Exploring almost forgotten gravesites in Ohio

"Grave Adventures of the Holmes County Library Ladies" - Featuring a video of the Berlin Township Cemetery

2012-01-27T16:45:00.005-05:00

Click on link above to view the video produced by the library ladies of Holmes County, Ohio. Their website is: "Grave Adventures of the Holmes County Library Ladies."

I will also post a permanent link to their website above as there are all sorts of useful and interesting links to view and enjoy!

"Contact Us"

"You can contact the Library Ladies via our address or email below:

Holmes County Library Ladies Holmes County District Public Library 3102 Glen Drive Millersburg, OH 44654 330-674-5972, ext.203 Email the ladies at Libraryladies@holmeslib.org"

Announcing Holycross Family Reunion tentatively scheduled for August 25 - 26, 2012 In Or Near North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

2012-01-24T19:53:00.007-05:00

SAVE THE DATE

The bi-annual Holycross Family Reunion for all descendents of John Holycross (b. VA 1740) and his five sons is tentatively scheduled for 25 and 26 August 2012 in or near North Lewisburg, Ohio (exact location TBD).

Monitor the website for details, contact information, and RSVP’s.

Visit: www.holycrossfamilyreunion.com

Please share this information with other family members.

The sons of John Holycross all emigrated to the North Lewisburg, Ohio area in 1810 with their entire families. One son, Abram, later emigrated to Indiana and, ultimately, Illinois. Because of the huge numbers of Holycross descendents still located in the North Lewisburg vicinity, more attendees should be available.

Everyone with a Holycross among their ancestors is encouraged to come and meet your extended family.

Rick

Richard L. Haslep

Tel: +1-817-483-2982

Cell: +1-817-366-8052

4607 Michelle Drive

Arlington, Texas 76016

USA

Update on Cemeteries in Perry Township - Fayette County, Ohio

2012-01-20T19:13:00.006-05:00

PERRY TOWNSHIP
Howard D. Smith, Fiscal Officer	11 Zimmerman Rd. SW. WCH 43160	3-31-16
Richard L Wilson, Jr.	9725 Wash.-New Martinsburg Rd. SE, 43160	12-31-12
Heath Dustin Smith	55 Zimmerman Rd. SW. WCH 43160	12-31-13
Sam Bowers	161 Greenfield-Sabina Rd. Greenfield 45123	12-31-13

2012:
Trustees: Cemetery:
Richard Wilson - WALNUT CREEK CEMETERY

Sam Bowers - SUGAR GROVE CEMETERY

Heath Smith - COCHRAN CEMETERY

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the Perry Township Meeting Minutes of January 9, 2012:
"Pros Attorney explained that the Sugar Grove Church wanted to deed the cemetery to the township, as per Ohio R.C.. The church has had the cemetery surveyed and wants part of it for church parking. The Attornery General of Ohio has a cemetery department but is not involved in this kind of dispute.

After a very long discussion a motion was made by Smith and seconded by Bowers to accept the cemetery back with a $6000.00 settlement payment due upon receipt of deed. There was an agreement for the church to re a line the drive over about ten feet and that the grave that is to be moved, be moved before issueing the deed. Also there was a gentleman’s agreement that a church board member would meet with a trustee some time each year to review the line fence.

Vote to accept this was 3 Yeas.

Link to "What's New at Grave Addiction"

2012-01-18T19:25:00.004-05:00

Click on title to link to "What's New at Grave Addiction" on the "GraveAddiction" website. There are several newer links posted with photographs at Ohio cemeteries. In the left-hand column with the heading: "Click on any of the titles in the option box below to view the photo:" is a listing of photographs of the designated cemetery . Most cemeteries are in Ohio, however, a few are from other states. Even if a person's name isn't listed as such in the link, it might be worthwhile to click through the links as there may a surprise waiting for you at your chosen cemetery!

Some Upcoming Meetings in Northeastern Ohio from the "Cleveland District Round Table" website

2012-01-18T14:43:00.001-05:00

Click on title to link to the
"Cleveland District Round Table" website.

Abstracted from their website:

"Monday 6 February 2012 7:00 p.m. "Stories in Stone: A Grave Marker or a Legacy?"

will be presented by Michael and Monica Johns of the Johns-Carabelli Monument Company at the meeting of East Cuyahoga County Genealogical Society."

******

Ross de John Community Center, 6306 Marsol Road, Mayfield Hts. OH 44124

"Thursday 29 March 2012 10:00 a.m.

Alan Rabe will discuss "Graveyard Restoration"at the meeting of Lake County Genealogical Society."

******

Morley Library, 184 Phelps Street, Painesville, Ohio

(one block south of US 20 at State Street.

Spotlighting Congress Green Cemetery in North Bend, Hamilton County, Ohio on "Ohio History Central"

2012-01-17T13:45:00.002-05:00

Learn more about the Congress Green Cemetery and its history on the website "Ohio History Central" - click on link above.

Currently, "Find A Grave" has 103 burials listed at the Congress Green Cemetery.

Announcing a Meeting scheduled for 7:00p.m. on Monday, May 14, 2012 at the Library in North Ridgeville, Lorain County, Ohio

2012-01-15T10:01:00.004-05:00

“Tombstone Symbolism and Photography”

Announcing an upcoming meeting featuring a presentation about Tombstone symbolism and photography:

When: May 14, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Where: North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Rd., North Ridgeville

"Terry Hart will discuss the meaning of symbols and icons found on American tombstones.

An understanding of the symbolism may help researchers learn more about their ancestors and better appreciate the actual artwork of tombstones.

Social time: 6:30 pm, program & meeting 7:00 pm

Contact Jean at jecopeland1975@gmail.com or Pete at hritsko@centurytel.net for more information."

Spotlighting Martha Ann Spain Bishop buried at the Maple Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

2012-01-11T18:48:00.001-05:00

Click on title to link to the "Find A Grave" memorial for Martha Ann Spain Bishop Wilson who was buried at the Maple Grove Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Ohio.

Monument for William Wilson and his wife, Martha Ann Spain Bishop Wilson.

Photograph courtesy of Mr. Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr.

Ralph also has provided her burial location in Maple Grove Cemetery: Square 70, Lot 3, Site 2.

Martha Ann Spain Bishop Wilson was a daughter of Joshua Spain and Mary Inskeep Spain who were buried at the nearby Butcher Cemetery.

Martha first married married Henry Bishop on August 24, 1854. He died on April 25, 1880.

The two children of Martha and Henry were buried with Henry at the Butcher Cemetery.

Daughter, Emma F. Bishop, died on February 16, 1865. She was a little more than a year old.

Son, William A. Bishop, was about 7 years and 8 months old when he died. All their inscriptions are on the Spain monument at the Butcher Cemetery.

Update for Sugar Grove Cemetery, Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio

2012-01-09T17:40:00.000-05:00

From the December 12, 2012 Meeting of the Perry Township Trustees (Fayette County, Ohio)

"THERE WAS A BIG DISCUSSION ON THE SUGAR GROVE CEMETERY. WAS RESOLVED TO MEASURE THE POTTERS FIELD AREA FOR APPROXIMATE GRAVE SITES ADDED TO THE GRAVE SITES THAT ARE ALL READY PLOTTED TO COME UP WITH A FAIR AMOUNT FROM THE CHURCH FOR SUCH. BOWERS IS TO CONTACT THE COUNTY ASSIST PROS ATTORNEY WITH ALL THE PARTICULARS PERTAINING TO CEMETERY AND THE TOWNSHIP HAVING TAKEN CARE OF IT FOR YEARS AND HAVE HIM GET A READING FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AS TO THE TOWNSHIP TAKING THE CEMETERY DEED AND CONTROL OF IT BACK AND AS TO WHAT OBLIGATION THE CHURCH OWES TO TOWNSHIP FOR PAST CARE PLUS THE GRAVE SITES IT HAS TAKEN, AND A READING ON THE GRAVE SITE TO BE MOVED, ONCE A READING IS OBTAINED FROM THE STATE LEVEL THERE WILL BE A MEETING WITH THE TWP BOARD AND THE CHURCH BOARD."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Find A Grave" shows 29 burials at the Sugar Grove Cemetery .

"OhioGravestones.org" shows 4 burials at the Sugar Grove Cemetery.

Also, on "Rootsweb" - Sugar Grove Cemetery has 22 gravestone photographs on 6 pages.

Spotlighting the Greenfield Historical Society - Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio

2012-01-08T14:02:00.000-05:00

The Greenfield Historical Society in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, has a wonderful website containing several links with online information available to the public.

Click on title to link to the Home Page of The Greenfield Historical Society.

The Genealogical Information page contains several links including to the Sheep Pen Cemetery listing of 2010.

Other links include:

Link to the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society (SOGS)

"SOGS" is the genealogical society for Highland County, Ohio. Their genealogy resource library collection is kept at Southern State College in Hillsboro, Ohio.

A link to their history of the life of Noble Edward Irwin - "A brief summary of one of Greenfield's most highly decorated serviceman."

The three-generation Patterson Family Tree

The Ravenscroft Family Monument

and several others.

The Greenfield Historical Society
103 McArthur Way
Greenfield, Ohio 45123
(937)981-7890

Email:

info@GreenfieldHistoricalSociety.org

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If your ancestors lived in southern Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio and/or Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio, the City of Greenfield would be one of the larger nearby cities for them to visit for shopping, etc. The county boundary line in the early days was "invisible" and many early settlers owned land in both counties.

Sharing a recent news story about the Ava Maria Cemetery in Watertown Township, Washington County, Ohio

2012-01-02T17:35:00.000-05:00

Click on link to read a December 29, 2011 news story featured in the "The Marietta Times" written by Tom Shawver about the history of the Ava Maria Church and adjacent cemetery. Many members of the Schwendeman family are buried there. There are five photographs of different views of the cemetery included with his story.

Currently, "Find A Grave" lists 119 interments at the Ava Maria Cemetery.

The Cemetery is listed as the "Ave Maria - Saint John" Cemetery on page 669 of the book, "Ohio Cemeteries: 1803 - 2003" published by the Ohio Genealogical Society in 2003.

Featuring the "FAQs" of the "Association for Gravestone Studies"

2012-01-01T20:20:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone enjoyed a happy and safe New Year for 2012.

The new year will bring us renewed hope and energy needed to move forward with cemetery preservation projects.

Some may involve issues dealing with the gravestones themselves. Transcribing their inscriptions, repairing them, or doing rubbings of the words and symbols on the markers make for an exciting time full of promise and reward.

The website of "The Association for Gravestone Studies" offers much information on all aspects.

Clicking on the title takes us to their "Frequently Asked Questions" page which provides many helpful tips.

Also, please take a look at the Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohioags

Sharing a Message from Fayette County, Ohio "Find A Grave" Contributor Gene Wilt

2011-12-31T14:39:00.001-05:00

"Linda; Thank you very much for this kind and unexpected public recognition.

I have always liked cemeteries and decided a few years ago that with the economy the way it has been and with people relocating all over the world it would be very cost prohibitive for most people to be able to make a trip to our local community to try and find their relative's final resting place.

So I decided to try and visit my local cemeteries and take photos of all the head stones and as I get the time post them on Find A Grave which is such a great web site, and I'm so happy to be able to help others connect possibly with long lost relatives.

Thank You Again for the kind words.

I hope everyone has a very Happy & Safe New Year!"

Gene Wilt
Washington Court House
Fayette County, Ohio 43160

Spotlighting two cemeteries - Willow and North Oregon - in Oregon, Lucas County, Ohio

2011-12-29T19:37:00.001-05:00

Spotlighting two historic cemeteries owned by the City of Oregon in Lucas County, Ohio.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One is Willow Cemetery and the other is North Oregon Cemetery.

For details and history of these two cemeteries click on the title.

Click on their names above to link to their records on "Find A Grave."

The History of the Warrensville West Cemetery - Shaker Heights, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

2011-12-26T20:07:00.000-05:00

Click on title to link to the website: "Clevelandhistorical.org" and their page dedicated to the Warrensville West Cemetery on Lee Road in Shaker Heights.

Here you will read about its history, connection to the Shakers, and its alternative names.

Some early photographs are also posted on the site. A nice history is given about this Cleveland area Ohio Western Reserve cemetery that most certainly time would have forgotten if it were not for its location in an urban city like Shaker Heights.

Warrensville West Cemetery on "Find A Grave" currently lists 152 interments.

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

2011-12-25T16:36:00.000-05:00

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas today. I hope you are spending at least some of it with your family or someone special in your life, or visting by phone or via the internet.

My thank you to everybody following this blog.

A big thank you to everyone who has taken a step toward improving burial sites at Ohio cemeteries, whether it be a single burial site or at an entire cemetery.

You know who you are!

It is my goal to learn more about your work and your success so we can share it with others and keep the ball rolling sort to speak.

I have a link here to a listing on Cyndislist.com for Ohio cemeteries.

I was pleasantly surprised to see "Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in Ohio" among those on the list. I wasn't expecting it, but it is an honor I accept with humble appreciation.

There are currently 28 links listed for this category on Cyndislist.com. So, please re-visit Cyndislist.com often as I'm sure the list will be growing.

Enjoy all the holidays and thank you so much for your ongoing support.

Please keep up your important efforts with cemetery and gravesite preservation so even more Ohio gravesites will be saved!

Featuring "Find A Grave" Contributor Gene Wilt of Fayette County, Ohio

2011-12-24T14:48:00.001-05:00

I wish to post something a bit different today on my blog.

I am dedicating this post along with my own thank you to a kind and helpful "Find A Grave" contributor who has, to date, taken 243 volunteer photos.

He is Gene Wilt of Fayette County, Ohio.

Click on title to be linked to Gene's profile page on "Find A Grave" and read more about him and his contributions.

Gene is among thousands of "Find A Grave" contributors who have made locating the final resting places of our relatives and ancestors much quickier and easier.

His dedication to activities like walking his local cemeteries and photographing both newer monuments and fraile and faded flat markers alike has meant someone living a great distance away can have a virtual view of what their ancestor's grave monument or marker looks like.

The gravestone photographs help make the online memorials more meaningful and add a visual connection.

Thank you, Gene, for all of your help with my photo requests in Fayette County.

You have done a great job with your photography work and have promptly responded to my photo requests every time!

AND,

Merry Christmas to everyone who has contributed in some way on the website "Find A Grave"!!!

Spotlighting the Preservation of Pleasant Hill Cemetery - Jerome Township - Union County, Ohio

2011-12-20T17:24:00.001-05:00

Click on title to link to a well-written story by Bill Eichenberger for "ThisWeek Community Newspapers" about the recent preservation work conducted at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio.

The Jerome Township Trustees enlisted the help of the "Stone Savers" from Indiana for the project which required $25,000.00 in costs to cover the necessary work.

Currently, "Find A Grave" lists 180 interments for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Also, please visit Leona L. Gustafson's wonderful site, "GenealogyBug" to view more information and photographs for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Leona's site is wide in scope with photographs and information about cemeteries in several Ohio counties such as: Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison and Union.

$1,000 reward offered for information about vandalism that occurred at two Leetonia Cemeteries - Salem Township, Columbiana County, Ohio

2011-12-18T20:22:00.004-05:00

Click on title to link to a November 19, 2011 news story from the "Salem News" about both the Oakdale Cemetery and Mt. Calvary Cemetery that suffered from recent vandalism damage.

Quoted from the newspaper story published online:

"Village Police Chief John Soldano announced Friday a citizen who wished to remain anonymous had donated $1,000 for the reward."

"He and Salem Township Constable Dan Valentine are working together in a joint investigation.

"Someone drove through both cemeteries, damaging headstones, reflector poles, wooden posts and some of the graves themselves, along with any mementoes left by family members for their loved ones final place of rest."

"Anyone with information about the acts of vandalism can call Soldano at:

330-427-6731 or,

call Valentine at 330-427-0808."

"Anyone wishing to contribute to increase the amount of the reward can also contact them at the phone numbers provided."

[~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~]

Currently, there are 834 interments listed for Oakdale Cemetery on "Find A Grave"

And

Mount Calvary Cemetery currently has 1,546 interments listed for it on "Find A Grave."

Sharing photographs from the "Facebook" page of the Vienna Historical Society of the August, 2011 preservation work done at the Vienna Township Cemetery.

2011-12-16T11:49:00.001-05:00

Click on title to access the "Facebook" page of the Vienna Historical Society, in Vienna Township, Trumbull County, Ohio.

The page has many wonderful photographs posted showing their work done in August of 2011 at the Vienna Township Cemetery.

Currently, the Vienna Township Center Cemetery, also known as the Vienna Memorial Cemetery, has 352 internments listed on "Find A Grave."

Newton Township, Trumbull County, Ohio - Newton Township Cemetery Association Selling Calendars - Saturday, December 10, 2011 - 10a.m. to 4p.m. at Newton Falls High School.

2011-12-09T22:54:00.001-05:00

Abstracted from the WeeklyVillager.com:

"Newton Falls – Newton Township Cemetery Association members will be at this year’s Home 44444 the Holidays again on December 10th to sell their 2012 calendars which are their fund-raiser for the year.

The funds help in the repair and upkeep of the seven township cemeteries.

This year’s calendar is a compilation of etches of historic buildings in Newton Falls that were drawn by former Newton Falls art teacher, Mr. Edward Sinchak.

He will be attending the event to sign calendars. They are sold for $10.00 each.

Anyone interested in learning more about the association and what it does will be able to get the information at this time.

If you are unable to attend you may phone 330-872-3116 or 330-872-0236 to purchase calendars or for more information about the association."

Cemeteries managed by the Newton Township Trustees:

Duck Creek

Lutheran

Pricetown

Newton Falls-East

Newton Falls-West

St. Michael’s

Wilderson

Update on Dean Cemetery - Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio - Maps and More.

2011-12-07T22:28:00.035-05:00

Scott Andersen has submitted additional photographs and details from his September, 2011 trip to the Dean Cemetery in Ross County. He and his wife, Venus, worked to clear weeds and other overgrowth from the Dean burial ground.

Scott placed pieces of paper with numbers by the stones he found and wrote the corresponding numbers on a handrawn sketch he created as a preliminary map for the Dean Cemetery.

Below are some of his results:

Above is a panoramic view of a portion of the Dean Cemetery

Above is Scott's preliminary sketch of the Dean Cemetery

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dean Cemetery

South Salem, Ross County, Ohio

From an exploration in September, 2011

By: Scott Andersen

1. Group of field stones along the south fence line.

These are not headstones, but they are cut or hewn stones.

2. Katherine Mark, 1807-1896.

This headstone has a poem on it, which I was not able to completely transcribe.

Katherine Mark

Died Nov 5 1896

In her 19 Year

“Remember Friends as You Pass….”

3. R. P. (Possibly this is Rachel Pummil 1779-1823)

4. John Milton.

John Milton

Daniel & Sa

Died Sep 22

In his 10 yr

This headstone is broken, and I believe that it should read:

John Milton son of

Daniel and Sarah

Died Sep 22 18XX

in his 10 year of age

5. Tall square marker, with “P. C.” inscribed upon it.

Also has a set of wings, and possibly a date.

6. Mary Brackney, 1778-1853. This headstone is in poor condition, cracked it two, and laying on the ground. There is more written on the stone beyond Benjamin Brackney’s name, but I was unable to transcribe it.

Mary

Wife of

Benjamin Brackney

7. Mary M. Lawhead, 1803-1833.

This headstone is on the ground, but is in good condition.

Mary M.

Wife of Thomas

Lawhead died Feb 11

1833 aged 30 years

8. William Lawhead, 1755-1823.

This headstone is in good condition, but is on the ground.

In memory of

William Lawhead

Who died Sep 29

1823 in his 66 year

9. Agnes Cunningham, 1757-1841.

This stone is in good condition

(Written as inscribed)

In memory of

Agnes wife of

Robert Cunning

Ham who departed

This life Aug 5th

1841 Aged 84

Years and 6 months

10. Samuel Cunningham, 1778-1845.

This headstone is in good condition

(Written as inscribed)

Samuel Cunning

Ham died June 9

1845

Aged 57 yrs 8 mo.

11. Small stone, broken off at the surface behind Samuel Cunningham’s stone.

12. R:C

Broken in two pieces, and on the ground.

13. Portion of a headstone, no writing visible. On the ground.

14. A D

This stone is in good condition, but is just laying around loose.

It was leaned up against Abraham Dean’s headstone when discovered.

15. Abraham Dean 1763-1806, Revolutionary War Veteran.

This headstone is in good condition, but is leaning severely.

In Memory of

Abraham Dean

Who died May 10

1806

In his 43 year

16. Group of cut fieldstones

17. Group of flat square stones, possibly the top of a grave.

18. Broken off headstone. No writing. On the ground.

19. Long rectangle of stone. No writing on exposed side. Another similar sized block abuts it, but is mostly buried.

(No. 20 - none)

21. H D

Stone in good condition, but has been broken off from its base.

22. Hannah Dean 1799-1828. This headstone is in good condition.

Memory of

Hannah wife of

John Dean

Who died April 19

1828 in her 29

Year

23. J. H. D. This small headstone is just in front of James H. Dean’s headstone. It is in good condition, standing up, but leaning.

24. James H. Dean 1822-1840. This headstone is in good condition.

James H. Dean

DIED

August 14th 1840

Aged 18 years 4 mo

& 16 days

25. Stones in a plot. One piece appears to be a finial.

26. Mary Polly Depew Dickey, 1791-1816. This headstone is in excellent condition.

In Memory of Mary Dickey

who died May 2 1816

In the 25 year of her age

-------------------------------

Ye young & gay come & see

The silent bed that waits for thee

Time was like you, we life possess’d

And time will be when you shall rest

27. Broken stone with no visible writing.

28. Alexander Wallace, 1803-1828.

This headstone is in good condition.

Memory of Alexander

Wallace who

died Sept the 4th 1828

Aged 25 years

29. John Wallace, 1765-1832.

This headstone is in overall good condition.

Difficult to read because of moss growth. Leaning back.

Memory of John Wall

Ace who died Feb 17

1832 Aged 67 Years

30. No visible writing. Otherwise, in good condition.

31. No visible writing. Otherwise, in good condition.

32. No visible writing. Somewhat 'pock marked.'

Headstone is leaning back, and could possibly have something written on its south side.

33. Headstone broken of near the surface.

34. Headstone fallen to the ground. No visible writing on exposed side.

35. M. D. Headstone is lying on the ground, but appears to be in good condition.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Below are photographs of some of the gravestones with identifying numbers:

#2 Above

#3, #4, and #5 Above

#7 Above

#8 Above

#9 Above

#15 Above

#26 Above

#28 Above

#30 Above

~~:):):):)~~

The Dean Cemetery currently has 26 memorials posted for it on "Find A Grave."

Information about the Akey/Supler (United Brethren in Christ) Cemetery in Perry Township, Logan County, Ohio

2011-12-02T22:59:00.001-05:00

The information below is from the Logan County Genealogical Society website:

"To all: Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Hello!

Some of you may be aware of the "saga" I have been going through for the past like 6 years (seems longer than that!) for the Akey/Supler (United

Brethren in Christ) Cemetery where the remains of our Henry Bolen still

rest. (Trying to reason with the owners to search out the cemtery, trying

to buy it, trying to help the township get it, trying to help the township

once they got permission to place a SMALL monument in a SMALL area in the very corner AWAY from the cemetery grounds, etc.) At any rate, at long last, friends of ours were able to purchase the ground including the

cemetery and, in keeping a promise they made to me if they ever got possession, I have been granted permission to "search" out the cemetery.

Having worked on several cemetery restoration projects in different counties in Ohio, we are VERY excited about this prospect! The current owners want to farm the surrounding land but are VERY interested in maintaining the integrity of the cemetery!

So, as we begin our "search" on the cemetery, I would greatly appreciate the forwarding to me of any information (not matter how small) that you may have relating to the cemetery....I and another lady in the township had worked to gather info for the township when they were trying to get possession of it and I will have that complete file but I am working to make sure that I have any and all information possible as we work on this project.

During the upcoming work time, we will keep everyone updated and if you live in the area or will be visiting the area and want to help, please contact me and we will work it out!!!!!!

937-935-2291 (me) 937-935-2583 (Matt - my husband)

937-666-5002 (home) m.wilson@2access.net (Matt's e-mail)

s.wilson@2access.net (my e-mail)

THANKS & I hope you are all as excited about this as I am!!!!!!!

Shawndel

Posting Photographs of the Mausoleums Damaged at Elmwood Cemetery - Lorain, Ohio

2011-11-27T15:53:00.002-05:00

The "Lorain MorningJournal" has published a plea to find families affected by the destruction of the mausoleums at Elmwood Cemetery.

The story was published on Thursday, November 10, 2011.

Click on the newspaper name above to read the story.

Unfortunately, as of November 26, 2011, many were already blocked in with cinder and cement blocks to ensure that further vandalism does not happen. Thus, the mausoleums can no longer be entered by any remaining family members.

Longer shot view of four of the Mausoleums that were broken into and were subjected to varying degrees of damage including removal of iron gate doors. Also several structures sustained removal one way or another of their stained glass windows from the sides.

The ones that had the iron railings over their stained glass windows were spared from being taken. I imagine in some cases, the criminals used the larger windows to gain entrance to the inside so they could work out of view without being as easily detected to remove and steal the doors.

This is the largest mausoleum at Elmwood Cemetery.

It belongs to the Thew family of Captain Richard Thew.

The Nielsen Family mausoleum that was severely damaged at Elmwood Cemetery

Louis and Elizabeth Szanto mausoleum with its removed front door.

Close-up view of the stained glass window on the Szanto mausoleum that was spared during the vandalism attack.

Mausoleum of A. T. Grills with door entrance blocked in as a permanent fixture now a part of the structure that renders the opening unaccessible.

Mausoleum of Harriet and William Little with blocked in front door opening.

Featuring the "Top 50 Contributors" of Memorials on "Find A Grave"

2011-11-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone, and especially to all of the wonderful followers of this blog. I appreciate your support so much!

In honor of Thanksgiving, please click on the title to link to the current "Top 50 Contributors" of memorials on "Find A Grave".

"Find A Grave" also recognizes the "Top 50 Contributors" in the categories of Photographs, Photo Requests Fulfilled, Virtual Flowers, and Fame Ratings. The names are all listed in random order.

I am in awe at the sheer numbers of contributions all of these people have made.

I am pleased to see "Find A Grave" featuring their "Top 50" contributors, however, I know that whether the number of contributions have been great or small, each person who contributed has helped others to discover the burial locations or final destinations of friends, relatives, and ancestors.

To my way of thinking, this is a 'win-win' outcome for everyone involved. I hope it continues as long as we have the Internet!

Update on Butcher Cemetery - North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

2011-11-20T17:05:00.001-05:00

An update to report on concerning Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio. It is now in its correct form.

There had been 47 erroneously posted memorials on it for about 3 months. The "Find A Grave" administrator has now removed them.

I was told that my emails to them (I emailed them at both edit@findagrave.com and info@findagrave.com) ended up somehow in their SPAM folder. I was just getting ready to mail all of the information to them in care of their physical address, so the timing of the notification was good.

From what I have learned from reading the "Find A Grave" forums, it is best to send over no more than 5 requests at a time or your wait will be longer.

It is always best to read the "FAQs" on "Find A Grave" as well as the forums for any updates made on this massive site that now boasts 71 million records.

Spotlighting Springfield Township Cemetery, Holland, Lucas County, Ohio

2011-11-17T19:42:00.001-05:00

Click on title to link to the official website for the Springfield Township Cemetery in Lucas County, Ohio.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are currently 4,095 interments listed for the Springfield Township Cemetery on "Find A Grave."

Honoring All Ohio Veterans on Veterans Day - November 11, 2011

2011-11-11T21:52:00.000-05:00

Remembering and honoring all of the Ohio veterans, both past and present, on this Veterans' Day, 2011.

Click on title to link to the "Ohio.gov" site with information about the two veterans' homes in the state of Ohio.

One is in Georgetown (Brown County) and the other one is in Sandusky (Erie County).

Link to the Ohio Veterans' Home Cemetery in Sandusky, Ohio on "Find A Grave."

Update on Hillsboro Cemetery Vandalism - Reward raised to $2,500.00

2011-11-08T20:08:00.001-05:00

Click on title to read an update in the October 19, 2011 issue of the Hillsboro "Times Gazette" (Timesgazette.com) about an increase in the reward being offered following the destruction of approximately 50 gravestones at the city cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio.

The story was written by Assistant Editor, Jeff Gilliland.

Abstracted from the story:

"Another anonymous donation has raised the reward to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for damaging headstones in the Hillsboro Cemetery on Oct. 7."

Vandals Steal Mausoleum Doors in Lorain Cemetery

2011-11-05T13:07:00.000-04:00

Vandals Steal Mausoleum Doors in Lorain Cemetery

Reporting Recent vandalism at Elmwood Cemetery in Lorain, Lorain County, Ohio

2011-11-04T19:33:00.000-04:00

Click on title to read a breaking news story filed by Mr. Bruce Bishop that is featured this evening in the Elyria "Chronicle-Telegram" newspaper's online "ChronicleOnline".

This sad story was also featured on local Cleveland television stations including Newsnet5 (ABC affiliate) during their 6p.m. newscast his evening.

Abstracted from the story:

"Seven mausoleums were damaged — Thew, J.M. Van Tilburg M.D., Tims, Nicholl, Szanto, Nielsen, Little and A.T. Grills."

Let's hope that the party or parties responsible for this vandalism crime will be apprehended soon so they do not continue at other area cemeteries. I plan to keep up to date on any progress with finding them, and what Elmwood Cemetery is ultimately going to do to replace the pieces that were stolen.

Flagpole Dedication Coming Up at the Copley Cemetery -- Friday, November 11th at 11:00a.m., 2011 in Copley, Summit County, Ohio

2011-11-02T11:48:00.000-04:00

Taken from the website: "Cleveland.com"

"Copley Cemetery, 3700 Copley Road, Copley. Flagpole Dedication.

A short ceremony will be held to dedicate the new 50-foot flagpole in the veterans section.

All are welcome to attend. 11 a.m. Nov. 11."

Currently, Copley Cemetery has 1,413 interments listed on the website "Find A Grave".

Sharing a newspaper story about preserving Cleveland's Historic Cemeteries

2011-10-31T10:07:00.001-04:00

Click on title to link to a story featured in "The Plain Dealer" that was published today entitled: "Cleveland will tap endowment to fix historic cemeteries."

It is superbly written by Thomas Ott. The depth of his presentation will certainly make readers more aware of the plight of Cleveland's cemeteries and their great need for further preservation. Thankfully, many people have already stepped up to help make it happen for these early burial grounds.

Quoted from the story:

"Cleveland owns 12 cemeteries, 11 of them more than a century old. The cemeteries are home to about 400,000 departed. Only West Park and Cleveland Memorial Gardens, located in suburban Highland Hills, still have gravesites available for purchase."

The Cleveland City website identifies all of the cemeteries with their addresses and links to maps.

New story about the Make-over of the 150-year old Middletown Cemetery, Middletown, Butler County, Ohio

2011-10-29T15:37:00.000-04:00

Here is a heartwarming story from "WCPO.com" of Cincinnati that was posted online on October 24, 2011 about how private donations helped spur along the restoration of the historic Middletown Cemetery.

A video accompanies the printed story.

Abstracted from the story:

"If you'd like to donate to the Middletown Cemetery, you can do it through the City of Middletown.

You can send checks, marked for the Cemetery account, to:

City of Middletown

1 Donham Plaza

Middletown, Ohio 45042

9 News will keep you informed about the progress of renovating the cemetery's historic vault house and restoring the many damaged tombstones."

Spotlighting "Tombstone Tuesday" on "Karen's Chatt"

2011-10-29T15:15:00.002-04:00

Click on title to link to "Karen's Chatt" and her "Tombstone Tuesday" entries.

Karen is Karen Miller Bennett.

Here is her biography information taken from her website:

"I am a Board-certified genealogist, registrar of the Lima Chapter NSDAR, and a past trustee, officer, and committee chair of The Ohio Genealogical Society. My main interests are cemetery research, German research, lineage societies, technology, and the west-central Ohio and east-central Indiana areas. I am also a Registered Dental Hygienist. Look for a variety of blog subjects, from genealogy to my other interests of music, reading, bird watching, gardening, and dentistry."

"I’d love to hear from you! Please send me an email at karen@karenmillerbennett.com."

Karen has a wonderful website! I know I've enjoyed visiting it.

Saving a small cemetery - A news story about the Alber / Crossview Cemetery in Seven Hills, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

2011-10-27T11:02:00.002-04:00

From the "Parma Sun Post" as published online by "Cleveland.com" on January 19, 2011:

"SEVEN HILLS The president of the historical society wants to be sure no unknown graves will be covered when a sidewalk is built on Rockside Road.

The county plans to build the sidewalk on the north side of Rockside, along part of which is the city-owned cemetery, known as Alber Cemetery, or Crossview Cemetery.

The sidewalk is part of a project to repave Rockside beginning in spring 2012.

The county engineer’s office is overseeing the job and is aware some sidewalk would go on land presently used as a cemetery. In December, the city gave the county an easement to land located east of North Crossview Road for the sidewalk. That easement was needed because the front boundary of the cemetery abuts Rockside.

“We are aware it is a cemetery,” Jamal Husani, chief transportation engineer for the county, said.

Judy O’Donnell, president of the Seven Hills Historical Society, said the county should be “extremely cautious because there might be (tomb)stones right there.”

O’Donnell said she launched an effort in the mid-2000s that persuaded the city to enforce ownership of the cemetery and to manage it.

She said Alber Cemetery dates back at least to 1852 and has at least one headstone and at least nine flat stones that likely were bases of headstones no longer there.

“You could pass it by and not know it’s there,” she said of the cemetery.

O’Donnell said the cemetery was more of a cemetery for a church once located next to it, than for a family. She said the real importance of the cemetery was that a Civil War Union veteran named Christian Link was buried there.

According to Husani, the new sidewalk was planned from Rockhaven Drive to Mural Drive, as well as from Broadview Road to Pinnacle Park Drive.

Also planned in the $4.3 million project is a decorative-style traffic signal mast arm at Crossview to be funded by the city, some curb repairs and driveway aprons. New sidewalks will put in where utility poles conflict with existing sidewalks, Husani said.

The cemetery is not the same as a cemetery known as Darrow Cemetery, located farther east by Old Rockside Road."

Currrently, "Find A Grave" has 4 burials for the Crossview Cemetery.

For more about the Alber / Crossview Cemetery, please view the following link from the "Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society" which provides an in-depth history: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ohcps/crossviewreport.html

Spotlighting Pleasant Hill Cemetery - Pleasant Hill - Newton Township, Miami County, Ohio

2011-10-26T13:39:00.000-04:00

The Pleasant Hill Cemetery, located on the western edge of the Village of Pleasant Hill (Miami County, Ohio), and on the north side of State Route 718, has a 2009 burial listing on the village's website.

Pleasant Hill Cemetery on "Find A Grave" currently has 4,827 interments posted online.

"Preserving Our Stone Records" - Geauga County Public Library, Chardon, Ohio - Tuesday, November 8, 2011 - 7 p.m. presented by Cheryl McClellan

2011-10-19T11:23:00.000-04:00

Fall and Winter are great seasons to attend workshops, seminars, and other programs that offer help and information with cemetery preservation issues.

Presenting details about one coming up

from the Geauga County Public Library's website:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Preserving Our Stone Records"

"Learn how to evaluate, care for, and preserve or replace family tombstones as a legacy for future generations.

Tuesday, November 8, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the meeting of the Geauga County Genealogical Society.

Registration not required.

Geauga County Library's Genealogy Information

110 East Park Street

Chardon, Ohio 44024

Telephone: 440-285-7601

Manager: Judith Smith

Email - chardon.library@geaugalibrary.info

Fall/Winter Hours

Monday - Thursday - 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Friday and Saturday - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sunday - 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Focusing on "Find A Grave's" Frequently Asked Questions & Thanking All Photo Volunteers!

2011-10-18T19:35:00.000-04:00

Part of this post is to briefly focus on "Find A Grave's" Frequently Asked Questions.

"Find A Grave" currently has 70 million grave records. We know that the number is somewhat misleading as there are duplicates and errors posted in these numbers.

"Find A Grave" is a massive site. Due to its ever growing size, I feel contributors are waiting longer these days for the administrators to answer emails and make revisions that we request.

I think it is a good idea to review the topics in the "FAQ's" routinely to keep curent with the changes to better understand them and know how they impact us.

On a brighter note, my faith in "Find A Grave" has been restored this week thanks to the kindness of two photo volunteers who took photographs of gravestones and posted them soon after I submitted my requests.

I wish to personally thank everyone who has ever taken a volunteer gravestone photograph. The photograph brings so much joy to the requester and volunteer alike.

Posting a gravestone photograph on a memorial that previously had none produces a win-win result for everyone. Because of that photograph, we have more assurance the memory of our friends and loved ones will be properly honored and their lives will not be lost to history.

Sharing a message from Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr. regarding "Find A Grave"

2011-10-16T20:23:00.005-04:00

Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr. wishes to inform others about his decisions regarding posting further memorials on the website "Find A Grave." I am sharing his message here.

Ralph's biography and contact information on his "Find A Grave"profile page can be accessed by clicking on the title above.

(a view of part of the Spain Cemetery above adjacent to the Maple Grove Cemetery in Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I am no longer personally creating memorials for "Find A Grave." I've never been concerned about the number of memorials I could create...only about those I could accurately create and manage. I will continue to maintain the memorials which I have created in the past, and to provide assistance to those in need.

I have taken more than 7000 photos of the markers in Maple Grove Cemetery, North Lewisburg, Ohio (about 4700 burials), and Woodstock Cemetery, Woodstock, Ohio (about 1600 burials), and will be happy to provide photos to anyone who is creating memorials on "Find A Grave" for individuals buried in either of these two cemeteries, OR anyone who requests photographs through the "Find A Grave" process. Contact me for assistance if you have a loved one, friend or associate buried in either of these two cemeteries.

There are a great many volunteers on "Find A Grave" who create vast numbers of memorials using only obituary notices. Often, many months or even years go by before photos of the grave markers are added - if ever - to these memorials. I personally believe that every memorial should have a photo of the gravesite marker, if one is available. And, this action should be as soon as possible after the posting of the memorial, regardless of who posts the photo. The gravesite marker sometimes draws attention to error(s) in the memorial text, and vice versa.

Some "Find A Grave" volunteers do not want any gravesite photos attached to their memorials unless they provide their own. Why then does "Find A Grave" have a feature for requesting photos of gravesites and attaching them to memorial pages? I don't believe maintenance implies ownership, unless the creator of the memorial is paying for the memorial to the exclusion of "Find A Grave's" advertising.

I have OFFICIALLY worked with the Board of Trustees of Maple Grove Cemetery and Woodstock Cemetery, Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio, to officially photograph the cemeteries and transcribe the official records of the cemeteries.

I can thus assist with information regarding individuals buried in these two cemeteries, or photographs of the gravesite markers.

I have the most extensive databases, created from transcribed original cemetery records, funeral home records, obituaries, and other sources. Even if a name which you are researching does not appear on the "Find A Grave" pages for these two cemeteries (Maple Grove Cemetery and Woodstock Cemetery) I can probably provide you with the available information. Don't hesitate to ask.

Incidentally, in 2012, the entire databases and photographs for Maple Grove Cemetery and Woodstock Cemetery, Rush Township, Champaign County, Ohio, will be published on the Internet for access by and use of family history researchers. Watch for advance notice of the publication date here."

Ralph can be contacted at:

Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr.

1536 Robins Circle

Ogden, Utah 84404

ralph.l.coleman.jr@gmail.com

Update on Dean Cemetery in South Salem, Ross County, Ohio on "Find A Grave"

2011-10-15T09:47:00.001-04:00

Scott Andersen has posted more gravestone photographs on "Find A Grave" that he took during his September, 2011 trip to the Dean Cemetery. Click on title here to view them.

There are currently 26 interments posted for the Dean Cemetery on "Find A Grave."

Expressing thanks again to Scott and his wife, Venus, for all of their hard work at the Dean Cemetery, and for documenting so many of the markers there before they either disappear or become completely unreadable.

Reporting Extensive Vandalism damage at the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro, Highland County, Ohio

2011-10-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

Click on title to link to an October 9, 2011 story published in the "Highland County Press" about recent vandalism damage of at least 50 gravestones at the Hillsboro Cemetery in Hillsboro.

A follow-up story ran on October 12, 2011 with an offer of a reward of $1,250 for information that leads to the arrest of those who are responsible for the destruction.

http://highlandcountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&subsectionID=73&articleID=10056

"All calls will be kept confidential.

Please call Sgt. Ron Priest at the Hillsboro Police Department at 393-3411."

"Ohio associations clean up national cemeteries" -

2011-10-12T13:52:00.000-04:00

For the full story, and the link to volunteer, click on title.

Below are a few paragraphs abstracted from the story:

"Since 1994, the Ohio Lawn Care Association, through its generous membership, has devoted countless hours and materials to the task of beautifying the hallowed grounds at the Dayton National Veterans Cemetery in Dayton.

ONLA is teaming up with OLCA to reach out to all members to join the organizations on Saturday, Nov. 12 for this greatest of events "A Grateful Embrace.” This year the organizations have added another site that is in great need of help. The "Ohio Western Reserve Cemetery” in Rittman, Ohio will experience its inaugural event by the same name and will run simultaneously with the Dayton project.

There will be doughnuts and coffee for volunteers upon their arrival and lunch upon completion of the day’s work. Promptly at 9:00 am, there will be a short ceremony at each venue capturing the spirit and humbleness of the event which will include guest speakers, Honor Guard and Benediction. Most of the materials (fertilizer) will be provided through the donations of industry suppliers; however OLA is asking that those who can donate five bags of fertilizer to the cause as well.

Attendees will need to bring spreaders, blowers and all of the manpower they can muster to help get 160 acres of turf fertilized on that day.

Arrival and check in times for each event will be 7:00 am and work should be completed by noon."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On "Find A Grave":

Dayton National Cemetery

Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery

Spotlighting Mayfield Union Cemetery - Mayfield Village, Cuyahoga County, Ohio & The Mayfield Township Historical Society

2011-10-10T19:27:00.000-04:00

Click on title to access the Mayfield Union Cemetery information contained on the Mayfield Village, Ohio website.

Also, the Mayfield Township Historical Society holds records for the Mayfield Union Cemetery at the Mayfield Township Historical Society Museum located at:

606 S.O.M. Center Road

Mayfield Village, OH 44143

mayfieldtownshiphistoricsociety@yahoo.com

For further information: 440.461.0055

Mayfield Union Cemetery currently has 462 burials listed on "Find A Grave"

Prayer Books

2011-10-09T17:06:00.000-04:00

Prayer Books

"Grave Addiction" is on Facebook!

2011-10-09T10:21:00.000-04:00

Please check out Beth Santore's "Grave Addiction" site on "Facebook"!

Some of its most recent photographs include those showing the cleaning and stone resetting work as it was done in progress at the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Somerset, Perry County, Ohio on October 8, 2011.

Abstracted from the description:

"On October 8, 2011 the Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies partnered with Historic Gravestone Services of New Salem, MA and the Perry County Historical Society to host a gravestone conservation workshop at the Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Somerset, Ohio."

Also, please note the "Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies" has their own "Facebook" Page where the photographs can also be viewed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Beth has done an outstanding job of promoting cemetery preservation in Ohio through her own website of "Graveaddiction" and the "Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies".

She has visited many Ohio cemeteries; both large and well-known, and small and little known, taking pictures of gravestones.

Being extremely knowledgeable on the subject of gravestone symbolism, Beth includes explanations of the meanings conveyed by the various symbols carved in gravestones. Understanding what the symbols represent can help us better identify the religious and other affiliations connected to the deceased during their lifetime.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

From the "Ohio Chapter of Gravestone Studies" Website: "General Information"	"For more information, please contact Beth Santore at graveaddiction@gmail.com"

Sharing a Newspaper story about the Putnam Cemetery, Devola, Muskingum Township, Washington County, Ohio

2011-10-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Sharing a link to a story by the Marietta Times in Marietta, Ohio that was published today online (click on title) about the Putnam Cemetery and its history dating back to 1820.

Many early settler names are included among those who were buried there including Putnam, Barker, Russell, and Devol.

Currently, there are 514 burials posted for the Putnam Cemetery on the website: "Find A Grave."

One famous interment is listed. It is for Major Israel Putnam.

Moore's Chapel Cemetery and the Shaw Family - Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio

2011-10-06T14:03:00.000-04:00

Click on title to read a story published on September 15, 2011 on "Akron.com" about the Moore's Chapel Cemetery in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio.

On September 10, 2011, an Ohio Historical Marker was unveiled honoring the Shaw family buried there.

The cemetery name on the marker is "Shaw Cemetery."

Per the article, Constant Shaw came to Bath Township after his sons Samuel (in 1829) and Sylvester (1832).

On October 6, 2011, a follow up newspaper story was published in the West Side Leader - "Bath Trustees thank historical marker donors"

Moore's Chapel Cemetery is also known as Morris Chapel Cemetery or the Shaw Cemetery.

It is cross-referenced on "Find A Grave" with the nod given to Morris Chapel Cemetery.

Currently, 11 interments are listed for it on "Find A Grave."

On "Ohiogravestones.org" The Moore's Chapel Cemetery currently lists 23 burials with gravestone photographs.

Remembering Steven Paul Jobs - Born: February 25, 1955 -- Died: October 5, 2011

2011-10-05T21:35:00.003-04:00

The title links to Steve Jobs' memorial posted today on "Find A Grave" -- "Find Famous Graves" Section.

Most of us were aware of just how sick of a man Steve Jobs was in the last few years of his relatively young life.

Today, he was granted eternal peace and freedom from his pain.

Steve Jobs left a legacy as grand and far reaching as any inventor from this century or the last that we might bring to mind.

His spirit now circles the heavens with the likes of Edison, Ford, and Bell, whose inventions reshaped the daily lives of untold millions during their lifetimes and for future generations of people they never got to meet.

May you Rest in Peace now and always Mr. Jobs.
Your earthly work is finished.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A poem for your journey:

"When Tomorrow Starts Without Me"

"The Dash" - By Poet Linda Ellis

Woodlawn Cemetery - Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio - Walking Tour - Sunday, October 9, 2011 - 1p.m.

2011-10-05T17:38:00.000-04:00

Click on title to link to the "ToledoBlade.com" column about the upcoming walking tour of Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo on Sunday, October 9, 2011 beginning at 1:00p.m. per the story.

From the "ToledoBlade.com" website:

"The walking tour is to conclude with refreshments and an opportunity to talk with the guides and re-enactors."

Please Note:

**"The walking tour is free. Registration is requested by Friday by email to mail@historic-woodlawn.com or by calling 419-472-2186."

Spotlighting "Tombstone Travels" - Saturday, October 22, 2011 - Logan, Hocking County, Ohio

2011-10-05T16:39:00.001-04:00

Click on title to link to the Home Page of "Tombstone Travels"

From the main page of "Tombstone Travels":

Logan, Ohio - in the beautiful Hocking Hills of southeast Ohio...

The past comes alive in the Old Logan Cemetery as costumed interpreters regale audiences with tales of the forefathers and foremothers of Logan Ohio. Guided tours begin at 4 pm, 6 pm and 8pm. Tickets are $10 each.

ONLY 450 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD!

Remembering Archibald M. Willard - Ohio's Patriotic Painter and Marian L. Moore who restored some of his frescoes

2011-09-30T20:28:00.001-04:00

Back in December of 2009, I featured Archibald M. Willard on this blog, but I would like to re-post his story today as I never tire of reading about his art and life.

Today, I updated the obituary for Marian L. Moore who died in 2003 (note: her gravestone death year shows 2002 in error).

Miss Moore did restoration work on the beautiful ceiling frescoes that Willard painted in her home in 1885 when he stayed in Washington Court House during the time he was hired to paint the large murals in the court house there. Please read the story below for the details.

Click on title to link to "Spirit of '76" Artist Archibald McNeal Willard's memorial on "Find A Grave." He was buried at the Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington, Ohio.

In 1999, I was asked to write a story about Archibald M. Willard for the Fayette County Genealogical Society (Fayette County, Ohio.)

Below is the story I wrote about Archibald Willard's life and art:

Archibald M. Willard - Ohio’s Patriot Painter

Written for the Fayette County Genealogical Society, a Chapter of O.G.S.) ©

By: Linda Jean Ellis - November, 1999

From all accounts, his artistic beginnings were of a self-taught and solitary nature. His early livelihood came from painting fancy scenes on the sides of horse-drawn farm and circus wagons for the E.S. Tripp Carriage Factory in Wellington, Ohio. Later, he would create a cartoon of sorts featuring his father as a marching militia drummer in a painting he dubbed “Yankee Doodle,” but today Archibald M. Willard is well remembered.

We have come to identify the ideals of liberty by his stirring revision of this portrait entitled: “The Spirit of ‘76” - painted by him at age 40. Staunch supporter and partner, Cleveland photographer, J.F. Ryder, was instrumental in the “Spirit of ‘76” (then still called “Yankee Doodle”) being included in the American Centennial Celebration’s art exhibition held in Philadelphia in 1876. Here, the call of the portrait was clear as many hearts were touched by this trio of mismatched musicians. Suddenly, the creator, this Ohio born Civil War veteran, was an unknown artist no longer.

Archibald McNeal Willard was born in Bedford (Cuyahoga County) Ohio to Reverend Samuel Willard and Catherine Willard. August 22, 1836 is the date shown in public records for Archibald M. Willard’s birth date, however, the A.M. and Nellie S. Willard family bible has August 26, 1836 written as the date of birth, in what appears to be the artist’s own handwriting. He was the fourth of seven children they would have. The family moved around quite a lot due to Archibald’s father’s occupation. Rev. Willard was the first pastor and founder of the Baptist Church in Bedford, however, he later joined the Disciples of Christ. About 1850, Rev. Willard moved his family to Russell Township in Geauga County (now South Russell) where he built a house which still stands today (1080 Bell Road - privately owned). Ultimately, the Willard family settled in

Wellington (Lorain County) Ohio around 1855.

Undoubtedly, young “Arch” as he was sometimes referred to, inherited some of his patriotic spirit from his grandfather, Jonathan Willard, who lived with the family for awhile. He was a Revolutionary War veteran who fought with the Vermont Green Mountain Boys. It is written that Archibald was a descendant of Major Simon Willard who came to America from England in 1634 and was a founder of Concord, Massachusetts.

On March 31, 1864, Archibald Willard married a Wellington girl named Nellie S. Challacombe. By that time he had already enlisted in the 86th O.V.I. during the Civil War. Later he joined the 176th O.V.I. and was discharged in June of 1865.

Now on to a mystery .... for a span of almost 75 years no one seemed to know who painted the three 10 x 14 foot murals of angelic-looking ladies suspended in the sky named “Spirit of Electricity,” “Spirit of the U.S. Mail,” and “Spirit of the Telegraph” on the second floor walls in the grand Victorian styled Fayette County Courthouse. No one remembered seeing an actual signature on them. Could it be that Willard’s “spirited” steps led to that stately structure? Then in 1956, Mr. B.E. Kelley of Washington Court House, and the widow of one of the founders of The Cooks Brothers Decorating Company in Cleveland verified that, indeed, Archibald Willard was the courthouse artist. The words: “A.M. Will... Cleveland, Ohio,” written on the envelope held by the hand of the “Spirit of the U.S. Mail” mural, were the only but crucial clue. Records did confirm that The Cooks Brothers Decorating Company was under contract by the Fayette County Commissioners in August of 1882, and that they hired Archibald Willard to complete this special project.

The Fayette County Commissioners today have printed a booklet entitled: “ Fayette County Courthouse - A Unique Blend of Art and Architecture” which details how A.M. Willard came to be chosen as the artist.

While staying in Washington Court House, Willard lived in a home with the current address of 501 East Market Street. Many local residents today know that **Miss Marian L. Moore bought this house and has lived in it for a number of years. In 1968, as she began to remove the living room wallpaper to redecorate, she discovered a mural above the fireplace. Again, with the help of Mr. Kelley, it was documented that Archibald Willard had painted this work as well.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Miss Moore, now age 87, by phone recently. She recounted her time in working on the restoration herself. She said she stood on a tall ladder wearing a carpenter’s apron, pads on her shins, and using two pair of glasses to carefully remove the paper, and then restoring the painting underneath. I’m sure Archibald Willard would be pleased with her devoted efforts to revive his eagle resting on a red, white and blue shield flanked by American flags mural as well as other painted decorations he created while rooming there; if only he could be here to see the results.

As I read more about this man’s life and works, I am all the more convinced that many of his creations are now lost to us. In the book, “The Spirit of ‘76 ... An American Portrait America’s best known painting. - least known artist.” (1976) written by Willard’s great-great nephew, Willard F. Gordon, a chapter is called “Lost Willard Paintings” and lists 65 of his works (including three sculptures) that were unaccounted for at that time. Over the years some have surfaced in northern Ohio in particular, but certainly not all.

Archibald M. Willard died on October 11, 1918 in Cleveland, Ohio. He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Wellington. No direct descendants survive him today.

My hope is this glimpse of Archibald Willard and his art encourages you to begin your own research which will acquaint you with him beyond what space here has afforded. And, perhaps you may find one of his lost paintings yourself - hidden somewhere - possibly in your own home!!

Sources:

Publications:

“The Spirit of ‘76 ... An American Portrait America’s best known painting. - least known artist.” by Willard F. Gordon 1976 - Extensive coverage of Archibald Willard’s works with photographs of many.

“Historic Wellington Then and Now” by Ernst L. Henes 1983 - pages 25-27

“Looking Back On Lorain County” by Ernst L. Henes 1978 - pages 27, 30, 31 and 40

“The Historian - A Look back at Lorain County” Vol. 6 Edition 242 - 1992 - pages 15 and 16

“The Ohio Historical Review - featuring Lorain County” Vol. 11, No. 10 - 1980 - page 11

“Bedford Village Views” by Dick Squire 1992 - pages 108-109; 343-344 and 347

“Bedford Vignettes or Around the Town by the Village Observer” by Dick Squire - 1982 - pages 274 and 275

“Remembering Archibald Willard” - By Dick Squire - Bedford Times-Register - August 21, 1986

“Murals at Wash. C.H., Ohio Identified After 72 Years” - By. B. E. Kelley - Tri-State Trader - Knightstown, Indiana - September 13, 1968

“Fayette County Ohio A Pictorial History” by Carol Witherspoon Carey on behalf of the Fayette County Historical Society 1993 - pages 69 and 172.

“Down Through The Golden Years” by B.E. Kelley - compiled by author in 1973 - pages 288, 289, 290; 862 and 863.

The Fayette County Commissioners brochure entitled “Fayette County Courthouse - A Unique Blend of Art and Architecture”

The Ohio Historical publication - “Archibald M. Willard and The Spirit of ‘76 - An Ohio Artist and His Work” - 1992 - a 24-page 8½” x 11”. The booklet which accompanied the Willard exhibit from July 4 through October 12, 1992

Geauga County Historical Society Quarterly - September, 1976 - Pages 2-4 “Yankee Doodle”

Historical Society Quarterly, Vol. III, No. 1, July, 1963 issued by the Geauga County Historical Society, Burton, Ohio - Pages 1 and 2, “Willard Paintings”

The Quarterly - Vol. 36, Issue #3, pages 1 and 2 - August, 1997 - “The Spirit of ‘76,” a publication of the Geauga County Historical Society.

“Pioneer and General History of Geauga County” - 1953 Edition - page 721 - published by the Geauga County Historical Society; Letter from Alfred M. Wilber about the old Willard home in Aurora.

“South Russell, A Brief History” - Spring, 1992 by Hosmer, Patricia and Phillip Wayne - a pamphlet showing the photo of the home built by Rev. Samuel Willard.

Places Visited for Research:

The Fayette County Courthouse, 110 East Court Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160

The Carnegie Library, 127 S. North Street, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160

The Fayette County Historical Society, 517 Columbus Avenue, Washington Court House, Ohio 43160

The Western Reserve Historical Society (Museum and Library), 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 (216) 721-5722.

The Bedford Museum, 30 Squire Place, Bedford Commons, Bedford, Ohio.

Spirit of ‘76 Museum, 201 North Main Street, Wellington, Ohio 44090

Herrick Memorial Library, 101 Willard Memorial Square, Wellington, Ohio 44090

The Ohio Historical Society, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211-

Geauga County Historical Society, 14653 East Park Street, Burton, Ohio 44021-0153.

Some other sites to consider visiting:

The City Hall of Cleveland, Ohio - an 8 foot by 10 foot “Spirit of ‘76” painted by request in 1912 by A. M. Willard - Often referred to as “The Original Masterpiece.”

Abbot Hall - Marblehead, Massachusetts - Known as the “Centennial Spirit of ‘76,” donated by the father of Henry K. Devereux, the boy who posed as the young drummer for the painting.

Spotlighting Calvary Cemetery - Dayton, Ohio

2011-09-29T19:31:00.001-04:00

Click on title to link to the website of the Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Serving the Miami Valley Catholic Community since 1872"

A link to a cemetery map is included.

Under the "Locate of Loved One" tab you can search by last name or first name.

Also, on "Find A Grave" for Calvary Cemetery the main page offers a link to Calvarycemeterydayton.com

Calvary Cemetery's address is 1625 Calvary Drive, Kettering, Montgomery County, Ohio.

The cemetery sits on the border of Dayton and Kettering.

32,565 interments are currently posted on "Find A Grave" for the Calvary Cemetery.

The Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies - "Beginners Gravestone Conservation Workshop" - Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery, Somerset, Reading Township, Perry County, Ohio - Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. - Register by October 3, 2011

2011-09-27T11:21:00.002-04:00

Click on title to access the website: "lostandfoundOhio.com" for more details about the announcement of an upcoming "gravestone conservation workshop" hosted by the Ohio Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies.

"To register, please contact Beth Santore, Ohio Chapter of the AGS chair, by October 3:

E-mail: graveaddiction@gmail.com

(This e-mail address is being protected from spambots.
You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Phone: 614-949-6027

“The Restoration of Cheney Cemetery” - Jackson Township, Union County, Ohio

2011-09-26T19:51:00.000-04:00

Click on title to link to Robert Bremer's "Genealogy and Local History in Union County, Ohio Cemeteries Jackson Township - Cheney Cemetery Inscriptions", part of the "Ohio GenWeb Project" through "Rootsweb", (please note copyright 2010) for an alphabetical listing of burials at the Cheney Cemetery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photograph (undated) of new Cheney Cemetery monument courtesy of John Bielstein Cheney and Randy Cheney

Thanking Debbie Carder Mayes for sharing some of her knowledge about her 4th great-grandparents, Ebenezer Cheney and his wife, Elizabeth Owens Cheney who settled in Jackson Township, Union County, Ohio.

Debbie provides an insight into the historical information about the Cheney Cemetery where her Cheney ancestors were buried. She also reports the results of recent extensive restoration work conducted at the Cheney Cemetery:

************************

"Cheney Cemetery is in Jackson Township, Union County.

(Near Essex, approximately 150 feet west of State Route 37 and 3/10 mile south of State Route 739).

Ebenezer Cheney’s family came to Union County, Ohio, in 1827. He was a War of 1812 veteran.

In 1828, his wife, Elizabeth Owen Cheney was the first person to die in Jackson Township. He donated part of his farm to Jackson Township to be a public cemetery. The last burial was in 1893.

Over the years, later owners of this property let cows graze in the cemetery and they knocked over a lot of the stones, breaking many of them. Someone, thinking he was doing a good deed, picked the stones up and leaned them around a tree so now they weren't on the plots where they belonged. A few years later, there was a big storm and lightening hit the tree and destroyed it. When the tree was destroyed, the stones all fell in a circular heap where the tree had been, causing more damage and breakage.

This was how it was the first time I was there. It was the most pitiful site I've ever seen. It was so sad looking that I only took a couple of pictures and wish now that I had taken more because I don't have many “before restoration” pictures.

The present owner wanted to plow the cemetery under but a man who worked for him thought that was desecrating the dead and he went to the township meeting to convince them not to let this happen.

Discussions on how to improve the historic cemetery had been taking place since 1999 at Jackson Township meetings. In 2001, a monument was ordered that lists the names of all those known to be buried there.

The earliest residents of Jackson Township include Benjamin Carter, the first settler and brother-in-law of Ebenezer Cheney, along with 7 American Revolutionary War veterans, 4 veterans from the War of 1812, and several Civil War veterans were buried at the Cheney Cemetery. Their names are listed separately on the lower section of the monument.

The historical and genealogy societies also began raising funds to restore the cemetery itself with estimates for the restoration ranging from $3,000 to $5,000.

Renovation began in March, 2005, using old WPA readings to mark the locations where the stones belonged.

The Hardin County Monument Company did beautiful work restoring the stones and got them repaired and reset by the end of April.

51 stones were repaired. About 70 people are believed to be buried there.

Of the 63 names on the monument, excluding those of the veterans, 38 are Cheneys or were related to the Cheneys by blood or marriage."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Website Links below:

Debbie Carder Mayes' "Cheney Family"

Debbie Carder Mayes' "Genealogy and Family History"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Original Gravestone of Ebenezer Cheney.

Photograph courtesy of Debbie Carder Mayes. (Photograph taken before cemetery restoration.)

Original Gravestone of Elizabeth Owen Cheney, wife of Ebenezer Cheney.

Photograph courtesy of Debbie Carder Mayes. (Photograph taken before cemetery restoration.)

Original Gravestone of Francis Cheney, son of Ebenzer and Elizabeth Owen Cheney.

Photograph courtesy of Debbie Carder Mayes. (Photograph taken before cemetery restoration.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2005 photograph courtesy of John Bielstein Cheney and Randy Cheney.

Undated photograph after restoration of the Cheney Cemetery courtesy of John Bielstein Cheney and Randy Cheney.

Spotlighting Cleveland Street Cemetery - Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio

2011-09-26T14:34:00.000-04:00

Click on title to access the Cleveland Street Cemetery on "Find A Grave" where currently 2,270 interments are listed:

Sharing a link to Amherst City Councilman-at-Large, Phil Van Treuren's website with 'before clean-up' and 'after clean-up' photographs taken at the Cleveland Street Cemetery in Amherst, Lorain County, Ohio.

http://www.philvantreuren.com/pics-from-our-cleveland-street-cemetery-cleanup-in-amherst/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Remarks by Councilman Van Treuren from his website about the cemetery clean-up that took place on Saturday, September 24, 2011:

"Thanks to everyone who showed up for our Cleveland Street Cemetery cleanup project this morning, it was a huge success! Our group cleaned up trash, pulled weeds and trimmed invasive growth away from several historical grave sites. We even uncovered a century-old gravestone that had been hidden by invasive growth for decades!

NOTE: Our volunteers did NOT cut down any vegetation that was planted by people. We removed a few mulberries that were invasive (not planted by people). Planted evergreens that obscured gravestones were trimmed down, but not removed.

I’d also like to give a very special thanks to organizer Linda Turley, City Council At-Large candidate Joe Miller, and First Ward Council candidate Albert Bereznay for coming to help. Your efforts to spruce up one of Amherst’s greatest historical treasures are much appreciated . . . what a great way to celebrate Amherst’s 200th birthday!

I personally have several ancestors buried in the Cleveland Street Cemetery."

Wrap-Up Report for Clean-Up Work at Dean Cemetery, Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio by Scott Andersen

2011-09-24T14:27:00.004-04:00

Scott Andersen and his wife, Venus, have wrapped up their clean-up work for this visit at the Dean Cemetery on Thursday, September 22, due to rain at the cemetery on Friday.

He sent more photographs, including one of himself and Venus, while they were at the Dean Cemetery.

I thought it would be nice to share these photographs and some of Scott's comments.

September 20, 2011 - Scott Andersen kneeling by broken pieces of stone markers. (See last three photographs for more about these stones.)

September 22, 2011 - Venus Andersen brushing off a broken gravestone

Leaning gravestone for Abraham Dean - Revolutionary War Veteran

Leaning gravestone for James H. Dean

Gravestone for Mary Polly Depew Dickey, wife of Rev. James H. Dickey

Broken partial gravestone for John Milton, son of Daniel and Sarah who, per Scott, could actually be John Milton Robbins.

Full inscription: Died September 22, 1840, in his 10 year of age.

Per Scott, the initials "R P" are inscribed on this tall stone marker of undetermined purpose.

Per Scott, the initials "P C" are inscribed on this tall stone marker. He thought it could stand for "Presbyterian Church." He says: "This cemetery is the site of the original Presbyterian Church of South Salem."

Wrap-Up Remarks from Scott:

"I spent my last morning at the cemetery trying to document as much as I could.

I numbered all of the stones we had found, and tried to take as many pictures as possible.

It was so wet, I don't know how well they really came out.

I drew a little map of the cemetery, and will clean it up, and make it into something presentable when I get home.

There are so many stones out there! You find them lying half buried as you cut along.

As far as finding "all" of the stones in the cemetery, I think that we have really just scratched the surface."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you Scott for sharing your photographs and interesting details about your work at the Dean/Old Dean Presbyterian Cemetery.

Until your recent visits and now 2011 clean-up work at this remote burial ground, it had been neglected and forgotten; but thankfully no more!

September 22, 2011 Update - Dean Cemetery - Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio

2011-09-23T10:00:00.004-04:00

Here is the latest report from Scott Andersen, who with his wife, have spent 3 days thus far this week working on clearing away the tall weeds and brush at the Dean Cemetery in Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio.

Per the book, "Ohio Cemeteries - 1803 - 2003" published by the Ohio Genelogical Society - page 559: "Dean Old Presbyterian - Location: South of Lyndon. From SR 28 at Lyndon go 0.6 mile south on Lyndon Salem Road
to just north of Buckskin Creek. East of Lyndon Salem Road 0.4 mile. Coord: 39" 20' 49.87" N, 83 degrees 17'49.23" W. South Salem."

Below is an excerpt from Scott's latest email.

Please note, below Scott's email are 3 photographs he took during their 3 days of work at the Dean Cemetery:

"We only spent about 3 hours working in the cemetery today, as a few other commitments pulled us away. We cleared out a lot of the brush, and really opened up the cemetery. Thistle and briar are awful plants! A few more headstones made themselves visible, and what seems to be the remains of a vault lid or "cap", has also shown up.

For the time being, we have just been leaving things as find them. My wife did pour water on, and scrub on a few of the stones, she just got too curious to pass them by.

One thing that was rather interesting; The headstone of Mary Dickey. Mary Dickey is actually Mary Polly Depew, 1791-1816.

Mary was married to my 5th Great Uncle, James Henry Dickey. There is a poem on her headstone. We need to work on the third line of it a bit more, as its hard to read the inscription.

"Ye Young and Gay Come Near and See

The Silent Bed that Waits for Thee

Time was like you, one Life Posses'd

And Time will be When You Shall Rest"

Anyone recognize that?

Hoping to spend most of the day out there Friday, provided the rain doesn't start falling again.

We are planning to spend some time documenting and recording in detail what we've found so far, and then attack the world of six foot tall weeds again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Enjoy Scott's photographs that definitely show the clean up progress accomplished in just 3 days of time - (the latest photgraph appears first at the top)!

Thanks for sharing Scott!

ABOVE: Day 3 - September 22, 2011 further clean up and digging up of some gravestones by Scott Andersen at the Dean Cemetery

ABOVE: Day 2 - September 21, 2011 beginning of clean up of weeds, etc. by Scott Andersen at the Dean Cemetery.

ABOVE: Day 1 - September 20, 2011 prior to start of clean up and digging up of gravestones by Scott Andersen at the Dean Cemetery.

Scott Andersen's Update on his work at the Dean Cemetery, Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio

2011-09-21T21:38:00.009-04:00

September 21, 2011, Update from Scott Andersen:

"It rained all morning here, so we only went out to the cemetery for an hour or so this afternoon.

Rather than cut brush, we decided to have a closer look at the stones we uncovered yesterday.

There were several that were just plain worn down, and for the time being, unreadable. However, there were a good number that we could read."

We found:

Catherine Mark, 1809-1829

Benjamin Brackney, died 1826

Agnes Nancy Cunningham, 1557-1841

(gravestone photo already on Find A Grave)

Samuel Cunningham, 1778-1845

(gravestone photo already on Find A Grave)

James H. Dean, 1822-1840

Mary Polly Dickey, 1791-1816

Mary Lawhead, 1803-1833

(gravestone photo already on "Find A Grave" - but needs a better one)

William Lawhead, 1755-1823

(gravestone photo already on "Find A Grave" - but needs a better one)

John Milton

(gravestone photo already on "Find A Grave"
A beautifully carved stone!)

Alexander Wallace, 1803-1828

and most significantly

Abraham Dean, 1763-1806

"Abraham Dean is one of those Revolutionary Veterans who has a monument over at the South Salem Cemetery.

This gives me hope that we may actually find Robert Dickey's stone in the cemetery as we continue to cut brush.

Abraham's son, James Dean, not the James H. Dean we found today, married one of Robert Dickey's daughters, and this is how my family is linked to the Deans.

Nelle Miller's middle name was Dean, so I think these families had close bonds for many years."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Additional Note:

Hopefully, Scott will also locate a gravestone for James McGinnis (1744 - 1822) because currently there is a photo request for his gravestone posted on "Find A Grave". He is also listed as a Revolutionary War Veteran.

Progress Report from Scott Andersen on his work at the Dean Cemetery - Buckskin Township, Ross County, Ohio

2011-09-20T19:46:00.001-04:00

Scott Andersen will be sending progress reports this week about his current work at Dean Cemetery in Buckskin Township in Ross County, Ohio.

Scott has visited Dean Cemetery in the past but is now working to unearth buried gravestones and clean away the overgrowth there.

Click on title to access Dean Cemetery's memorials posted on "Find A Grave" where currently 21 are listed.

Here is an excerpt from Scott's email today:

"Found 22 headstones today at the Dean Cemetery. We worked for about four hours. Planning to do the same tomorow. We didn't try to read any of the stones today, just trying to locate as many as possible at this point. I 'll have another report tomorow."

Thank you Scott!

Looking forward to receiving your next report and later photographs you wish to share with us.

Monroe Street Cemetery - Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

2011-09-16T10:02:00.002-04:00

Click on title to access the website for the Monroe Street Cemetery Foundation to view a list of their upcoming events which includes this Sunday, September 18 at 2:00pm.

I am not sure if a person can attend without registering and paying the $15.00 fee ahead of time, however, if you are interested to learn more you can contact them at:

Monroe Street Cemetery Foundation

3302 Hancock Ave.

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Phone: 216 961 6945

Email: mscf3207@att.net

Click here for the Registration Form link:

From their website:

September 18th

Tours start at 2:00 PM

"Meet the Neighbors: Monroe Goes to War Edition returns and this time it is all about the Civil War. How appropriate since this year is the sesquicentennial of the start of that purging of our national pride. Monroe Street Cemetery is the resting place of over 400 veterans of the CW but also is the resting spot of an avid abolitionist who spoke at a memorial after John Brown was hanged, the operator of a stop on the Underground Railroad, the leader of the Fugitive Slave Society of Cleveland, and, believe it or not, a Confederate soldier. Remember the Civil War during this sesquicentennial year. Join us for a guided tour of Monroe Street Cemetery.

The Southern Ohio Genealogical Society's September meeting to be held on September 15, 2011 at 6:30p.m. at the New Market Baptist Cemetery in New Market Township, Highland County, Ohio

2011-09-13T08:30:00.004-04:00

The information below provided by Bob Patton of the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society:

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Don’t forget the September meeting of the Southern Ohio Genealogical Society, which will be held Thursday, September 15 at 6:30 PM in the New Market Baptist Cemetery.

The topic will be cleaning and restoring old tombstones, and using mirrors and/or chalk to aid in reading very old monuments.

This is a topic which should be of interest to anyone who is into genealogical research.

The New Market Baptist Cemetery is located on East New Market Road, just a few hundred feet east of Route 62, in the village of New Market.

There will be very little walking. You may want to bring a folding lawn chair. Hopefully, an umbrella will not be necessary.

See you September 15 at 6:30."

Bob and Joyce Patton
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click on title to access the New Market Cemetery on "Find A Grave" where there are currently 335 memorials posted.

Revisting Simeon Shepard

2011-09-11T15:23:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I received a nice email from Mary Whitmer that I would like to share regarding Simeon Shepard:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My connection is that my 3 greats grandfather married a Sarah Sheppard as his first wife.

I think Simeon probably was her father. If you read the article about the finding of the headstone dated Aug. 20, 2011, it says the headstone is inscribed Died in 1864 at age 82 years and 16 days. This matches what is inscribed on the marble monument in the Andress cemetery. I think it was the same person! What I have to wonder is why there were two monuments, and of course, how the second one wound up in Lorain. What do you think?

Sincerely,

Mary Whitmer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now, here is the best part!

!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!"Speculation continues over headstone"

Saturday, August 20, 2011

By ALLISON STROUSE

astrouse@MorningJournal.com

"LORAIN — After two days of searching and calling, the mystery behind why Simeon Shepard's headstone is in the back yard of a West 23 Street, Lorain, home isn't known, but there is a plausible theory.

"It was either replaced or stolen," Diane Wargo Medina said.

Since she was 19 years-old, Medina has been helping care for the Charleston Village Cemetery on West Sixth Street, Lorain.

So when she heard about the backyard tombstone she was determined to discover where Shepard came from and belonged.

Her investigation ended up being very fruitful, as she studied U.S. Census and death records.

"The date of death matches and they were from the Lorain County area," she said.

There is a monument at Andress Cemetery with Simeon and his wife, Aseneth, names.

Aseneth passed away a few years after Simeon.

Which is one of the reasons, Medina believed that the headstone could have been replaced.

Whether the stone ended in the West 23rd Street back yard by accident or on purpose, she believes it belongs in one place only.

"I personally think that (the headstone) should go back over there (cemetery)," she said.

Medina, who repairs headstone at the West Sixth Street cemetery, stated that she would be happy to help relocate and repair the stone.

"I will gladly repair it," she said. "It should go back."

While the mystery of how the headstone ended up in the backyard may never be solved, the mystery of who Shepard was has been.

Shepard was a farmer, born in Massachusetts, who moved to Henrietta with his wife, Aseneth and their daughter, Sarah Shepard, according to the website familysearch.org.

He died in 1864 at age 82 years and 16 days, according to the grave stone.

URL: http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2011/08/20/news/mj4931603.prt

Spotlighting "Adopt A Tombstone" - Fairview Park Cemetery - Fairview Park, Cuyahoga County, Ohio

2011-09-11T10:20:00.000-04:00

Click on title to access the website: "AdoptATombstone.com":

"Definition of Adopt-A-Tombstone:

Adopt-A-Tombstone is a community project to restore historical markers, please consider getting involved.

How adoption works:

You can volunteer to take ownership for the restoration work performed on a gravestone, monument or tombstone

You can make a financial donation to be used for the purchase of supplies and material necessary for the project.

If you have a special talent or skill that would be helpful to make this project successful that you are willing to donate your time and knowledge.

Type of work performed by volunteers:

Light duty - cleaning a small stone; takes about 1 hour.

Somewhere between Light & Heavy duty - clean and detail a large monument; takes about 4 hours.

Heavy duty - lower a monument so the base can be leveled; perform the restoration and repairs; raise the stone back into position; takes about 8 hours, min.

~ Adopt-A-Tombstone ~

Cuyahoga County, Ohio

FairviewParkCemetery@gmail.com or call 440-356-9454

Email Chris Gerrett:

fairviewParkCemetery@gmail.com

developed by Marcus Gerrett 3/20/2007

Offering a suggestion for a befitting gift for an avid "Graver" -- "Final Thoughts - Eternal Beauty in Stone" Book by John Thomas Grant is available via Amazon (pre-order)

2011-09-05T12:34:00.003-04:00

Click on title to access Amazon.com where you can place your order for the John Thomas Grant book "Final Thoughts - Eternal Beauty in Stone". You may also wish to read more about Mr. Grant's book on the blog:

"All Things Victorian"

Or,

You can order directly from Mr. Grant and obtain an autographed copy!:

"We're happy to announce that - FINAL THOUGHTS: ETERNAL BEAUTY IN STONE - can now be purchased as a signed copy. The proceeds will go to benefit the completion of Lisa's book, "The Fashionable Victorians."

With the book we'll include one of our JOHN THOMAS GRANT collectible cards - The Mourning Angel - and the book cover card (both signed). They make good bookmarks, framed pieces, or just save them for posterity. Never can tell ...what they may be worth on some future Antique Roadshow:)) Your kids will be thrilled!"

As some of my fans have expressed it:

"John, your use of your art, the beauty of the images and the power evoked by the written words will do more for cemetery preservation than any group, website, or individual could hope to aspire to." Robin Biddle

"John Grant’s photographs show us that cemeteries may be the realm of the dead, but they are for the living. Get thee to a cemetery. And see it through John Grant’s eyes and heart. View the photographs in Final Thoughts with your heart. They do not speak of death. They most assuredly speak of life." Douglas Keister (author)

The total package for the book & cards, postage & packaging is only $43! All signed!

(International postage will increase postal rate; local pickup or delivery will eliminate postal charge)

To process your order, you need only to select one of the following payment options:

1. Via Paypal - jtgrant19@gmail.com or Lisa@victorianalady.com

2. Call us with your visa, mastercard, or discover card - 570-655-8392

3. Send a check to: John Thomas Grant, P.O. Box 3278, West Pittston, PA. 18643

Allow approximately 6 weeks for your package to arrive. We're doing this so that we can place our order with the publisher. They would still have to receive FT from the manufacturer. But they're on the way!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editorial Reviews

Product Description

"The story of life and death in America as told through beautiful cemetery art photography accompanied by meaningful epitaphs from cemeteries up to 300 years old. View 68 cemeteries in 224 beautiful photographs that breathe life into existence of those who have passed before us, and who are now enshrined for eternity in landscaped paradises. Within each placid scene and through heartfelt words displayed upon markers, join photographer John Thomas Grant in his one-of-a-kind study of an American tradition."

**************************
About the Author

"After 30 years in the music business, John Thomas Grant's new creative outlet came through the lens of the camera. Genealogy introduced John to the cemetery. The cemetery gave John back his life. Final Thoughts is his first adventure."

"Author/photographer John Thomas Grant
John & Lisa aka Victoriana Lady
The Passion Projects, John Grant & Victoriana Lady Lisa,thank you all for your kind support!!"

Update on Sugar Grove (Methodist) Cemetery - Perry Township - Fayette County, Ohio

2011-09-05T11:07:00.000-04:00

Click on title to access the Sugar Grove (Methodist) Cemetery on "Find A Grave". Currently, there are 29 memorials listed.

Below is an update from the Perry Township, Fayette County, Ohio Trustees regarding the care and upkeep of the Sugar Grove Cemetery:

"We are not sure about the future? All we can say is the church owns the cemetery at this time and they are responsible for it at this time."

Spotlighting Robert Dickey buried at the Dean Cemetery in Ross County, Ohio

2011-09-04T19:53:00.002-04:00

Click on title to view Capt. Robert Dickey's memorial on "Find A Grave"

Per Scott Andersen, the photograph of the Robert Dickey Stone and the row of new government gravestones is actually at the South Salem Cemetery.

"I believe someone put up that row of memorials to honor the men of Ross County who fought in the Revolution, but did not have a known Grave site."

"At least two of the memorials are for men buried less than a mile away in the Dean Cemetery."

Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Clinic - October 22, 2011

2011-09-03T17:56:00.003-04:00

I just learned about this upcoming cemetery restoration clinic coming up in Lebanon, Warren County, Ohio.

Registration dealine is October 9th!!

Below is more detail about it.

Click on title to access the website.

Thank you!!

CEMETERY RESTORATION CLINIC, PIONEER CEMETERY, LEBANON, OHIO http://goo.gl/ovwmL

HURRY! REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 9th, 2011.

Our third Annual Cemetery Restoration Clinic is being held this year at the historic Pioneer Cemetery in Lebanon, Ohio,

The clinic runs from 9 AM to 4 PM at the Pioneer Cemetery in Lebanon, OH. and is conducted by preeminent restoration professionals Walt and Mickie Walters of Graveyard Groomers.

The clinic will include in-the-field lectures, demonstrations and hands-on work. Topics covered will be basic cemetery preservation principles such as identifying types of stone, proper techniques for cleaning, straightening and resetting stones. Also covered will be advanced techniques of repairing broken stones, mortaring cracks and resetting monuments.

In the afternoon, participants will apply what they have learned with hands-on restoration work.

Attendance is limited to 50 people.

Print out and mail the registration form found on our website at http://goo.gl/ovwmL

or,

Call the society at 513-695-1144.

Our Virtual Cemetery Page for the Pioneer Cemetery can be viewed at:

http://goo.gl/Kxcjv

It contains photos of 416 of the 589 known burials in this historic cemetery dating back to 1799.

There are 20 known veterans buried here
5 from the American Revolution

9 from the War of 1812
4 from the Civil War
and
2 from the War with Mexico.

YOU SHOULD ATTEND THIS CLINIC IF....

"If you are interested in caring for or seeing that cemeteries are maintained and restored!

If you are responsible for cemetery maintenance or oversight!

"If you are a Scout interested in a cemetery project for a Merit Badge!

"If you are interested in passing on to younger generations the knowledge of preserving cemeteries!

The Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery is located five blocks west of downtown Lebanon on East Main St.

Cost of the clinic is $35. Reservations must be made by October 9th.

Call the Warren County Genealogical Society at 513-695-1144.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

October 22, 2011

Lebanon, Ohio

Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery Restoration Clinic

The Warren County Genealogical Society will sponsor a day-long cemetery restoration clinic on Saturday, October 22, 2011, at the Lebanon Pioneer Cemetery in Lebanon's Historic District.

This day-long clinic will empower participants providing them with the tools needed to document, preserve and restore grave markers. The clinic will demonstrate in step-by-step fashion how to preserve and restore a cemetery, with recommendations as to what lay people should and should not undertake.

In the workshop participants will learn the basics of gravestone repair and preservation: proper cleaning of gravestones, how to level stones, build new bases and repair broken stones.

During the workshop and under the supervision of experienced professionals, participants will have the opportunity to work on actual grave markers.

A detailed handout is included that clearly describes the correct and incorrect ways to approach preservation and conservation.

The clinic will be conducted by preeminent restoration professionals, educated in the principles of grave marker restoration and graveyard conservation as established by and studied at the Association for Graveyard Studies of Greenfield, Massachusetts.

The City of Lebanon granted landmark status to the Pioneer Cemetery in order that the community may respect this consecrated ground and better understand and appreciate the pioneer settlers and the early history of Lebanon, Turtlecreek Township and the surrounding area.

“The Pioneer Cemetery is at the intersection of W. Main Street and West Street, six blocks west of the town square in Lebanon, Ohio.

It encompasses an entire block and is comprised of two old church graveyards.

No fence or barrier of any kind is known to have separated the two cemeteries.

“The Old Baptist Graveyard is on the north side. In 1811, the Baptists moved their church from a site east of Lebanon to what is now the northwest corner of the Pioneer Cemetery. It would remain a Baptist house of worship until 1860, when the church across from the cemetery entrance was built. As was the practice at that time, the churchyard was also used as the church graveyard." - John Zimkus, Education Director, Warren County Historical Society.

The clinic runs from 9 am-4 pm and includes extensive workshop materials.

Cost is $35.

This clinic is sponsored by the Warren County Genealogical Society with the cooperation and support of the City of Lebanon.

For more information see:

http://www.pioneer-cemetery.org/

Email: Terry_Easton@cinci.rr.com

513-294-8752

Or the WCGS

513-695-1144

WWI veteran Edward George Klaus' gravesite at Elyria's Brookdale Cemetery is unmarked no more

2011-08-28T16:21:00.002-04:00

Click on title to read the wonderful Elyria Chronicle-Telegram story of August 28, 2011 about how the gravesite of WWI veteran, Edward George Klaus, is now finally marked with a gravestone at Elyria's Brookdale Cemetery.

Spotlighting Guilford Township Cemeteries in Medina County, Ohio

2011-08-24T20:17:00.001-04:00

Click on title to link to a website about the Mound Hill Cemetery in Seville, Ohio and River Styx Cemetery in Wadsworth, Ohio.

Both cemeteries are located in Medina County.

Much history is provided for these cemeteries.

Floral and ground regulations are also stated.

Links are provided to "Find A Grave" memorials posted for these two cemeteries.

Finding the Tombstone of Simeon Shepard in a Lorain Backyard

2011-08-20T09:21:00.006-04:00

Click on title to read the story and view the video about how a Lorain, Ohio man found the old broken tombstone of a man named Simeon Shepard while cleaning his back yard.

The homeowner did the right thing by contacting authorities.

Often times, when stones like Simeon Shepard's are found on private property it is not because they were buried there. A thin tablet gravestone like Simeon Shepard's seen in the video most likely is an original stone.

Later, a new stone was purchased by someone who took the old one home, or it was discarded and picked up by someone else.

I checked the website "Find A Grave" for a Lorain area man named Simeon Shepard and found five memorials posted for men with his name in America.

One is for a Simeon Shepard buried in Lorain County at the Andress Cemetery in Henrietta, Ohio. He died on June 16, 1864 and a photograph of his white marble monument is included in the memorial.

With the current information available, I feel it is possible that there could be either a reinterment involved or simply a new headstone that replaced the original stone for Simeon Shepard.

The original tablet gravestone also with the death date of June 16, 1864 for Simeon Shepard, was at some point brought to Lorain - but the reasons behind the move will likely remain a mystery.

Below is an updated story that sheds more light:

Friday, August 19, 2011

By ALLISON STROUSE
astrouse@MorningJournal.com

"LORAIN — The headstone Terrance and Jennifer Scott found in the back yard of their West 23rd Street rental home, has generated lots of interest and speculation as to where it came from.

Some people, including Nesbitt Burton Jr., believe the headstone belongs at Andress Cemetery in Henrietta Township.

He referenced "Cemetery Inscriptions of Lorain County," which was published in 1980. He believes the grave marker was taken after the 1980s but is unable to say for sure.

A picture was sent in by Kevin Myers showing the grave marker of Simeon Shepard at the Andress Cemetery.

The picture shows a tall white stone column, unlike the flat short stone found in the Scott's back yard.

Some readers left comments on The Morning Journal's website."

Weneedchange stated that they too know where the headstone belonged.

"I think I know where that stone came from," they said. "On the corner of 22nd and Pole there use to be a cemetery and the stones there mysteriously vanished."

Ohio Revised Code Regarding Vandalism

2011-08-16T23:02:00.000-04:00

"What punishment should be given to individuals who are found guilty of desecrating, vandalizing, or otherwise intentionally damaging cemetery markers, crypts, vaults, mausoleums, fences or buildings?"

If you have an opinion, please post!

2909.05 [Effective Until 9/30/2011] Vandalism.

(E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of vandalism. Except as otherwise provided in this division, vandalism is a felony of the fifth degree that is punishable by a fine of up to two thousand five hundred dollars in addition to the penalties specified for a felony of the fifth degree in sections 2929.11 to 2929.18 of the Revised Code. If the value of the property or the amount of physical harm involved is five thousand dollars or more but less than one hundred thousand dollars, vandalism is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the property or the amount of physical harm involved is one hundred thousand dollars or more, vandalism is a felony of the third degree.

(2) “Serious physical harm” means physical harm to property that results in loss to the value of the property of five hundred dollars or more.

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2909.05 [Effective 9/30/2011] Vandalism

(E) Whoever violates this section is guilty of vandalism. Except as otherwise provided in this division, vandalism is a felony of the fifth degree that is punishable by a fine of up to two thousand five hundred dollars in addition to the penalties specified for a felony of the fifth degree in sections 2929.11 to 2929.18 of the Revised Code. If the value of the property or the amount of physical harm involved is seven thousand five hundred dollars or more but less than one hundred fifty thousand dollars, vandalism is a felony of the fourth degree. If the value of the property or the amount of physical harm involved is one hundred fifty thousand dollars or more, vandalism is a felony of the third degree.

(2) “Serious physical harm” means physical harm to property that results in loss to the value of the property of one thousand dollars or more.