At 09:31 AM 6/28/2005,tracy reinhardt wrote:
Hi all,
I haven't been very vocal in quite a while, but I am going to strike
while I have this idea in my head. It's just food for thought.
This all started when I began to reference the Kopet's photo pages on my
own website. and regarding my corrections of cemetery photos locations-
I hope that no-one felt that I was trying to slight in any way, the
wonderful work that the Kopets are doing. It was obvious to me
immediately, that the cemeteries that needed correction in their
placement were right on the border of my county, and since I am trained
in land surveying, I am more particular about proper placement,
etc. HA, I just want to be sure that people can find what they are
looking for in the correct place.
In fact, I think that border cemeteries should be listed in BOTH counties,
since the burials are probably people from both counties. But of
course, those border cemeteries should be identified first. No Tina, I
don't mean you should list the link twice.....just read on.
I agree!
So here is what I am going to do, and I would like to suggest this for
others to think about.
First of all, do you have an easy-to-find map of your county which shows
townships???? [I mean one map showing township locations] I am frustrated
with the many counties all over the country, who do not have a township
map on their website. It would be nice to have that, so people can
reference an adjoining township in the adjoining county.
SPECIAL NOTE - if you find a map of your county's townships, but
don't have a scanner, then just make a nice clear photocopy of that map,
and send the photocopy to me and I will scan it in for you, that's how
strongly I feel this is needed. Email me for my snailmail
address........or request someone on your mailing list to scan one in for you.
AND, if you can't find a good township map, let me know........I have
some reference material here at home, and I'll create one for you!!! HONEST!
This list is here for us to help each other, remember
If you should need help with this, Here I yam, Tracy
Second, is there a list of cemeteries on your website? (Even an
incomplete list is better than nothing) And does it list what township
each cemetery is in? And even better, does it list which section number
it is located in, in the township??? ( I know, I'm getting picky)
A map, and a cemetery list are a BIG help to outsiders who don't know the
area.
I'm sadly lacking in my WI sites, but my IA site has a Map listing all the
cemeteries (including the pioneer ones) online.
Hummmm....well I just went for the link, and the map also lists the
townships! <g>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iahardin/cem-recs/cem-index.html
I would add also, that the map came from the Pioneer Cemetery Society. I
sat in on one of their meetings....that's how I learned that was where the
map was from.
[ once again, a request on the mailing list for these things might
turn
up some good results/helpers]
Third - if you can identify any cemeteries that are located in a township
section that borders a neighboring county, then add a note to identify
that bordering county as one that the genealogist might also want to look
in. [I mention SECTION, rather than township, so you don't think that
every cemetery in the entire township needs an adjoining county reference]
Good idea! I'll make that a project to be added to my list!
And don't forget:
I have one instance for sure, that a Lutheran Church is located in
Fond du Lac county, but the church's cemetery is located in Sheboygan
county, and it's those instances where notes need to be referenced to
include both locations for any researcher. i.e.: Imagine someone
sitting at their computer in California, and discovering their ancestors
lived in Dundee, Fond du Lac county WI. They will find that Dundee is in
Osceola township, and will go through all county records for their
family. And all of their research references will read Dundee, Osceola
twsp, Fond du Lac Co WI. But they won't find any burials, because,
the Dundee Lutheran Church cemetery is located in Sheboygan county, not
Fond du Lac. And living in Calif, Dundee is just a name on a piece of
paper, and they would have no inkling that it is on the border, or need
to include Sheboygan Co in their research.
So here is my next project - I think that I am going to do that with my
own county. Any cemetery located close to the county line, I think that
I will reference the other couny as a 'see also xxx county'.
Next soapbox comment:
I am discovering, much to my disappointment, that when the majority of
tombstones were copied in my county in the 1970's and 1980's, that the
inscribers would neglect to include any poem or saying that appeared on
the stone. Now, many years later, that poem is difficult to transcribe,
meaning it is now lost forever. However, thanks to the Kopets, at
least there will be a photo of the stone, in case it topples and
disappears in the distant future. Hats off to them for their untiring
work, especially for their decision to include these photos as part of
the WIGEN project, instead of creating their own website.
I agree! I had made it a personal project to go and photo each stone in
the cemeteries where I live and maintain as an IA County. Much to my
disgust, my health has made that desire take a backseat.
Are any of you familiar with the IA Gravestone Photo Project ?
Might give you some ideas....the link is for my specific county, but all 99
counties are there. Anyone may submit.
http://iowagravestones.org/index.php/cid_42/
Mari
tracy reinhardt
fond du lac county