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."

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Cynthiana Cemetery - Pike County, Ohio - Remembering William Townsend

Click on link to view the "Find A Grave" memorial for William Towsend buried at the Cynthiana Cemetery in Pike County, Ohio. 

Whenever possible, when transcribing the name, birth and/or death date, and age inscribed on a tombstone, also take a couple of extra moments to transcribe any epitaph chisled on it. 

Normally, epitaphs are found on the lower portion of the stone written in small, cursive style etching.  

Epitaphs convey the culture of the times prevalent during the last days of the deceased's life. 

A wonderful book entitled:  "Tombstones of Your Ancestors" by Louis S. Schafer, published by Heritage Books, Inc., is a twelve chapter book that covers the broad range of information regaring tombstone epitaphs.  It offers the reader educational yet fascinating facts citing many examples of epitaphs spanning the serious and whimsical about the diseased.  Some also reveal much about the surviving loved ones.  


"Death stikes a blow and we are gone
And leave all things below
Our dwelling place
The Silent tomb
And we are seen no more"