Hello,
When one is attempting to locate the boundaries of an old cemetery to have
it fenced and create a permanent record of it's location and dimensions,
one should to strive to be as accurate as possible. Most people recommend
first researching old records to see what description of the plot may
already exist. Check old plat maps and Surveyors records to see if a plat
or survey was ever made of the cemetery. Check the WPA Graves Registration
Project records to see if this cemetery was surveyed and
recorded. Sometimes the WPA plats are not all that accurate, but may offer
valuable clues on the size of the cemetery, the number of burial plots, and
the location. Research old deeds for the property to see if it was ever
mentioned or described in the deed and transfer records. I have actually
got lucky and found surveyors legal descriptions in old deeds that were
omitted from later deeds when the cemetery was dropped from tax
rolls. Also check to see if the property was excepted from the deed. This
may at least give you the size of the cemetery. If the cemetery was
associated with a church or fraternal organization, see if any of those
records can be located. Old aerial photos and topo maps may also be helpful.
The on-site work will also provide helpful information. Remember, map
everything and move nothing until it's exact location is recorded. Besides
the locations of stones and markers, look for old fencing and fence
posts. Probe the area and the surrounding area thoroughly and in a
systematic manner to see what can be found. Map out and piece all your
clues together to see if you can determine the boundaries, lot sizes and
locations.
If all of the above fails, I would contact Rich Green and his company to
see how they may be able to assist. Perhaps a local business or civic
organization can be found to help foot the bill. Depending on the size of
the cemetery, it may not be as expensive as you think. Rich will be able
to answer that question, and has been very helpful to other restoration
projects around the State.
Dowsing? If she tries it and gets a reaction, how does she know what she
has found? Dowsers claim to be able to locate everything from A to
Z. They can find water pools, running water, oil, gas, gold and minerals,
plastic pipes, metal pipes, hollow areas, metals, stone, burial sites,
people dead or alive, and much, much more. So much more that they claim to
be able to find about anything! One claims to be able to dowse the Wall
Street Journal and find profitable stock picks. Another claims to be able
to dowse over a map in California to locate a person lost in New York! So
when your coat hangars twitch, move or swing or move, what caused it? Some
mystic paranormal superforce from below, psychic phenomenon, mental
telepathy, sub-conscious thinking or imagining, or just the wind
blowing? Prove me wrong and I know where there a lot of people with a lot
of cemeteries to locate that we can start helping right away. Or find just
one gold mine or oil well, then use the money hire Rich Green and company
to do all the field work.
Ernie
At 05:03 PM 2/28/01, you wrote:
Ernie,
How come you only list negative dowsing web sites? Don't knock Dowsing
until you have tried it. It is not witchcraft, for Scientific evidence see
http://www.connect.ab.ca/~tylosky/ What has Angela got to lose by
trying it
besides the cost of two wire coat hangers?
Don.