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."

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Canton, Stark County, Ohio - TV News Story about mystery gravestone

Click on title to link to a news story and short video featured on Cleveland/Akron TV station WKYC about a Canton couple who turned over a sidewalk stone in their back yard only to discover it is actually a broken headstone for someone who died June 26, 1852.  The person's age looks to have been 51 years, 4 months and 7 days (birthdate calculated - February 19, 1801).   

It is thought that the stone could have once been part of a small cemetery for the Shorb family who lived in the area. 

In the book, "Ohio Cemeteries - 1803 - 2003" published by the Ohio Genealogical Society, on page 606, is listed: 
"Shorb - Location: West of Saint Johns Church.  Between McKinley Avenue and High Avenue.  Stones 2." 

The 1850 U. S. Federal Census shows several Shorb family members living in Canton, Ohio, but I could not locate any that were listed with a birth year of or close to 1801. 

My thanks to friend and neighbor, Rick, for bringing this story to my attention.