Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in the Great State of Ohio

Dedicated to cemetery preservation in the great state of Ohio


"A cemetery may be considered as abandoned when all or practically all of the bodies have been Removed therefrom and no bodies have been buried therein for a great many years, and the cemetery has been so long neglected as entirely to lose its identity as such, and is no longer known, recognized and respected by the public as a cemetery. 1953 OAG 2978."

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Spotlightling Samuel Crooks - Sheep Pen Cemetery - Madison Township, Highland County, Ohio

Click on title to link to the Samuel Crooks memorial on the website "Find A Grave"

Every Name Index Veterans’ Burial Records Recorder’s Office Highland County, Ohio
Published by The Southern Ohio Genealogical Society, page 9:
“CROOKS, Samuel buried in (MAD) Madison Township at (LIM) Limes Cemetery
Recorded in Volume 5, on page 23.”
Samuel Crooks was a Private in Co. “I” of the 168th Regiment during the Civil War. On page 397 of The Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 – 1866 – Vol. IX – “Crooks, Samuel, age 33, date of entering service, May 2, 1864 for 100 days. Wounded June 11, 1864 in Battle of Cynthiana, Kentucky; discharged October 18, 1864 at Covington, Kentucky, on Surgeon’s certificate of disability.”

Friday, April 23, 2010

Charles E. Evans - Butcher Cemetery, North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

Click on title to link to the "Find A Grave" memorial for Charles E. Evans buried at the Butcher Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio.
Sharing an email sent April 22, 2010 from Janie Martin Whitty, great-great granddaughter of Charles E. Evans.

I am trying to contact you. I am the Evans/Underwood descendant of Charles E. Evans, Civil War Veteran buried in Butcher/Garwood Cemetery in Champaign County, Ohio, mentioned in your PDF file at the North Lewisburg website (I am OhioHeritage with the Evans/Underwood family histories). Charles E. Evans was my Great-great grandfather, and I also have info on the Underwood family (Francis Sara Jane Underwood, daughter of Amos Underwood, who was his, Charles E. Evans, wife). Amos Underwood and Sara Jane Rossell, his wife, were also residents of North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio and are in the 1881 Beers history. I have pictures and histories on them. One of their grandchildren, Frankie Underwood is also buried in Butcher Cemetery (and a daughter and son of Charles E. Evans, as well, buried there with Charles).

If there is any info I can contribute for your excellent research of that area and those residents during that time, please contact me at this site (I'm a member here for about 8 or 9 years, I think).
I would also very much appreciate if you could send me a copy or transcription of the news article on Charles E. Evans death May 10, 1888 (published in the Urbana Daily citizen you referenced on the additional info). I live in Florida and this article has eluded me. Our family history has handed down that his death was a "hunting accident" but suspected suicide and they weren't sure. I would like to know more and can tell you what I know from what was handed down.
my email is: whittyfun@juno.com
website of mine you found on Charles E. Evans
http://ohioheritage.tripod.com/ohioheritagephotoalbum/id1.html
Underwood
http://ohioheritage.tripod.com/ohioheritagephotoalbum/id8.html
Thank you so much for your excellent research!!
Regards,
Janie Martin Whitty
an Evans/Underwood Descendant...still researching after all these years.





Tuesday, April 20, 2010

"Cemeteries of N.E. Ashtabula County, Ohio"

Click on title to access the website of "Cemeteries of N.E. Ashtabula County, Ohio".

This is a very interesting site for anyone with ancestors buried in Ashtabula County, Ohio.  It appears to have been last updated April 14, 2008.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Restoration of Winchell Cemetery, Franklin Township, Ross County Ohio

Click on title to link to a March 24, 2010 story from the Chillicothe Gazette
about the ongoing restoration work at the Winchell Cemetery.

Abstracted from the story:

"HOW TO HELP"

"If you have information about or photos of the Winchell Cemetery, call Guy McCorkle at 663-5419."

Wayne County Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society

Click on title to access the website of the Wayne County (Ohio) Cemetery Preservation Society.
This is a great site to visit for those interested in Wayne County, Ohio cemeteries.

From the website of the Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society:

"The Wayne County Cemetery Preservation Society (WCCPS) is an organization whose purpose is to find, record, photograph, and protect endangered cemeteries. It is a non-profit grassroots effort consisting of hardworking and dedicated volunteers. Activities can include digging, probing to find headstones, deciphering of writing on tombstones, photography, and obtaining genealogical information. Meetings are held once a month, usually at the Wayne County Public Library. WCCPS has a working relationship with the Program in Archaeology at The College of Wooster; students assist in recording and mapping cemeteries, GPS readings, and locating tombstones."

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Dunkard Ridge Cemetery, Brush Creek Township, Highland County, Ohio on the website of Ohiogravestones.org

Several recent tombstone photos have been added for Dunkard Ridge Cemetery on the Ohiogravestones.org website. 
There are now approximately 221 names (included are maiden name listings) for Dunkard Ridge Cemetery located in Brush Creek Township. 
The Ohio Cemeteries 1803 - 2003 book (published by the Ohio Genealogical Society) lists Dunkard Ridge on page 282:
"Location:  Northwest of Elmville.  On south side of County Road 54B, east of Township Road 262A. W - Sinking Spring."
"Topozone.com" -- Dunkard Ridge Cemetery.
Currently, Ohiogravestones.org for Highland County, Ohio:
D: Dunkard Ridge Cemetery (221)
E: Ebenezer Cemetery (9) , Edenfield (Wesley Chapel) Cemetery (3)
G: Gilboa Cemetery (27) , Greenfield Cemetery (50)
H: Henderson Cemetery (1) , Hillsboro Cemetery (69) , Hilltop Cemetery (2)
L: Limes (AKA Sheep Pen or Gustin) Cemetery (18) , Locust Grove (Franklin Twp.) Cemetery (1)
M: Mowrystown Cemetery (3)
N: New Market Baptist Church Cemetery (47)
P: Pleasant Hill - Sinking Springs Cemetery (7) , Pleasant Hill, Leesburg, OH Cemetery (10) , Prospect Cemetery (151)
S: Sugar Tree Ridge Cemetery (192)

Hardin County Ohio Genealogical Society Publications

The current Winter 2009/2010 Issue (volume 27 #4) of "Track and Trace" published by the Hardin County Genealogical Society states under "The President's Pen" column:

"Doris Blum is doing the final proofing of the Liberty Township Cemeteries Book.  We are shooting for an April 1st printing date."  "This summer cemetery readings will focus on Patterson Cemetery and perhaps beginning Hueston Cemetery."

From the Hardin County Connections website:
"We apologize for the delay is new publications, however, the vast amount of our time this summer has been the reading of all Liberty Township cemeteries. This is to the best of our knowledge the first time they have all burials thru Aug. 15, 2009 has been undertaken. We hope that the finished product will be worth the wait for our other new publications."
Hardin County Genealogy Society
211 W Franklin St
PO Box 520
Kenton, OH 43326
(419) 674-4088
The center is located 1 block west of the Court House, and is right next to the cinema.
website--HCGS@HardinCountyConnections.com
email -- EHARDINCOUNTYG@COLUMBUS.rr.com

Lakeview Cemetery, Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio - Headstone Dedication Ceremony at 10:30a.m. today, April 10, 2010, for Charles Pinkney, minor-leaguer from Cleveland

Click on title to access the on-line story that also appears in today's "The Plain Dealer" on page D5, under title of 
 "A Century after his death, player to get headstone"

There will be a headstone dedication at 10:30a.m. this morning for Charles Pinkney who was killed by a pitch on September 14, 1909.  He was 21 at the time of his death.  He played second base for the Dayton Veterans of the Class B Central League, as stated in the article. 

The on-line story includes 1909 photos of Pinkney and the original announcement of his death.   
Charles Pinkney is buried in Section 25, Lot 138 at Lake View Cemetery. 
The ceremonies are open to the public and are free.
Cleveland Scene story about Charles Pinkney

Sunday, April 4, 2010

My Thanks to Linda at "Flipside" Blog for the Ancestor Approved Award



Thank you Linda
Linda Hiser who hosts the fabulous "Flipside Blog" - by all means 'check it out' - has listed her 10 "Ancestor Approved" sites, and I am proud to be among the recipients. 
Now, I will need to get going to do the same!

(Below are Linda's "Ancestor approved sites:)
1. Hummer at Branching Out Through The Years
2. Barbara at Life From the Roots
3. Terri at The Ties That Bind
4. Linda at Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites in Ohio
5. Liz at My Big Fat Cajun/ Irish/Scottish/English/German/French/Southern Family Blog
6. Tina at Gen Wish List
7. Claudia at Claudia's Genealogy Blog
8. TK at Before My Time
9. Diana at Random Relatives
10. Dorene at Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay

"As a recipient of this award, I am to list 10 things I have learned about my ancestors that have surprised, humbled or enlightened me and then pass the award on to 10 other genealogy bloggers who I feel are doing their ancestors proud."

********
I was surprised to learn that an ancestor of mine, Dr. Jeremiah Duvall, of Bedford, Pennsylvania, is listed in the D.A.R. Patriot Index!  Because of that knowledge, I applied to the D.A.R. and was accepted!

I was surprised to learn that my great-great grandfather, Wesley Limes, had a snow white beard!

I was surprised to learn that my great-great grandfather, Wesley Limes, had a second wife.

I was surprised to learn that the marriage record for Wesley Limes and his second wife, Lizzie McDonald, was listed under "S" for "Simes"!!

I am humbled by all of my ancestors that they survived hardships unheard of today to keep their families together through plagues and poverty alike.

I am humbled by the Ohio Historical Marker in North Lewisburg, Ohio which is dedicated to the Friends (Quakers) in the village.  My great-great-great grandfather's name, Harmon Limes, is among those listed on Side B of the marker. 

I am enlightened by my paternal grandfather, Winfield Scott Limes, that his dedication was instrumental in forming the first United States local of the first Wood, Wire & Metal Lathers Union Chapter, Chapter #1 in Columbus, Ohio, in 1899.

I am enlightened by my maternal grandfather, Andrew Zagorsky, that he supported his wife and family of 11 children through much of the Great Depression. 

I am enlightened by my father, Harry Limes, with how he was able to excel in such sports as horsehoe pitching and bowling all through the Great Depression, even when he was unemployed. 

I am enlightened that although my mother did not finish high school, she earned a good living from working at a glass factory in West Virginia and later at General Industries in Elyria, Ohio where she met my father! 

Now to my "Ancestor approved" blogs:

1.  Along Spain Creek - by Mr. Ralph Lowell Coleman, Jr. - a great friend!
2.  LOHWOMAN - by Hilda Hartling - a great friend!
3.  My cousin Dale's blog - by Dale Lieb
4.  GrantsCemetery - by John Grant - Check out his blog!
5.  Genealogy Blog Finder - I could search this one for hours!
6.  Progenealogists - "25 Most Popular Genealogy Blogs"
7.  Cyndislist.com/blogs - A premier genealogial source!
8.  Gravemappers - Among my favorite blogs!
9.  The Graveyard Rabbit - one of my favorite blogs!
10. A Morbid Fascination - Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo, Ohio - I just found this blog - offers interesting links.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Admiral Noble Edward Irwin's burial location has been found!

My thanks to Cindy Hackett at the public library in Annapolis, Maryland who so kindly sent information to me that identifies the burial location of Admiral Noble E. Irwin, his wife, Elma, and her parents Captain John Alexander Norris and Zoe (Doviller) Norris.  


Click on title to link to Admiral Irwin's memorial posted on "Find A Grave" with relationship links to his wife, and his parents and maternal grandmother. 
I was not able to link him to his daughter, Phyllis Irwin Lockwood, however, information is provided on his memorial to locate her and her husband, Charles A. Lockwood, Jr., on "Find A Grave." 

Lavina (AKA Lavinia) Rogers Irwin - Admiral Noble E. Irwin's mother

Henry W. Irwin - Admiral Noble E. Irwin's father

Priscilla Beals Rogers - Admiral Noble E. Irwin's maternal grandmother 
******************
Son-in-law, Charles A. Lockwood, Jr., and daughter, Phyllis I (Irwin) Lockwood tombstone photographs taken at the Golden Gate National Cemetery:
Tombstone photographs posted with permission from