer mapping the location of each of the vaults bearing
nameplates on their lids. Once we locate the exact placement of
a nameplate we put a plastic flag on it, survey it, and let the
computer plot it on our computer generated map. We also
photograph its actual location in relationship to its headstone.
When we have a number of these plotted, the Court appointed
legal Overseer for Evergreen meets us there, and working with
nothing but hand tools and an old fashioned post-hole digger,
we manually dig straight down to the nameplate on the vault,
making it visible and readable to the Court's attorney. Out of
respect for the final resting place of the dead, the holes
we are digging are less than 1 foot by 2 feet, and we are adamant
about forbidding the use of power equipment such as a back-hoe.
The last step before closing the hole is to document the
nameplate by photographing it.
In order to do this, I must slide head-first down into the
hole with my camera and take close-up shots of the nameplate.
When I photograph one, I move on to the next and do the same.
Two days ago, we dug and photographed 8 vaults before being
stopped by a pouring rain. This meant sliding head first into 8 holes,
and in a couple of cases, needing someone to grab me by the
belt and pull me back out.
Over time, we have come to learn that these are not
mere nameplates on vaults. These nameplates represent the
sum total of someone's life here on Earth, and everything that life
meant to those who must live on without them.
More importantly, we have learned that cemeteries are
not "dead places" or a final resting place for the dead. They are
living places, alive with the interactions of grief-ridden families
trying desperately to gradually "let go" of what will never, ever
come to be for them.
Just because we drive through a cemetery and see no one
there, does not mean that cemeteries are places to bury dead
memories. One needs to sit in a particular cemetery for many
days in order to see how really alive a cemetery can be.
More than anything, a cemetery is a place where family
and the heartbroken may come to resolve emotions in upheaval,
and to bring closure to important relationships in their lives.
My message was totally, absolutely, not intended for you
or anyone else in particular. My God, I apologize if it came across
that way.
My message was intended to be a warning and a wake-up
call. First, a warning that although fixing up or preserving a
cemetery is a wonderful and worthwhile thing to do, and will be
appreciated by many whose face you will never see and whose
"thanks" you will never hear, one must realize that one's efforts
have the possibility of back-firing unless steps are taken to prevent
this right from the get-go. There is nothing more tragic or
discouraging than to put your heart and soul into a "special" project
only to see it despoiled because of its newly found attractiveness.
Secondly, I intended a wake-up call that just as no amount
of legislation cured the segregation and Civil Rights issue, no
amount of legislation, regardless of what a landmark victory it may
be, will stop the mistreatment of cemeteries. The only thing which
stands a fighting chance of changing public opinion and awareness
is a total reeducation of the public as to what these cemeteries
truly represent. They are not a collection of stones and names as
some would claim. These cemeteries are the visible sites of
deeply inflicted wounds in the process of healing.
More than anything, I wished to convey to all the members
on this list the importance and true significance of the work they
are doing. They are not engaged in preserving artifacts of the past.
More importantly, and more accurately, they are engaged in
maintaining and enhancing a sanctuary for the present and the
future -- a special place for the living to come to resolve their loss.
It is crucial that everyone who wishes to make their work
public, through Web site, newspaper, or whatever -- it is crucial
that they include information by which the public may learn of the
true nature and purpose of cemeteries and why it is so important
to preserve them. Most people have not yet dealt with a tragic
loss -- but they will. And it will be at that point that they truly
understand the real function of a cemetery without anyone having
to tell them.
Constant protection and vigilance of a cemetery is not
possible without the awareness and appreciation of the surrounding
community. And that awareness is not possible without reeducation.
Parents must instill in their children, not so much a respect for the
dead, as a true compassion for the living; for it is they who are in
the greater pain.
If a Boy or Girl Scout Troop will assist with a cleanup,
that is great. But they need to know that their efforts are truly for
the living and not only the dead.
The man who I described as sinking to his knees in grief,
kneeled there in mud and dead sod. Finally, I had to turn away.
What a difference it might have made if someone totally unknown
to him had planted but one little flower or sprinkled a little grass
seed. Just a little compassion goes a long, long way within the
gates of the cemetery. From first hand experience, I can guarantee
that you efforts will not pass unnoticed.
When someone asks a fellow member, "What are you
doing this weekend?", it is not quite accurate to say, "Picking up
out at a cemetery." But it is accurate to say, "I am tidying up a
place where those who need to may come, to a beautiful sanctuary,
cry for as long as they need, and then get on with their lives."
Instill this thought and awareness in the local community
of the cemetery and you will be able to walk away from your
project knowing that you are not turning your back, that countless
others are now standing watch in your absence.
If I previously offended anyone, I truly apologize. It was
not intended. You each need to know the truth about how much
your efforts are really worth, and the great good you are doing
in what may sometimes seem to be a thankless endeavor.
- David -
Sam Cline <scline(a)hoosierweb.org> has alerted us that the Morgan Co.
newspaper, Reporter-Times, is carrying an apparently front-page story today
entitled "Veterans rally for grave sanctity". The piece was written by
Keith Rhoades. It is available on-line FOR THE MOMENT at:
http://www.reporter-times.com/
I don't see any archived articles on this website so it is entirely possible
that it won't be there tomorrow.
As Sam puts it, this story "falls under the category of "Hey! Everybody
doesn't want to bulldoze a cemetery!"
Turns out that a rumor that a cemetery was going to be bulldozed served to
pull together several divergent groups -- cemetery preservationists, members
of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the "40 & 8" group.
The good news is that the property owners don't intend to destroy the
cemetery. Maybe now groups can work together to restore these two sites.
Lois
William D. Nunnally <billn38(a)hotmail.com> is about to tackle a cemetery
clean-up project at Smith Cemetery in Benton Co. <See
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp/HallofShame/smithcem.html> He wrote to me
asking:
Talked to the trustee of the Smith Cemetery and he said he
would be glad to work with me on a clean up and maybe he
could come up with some money. I could sure use some help
on repairing tombstones I couldn't make it to the KY workshop.
Is there somewhere I can find out how to do this? The trustee
is trying to find a plat map and maybe we can see there the
stones belong that were moved.
Judging from the photos of Smith Cemetery that Ron just send me a few weeks
ago, it appears that the grounds at this site are in passably good
condition; however, there are many broken stones here.
To all of you who just returned from the workshop in Burlington, KY, why
don't you share some of your knowledge and experience with Bill and the
group on what they should do to tackle these stone repairs? Kind of an
on-line workshop?
I would also recommend that those of you about to undertake similar projects
contact your local library and find out if they have a copy of A GRAVEYARD
PRESERVATION PRIMER by Lynette Strangstad. I know this book is available
through INTER-LIBRARY LOAN, which is free, though it will take a week or two
for your library to obtain a copy from the other library.
The book is also available from the Association for Gravestone Studies
http://www.berkshire.net/ags/preserv.shtml . It is written for
non-professional and professional preservationists involved in small to
mid-size graveyard preservation projects, this basic primer explains in
step-by-step fashion how to preserve and restore a graveyard. After reading
the suggestions outlined in this book, you will be able to plan a well
organized preservation project. In this way the common mistakes and waste
of resources that characterise many well-intentioned graveyard preservation
efforts can be avoided. Restoration is discussed with recommendations as to
what lay people should and should not undertake.
144 pages with index and illustrations. Cost: $15.95 for AGS members;
$17.95 for non-members
.
Lois
I don't know how it happened, but I was unsubscribed from the INPCRP list
for about 24 hours (2 PM Wednesday to about Noon Thursday). I took the
liberty of resubscribing myself. Hope I didn't miss anything.
Lois
---------------------------------
The on-line indexes for the Clark County Cemeteries are now SEARCHABLE:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/5881
Please visit the Indiana Pioneer Cemeteries Restoration Project at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~inpcrp
All:
We had a small flurry of excitement here in Morgan County this week - it
appears a rumor was spreading that one of our pioneer cemeteries was to be
bulldozed down to make way for a subdivision. A representative from the
American Legion called a meeting and invited the Cemetery Committee of the
Morgan Co. History & Genealogy Assn. to discuss the problem.
Between the time of the phone call and the meeting (less than 24 hours) one
of our members was able to contact the owner, who has no intention of doing
anything detrimental to the cemetery. Who knows how these rumors start.
Anyway, the property owner came to the meeting, along with a group of local
historians/cemetery folk and the township trustee, and the meeting went
wonderfully well, with everyone agreeing that the cemetery is valuable,
needs preserving, and will have attention paid to it in the future.
Overreaction? Yep, but that's OK in my book. I'd rather we over- than
underreact. We underreacted once here and lost a cemetery (actually an
Indian burial site) because of it.
And other good things came of the flap. The American Legion, township
trustee, land owner and local historical community became acquainted ...
the owner will get his cemetery cleared ... and everyone knows now that two
organizations are vitally concerned about these cemeteries (at least if
they have veterans in them) and will marshall all resources to protect them.
And we, the Cemetery Committee, have a meeting scheduled with the American
Legion to discuss our common interests and our cemetery records. An ally
in the fight that we hadn't thought of.
And an hour in a smoky VFW hall well spent.
Dale Drake
Cemetery Committee Co-Chair, MCHGA