Hi Jack,
I'll go back to what I said about there not being much chance of physical
remains from infants buried that long ago. However, I do agree with Angela
that if we are asking people to respect the places where people are buried,
cemeteries, then we have a right to record where all remains are reported to
have been buried.
While there may now be a 100 year old house where the infants were buried,
what may occur there in the future. I see no reason not to advice the civil
authorities so that they may "flag" that parcel number in the event there is
ever any intention of disturbing the area where the burials might be
located. If I was a homeowner or buyer, and I contracted to have worked
done to enlarge my home or rebuild my home or even put in a swimming pool
(okay laugh, I live in CA)...I sure wouldn't want to be totally surprised
that human remains were to be found.
Forewarned is forearmed, and if people go into projects like that where they
may reasonably expect they MIGHT find something, then that is showing
respect for those little children.
Presently in our county, we are flagging all the large parcels in which
cemeteries are known to exist or once existed and are now lost. That way
when the planners work a development file, they are told there is or may be
a cemetery on the premises. And while it's true, if we weren't around to
watch them carefully, they can try to ignore that fact, there's really only
so much we can feasibly do to ensure caution and respect. After that, it's
really all up to the morality of those in charge and in legal ownership. In
our county, they know they will see themselves in the paper if they don't do
the right thing....
Maybe I'm too black and white. It just seems to me if the law says not to
disturb the dead, then we just plain shouldn't. And if the law doesn't say
that, at least I know my conscience tells me that.
Sue Silver
----- Original Message -----
From: G Tielking <tielking(a)knightstown.net>
To: <INPCRP-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2001 12:18 PM
Subject: Re: [INPCRP] Opinion Subject (Burials) What do you think ?
Jack,
I always heard that is there is just ONE person buried someplace it was
considered a cemetery. To bad these children can't be recognized in some
way. I am sure the parents loved those little children even though they
couldn't afford a decent burial.
There a couple of single infant graves in Hancock Co. that are no longer
marked. When the cemetery commission is finally up and running I want to
bring that to their attention and see if something can't be done.
Angela Tielking