Remebering my friend and co-worker - Nancy L. Reinholz

This afternoon I visited the gravesite of my friend and former co-worker, Nancy L. Reinholz, who is buried at Whitehaven Memorial Park Cemetery in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. 

Nancy passed away on May 4, 2010; just a few weeks shy of her 66th birthday. 

I was quite saddened to learn of her passing. 

I recently learned her grave marker had been installed so I wanted to go to her gravesite to visit her and photograph her grave marker. 

Nancy always talked about her two daughters, Laura and Jennifer.  She was so proud of them. 

So, I was very pleased when I saw her gravestone that their names were shown as her daughters beneath her inscription. 

I know she would be pleased with that. 

Nancy and I were both typists before we became word processors, and later computer operators.  To me, she was the best.  She later worked in the legal department at Progressive. 

But, most of all I remember Nancy for being a loving mother, a helpful co-worker, and a genuinely nice person who always had a ready smile for everyone around her. 



Spotlighting "The Cemetery Club" & "Epitaphs Magazine Online"

Click on the title to access

"The Cemetery Club" -- "The official website of Minda Powers-Douglas and

Epitaphs Magazine"

While this site is not solely dedicated to cemetery preservation or has only Ohio cemetery news, it does offer links to stories about Ohio cemeteries including a recent one about "Black Civil War veterans buried in Woodland Cemetery to get monument" 

published by the Cleveland "Plain Dealer" and featured on "Cleveland.com." 

Also, a wonderful story from June 13, 2011 from the Columbus, Ohio area about how local volunteers improved the Ferris Cemetery, see link from: Columbus Local News.com

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The "Cemetery Club" site offers endless reading and learning possibilities that include: 

"Featured Blogs"

"Cemeteries in the News"

"Grave symbolism"

and

"Genealogy"  

Also, there is the on-line "Epitaphs Magazine" to view. 

The current Issue #9 for June, 2011 has the following topics:

"Contents"

"The Painted Skulls of Austria - by Paul Koudounaris

A Cemetery in Need: Lakeview Cemetery - by Michael Breckenridge

A City Within a City: Woodlawn Cemetery - by Tracy Huff-Carlson

Body Snatching in Victorian America - by Sarah Emily Gath"   

And, Epitaphs Magazine Online is looking for contributors:

"EMO is Seeking Contributors

Interested in contributing to Epitaphs Magazine Online? We want to hear from you!

We are currently seeking contributors for:

- Articles (on individual cemeteries, general genealogy, historical events or information, etc.)

- Photography (include information about the cemeteries and monuments you submit)

- Book reviews

- Cemetery-themed poetry and artwork

Review the current issue online now. Contributions to EMO are provided on a voluntary basis.

All content must be created by the submitter. Previously published materials are okay with the information included.

Creators retain general copyrights.

New issues will be published on a monthly basis."

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**Questions and submissions may be sent to Minda at: minda.epitaphsmag@gmail.com

Featuring Ghosting 12 Paranormal Investigations and Historical Research in Columbiana County, Ohio

First, I always welcome hearing from anyone about an Ohio cemetery that is in need of care and attention.

The primary purposes of my blog are to spotlight forgotten gravesites, promote cemetery preservation, and restoration of gravestones through information provided by myself and others.

The purpose of this blog is not to promote or encourage 'ghost hunting' at Ohio's cemeteries. 

However, if a person or a group connected to a legitimate paranormal organization in Ohio is ALSO promoting cemetery preservation by means of publicizing the need for a cemetery's preservation, doing cemetery clean up themselves, or holding legitimate fundraisers that go toward a cemetery's care, then I will include their information in this blog.  

**It is always advisable to contact those involved to learn more about their projects and then decide if you wish to participate.

Thank you!
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Today, I was contacted by Kimberly Mitchell who hosts the website "Ghosting12.com" 

**After reading the information below provided by Kimberly, please contact her for any questions you may have, to share your information, or to obtain other information at: ghosting12@yahoo.com.

******************* 

Kimberly is seeking to learn more information about the local Columbiana County Veterans buried at the Spring Grove Cemetery located in East Liverpool in Columbiana County, Ohio to share their stories during an upcoming fundraiser tour of the Spring Grove Cemetery.

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Below is Kimberly's message:

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"Hello,

I am the founder for Ghosting 12 Paranormal Investigations and Historical Research here in Columbiana County, Ohio.

We are currently doing fundraiser tours of Spirng Grove Cemetery, and our next theme is

"Stories of Local Veterans"

We have a couple, but not enough for a tour, and I was hoping you might have some stories or know where we could find some.

We have managed to raise over $300 for the cemetery so far with our tours.

Any help you could give us would be greatly appreciated."

Kindest Regards,

Kimberly Mitchell

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Additional information from Kimberly about the tour and Spring Grove Cemetery:

"We also want people to know that every cent that we make goes to Spring Grove.
It is a $5 suggested donation per person.
Kids 10 and under are free.
Thank you!"
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"The cemetery is actually owned by two different localities.
The back half is taken care of by Liverpool Township.
The front half, which is also the oldest part, is taken care of by the city of East Liverpool.
The city of East Liverpool does not have the money to take care of their half.
The grass and weeds are sometimes knee high or higher.
Volunteers go there when they can, but they use their own equipment and the divits in the ground cause damage so it is hard to get any one to do that any more."
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Kimberly shares some details of the condition of the cemetery and its history that she has learned about Spring Grove Cemetery:

"Spring Grove Cemetery was established in 1886.
While I am not sure it was intended this way, it became a paupers cemetery.
It is only a few acres, I'd say 3-5, but has over 7600 graves in it.
They are literaly stacked on top of each other.
Today when they dig a new grave, they dig up old ones. We actually got coffin pieces on our last tour that we are now using to show how desperately this little cemetery needs care."
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**Spring Grove Cemetery currently has over 8,000 burials listed on Find A Grave.com. **

Sharing a "Youtube" video about cemetery restoration

Today, I took out a few moments to search on "YouTube" for cemetery restoration videos and found a few of them. 

The video illustrates how people can work together as a group and at least clean up a cemetery's grounds and haul away debris and tall weeds that were pulled up to make it more presentable and accesible.

 

A cemetery that looks neglected proves it has been ignored and forgotten about for a long time. 

A renewed respect for a cemetery happens as a direct result of the work put into restoring it.

Volunteers can be proud of their accomplishments that honor those who came before them.

Visitors can feel safe walking within the cemetery property.  The good condition of both grounds and gravestones shows visitors that the area is sacred and regularly taken care of in a respectful manner. 

A good place to start learning correct methods of gravestone cleaning and other gravestone restoration processes is to read the "Preservation" section on the Association for Gravestone Studies website: http://www.gravestonestudies.org/preservation.htm

"Gravestone Photo Project" - "Ohiogravestones.org"

Click on title to read the information pertaining to the "Gravestone Photo Project" including an open letter detailing reasons why this project is not being expanded beyond its current status and capabilities. 

Listed on this website are the following states that have gravestone photo projects, including Ohio:

"The following states are currently using a version of the Gravestone Photo Project software":

Arizona Gravestones

Arkansas Gravestones

Colorado Gravestones

Florida Gravestones

Idaho Gravestones

Illinois Gravestones

Iowa Gravestones

Louisiana Gravestones

Maine Gravestones

Massachusetts Gravestones

Maryland Gravestones

Nebraska Gravestones

New Jersey Civil War Gravestones

New Mexico Gravestones

New York Gravestones

North Dakota Gravestones

Ohio Gravestones

Oklahoma Gravestones

Oregon Gravestones

Pennsylvania Gravestones

South Dakota Gravestones

Texas Tombstones

Utah Gravestones

Virginia Gravestones

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While "Ohiogravestones.org" does not contain nearly the number of graves as "Find A Grave," it is a valuable source because a gravestone photo is always provided. 

The negatives connected to "Ohiogravetones.org" are the inability to post information on burials that do not have markers, and the need for a short wait before your photograph and its information are posted on the site because that is done by a county administrator.

However, recently I learned the birth and death dates of couple from seeing that information on their gravestone photograph posted on "Ohiogravestones.org."  

There was no memorial for the people on "Find A Grave." 

Currently, Ohiogravestones has over 131,000 gravestone photos which include 209 new photos uploaded within the past week, per the website. 

I hope Ohiogravestones.org continues and grows because it is nice that it is an advertisement-free site -- no annoying pop up advertisments to disturb your reading. 

"Spotlighting "Headstoners" Blog

Click on title to access a blog called "Headstoners". 

There are several links to gravestone photos in various Ohio cemeteries to view on this site. 

It is another interesting site with regard to the importance of marking unmarked graves as I learned from reading "Robert's Story." (link below)

http://headstoner.com/roberts-story/

"Headstoners" is also on Facebook:  http://www.causes.com/causes/186122-headstoners-for-headstones?recruiter_id=20526117

Even if you do not wish to donate to the cause promoted on this site, it is a nicely set up site to browse, and it might contain some information you are seeking regarding your particular Ohio cemetery.

Spotlighting "Cemetery Residents" - Augusta Cemetery, Augusta Township, Carroll County, Ohio

Click on title to link to the August Cemetery website.

Below is a quote from the site's introduction:

INTRODUCTION

"My name is Cyndy Solon Pryor of Troutdale, Oregon. My mother, Bette Ina Brown, is putting together this website and I am assisting her in getting it published. To learn more about why my mother is interested in the Augusta Cemetery, read "About Bette I. Brown".

The goal of this website is to list the people buried in the Augusta Cemetery, and to bring “life” to their memories by including information, photographs, documents and recollections concerning each person. It is a huge task that will take some time to accomplish, but my mother is determined.

If you have information, photographs, documents, or recollections on one or more of the "Residents" in this cemetery, we would love to include those on this website."

Feel free to write us at:

Augusta Cemetery

PO Box 46

Augusta, OH 44607-0046

Spotlighting Cyndi's List -- Civil War -- Cemeteries

Click on title to access "Cyndi's List" and the categories relating to researching Civil War burials. 

If you are familiar with Cyndi's List at all then you know her site is 'chock full' of links.  If there is a genealogical website on the internet, then it is most likely Cyndi's List will have a link to it. 

Spotlighting the Marion Cemetery Association - Marion, Ohio

Click on title to link to the Marion Cemetery Association's website; specifically, their page about the gravestone restoration work offered by the Association for markers in need of cleaning at the Marion Cemetery. 

I think this is the first time I have come across gravestone restoration work offered directly by a cemetery.  It is definitely a valuable service that other cemeteries should consider important and make available to their customers too. 

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On Find A Grave, currently there are 3,367 memorials posted for the Marion Cemetery.

Clean Up News about the Rowland Cemetery in Canton, OH

From the NE Ohio Ghost Society:

We will be getting the cemetery ready for the 4th of July. We need mowers and trimmers and a chain saw. A few of us will be working on the back side of the cemetery to uncover about 10 head stones that have gotten lost to mother nature. This event is going out to all the members of the group, if you're out of state no need to comment telling me you're out of state.

Before and After phtographs of my great-great-great grandfather's gravestone.

Harmon Limes' gravestone before cleaning at the Friends (Quaker) Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio - 1995

The same Harmon Limes gravestone after two cleanings at its new location the Champaign County Historical Society Museum in Urbana, Ohio where it was donated.  Photograph taken in 2004. 

Click on title to view Harmon Limes' memorial on Find A Grave.

Looking for News of Cemetery Preservation Workshops in Ohio!!

Hello Everyone! 

First, I wish to thank my blog followers for so kindly following my blog!  

Now that Spring is in full swing and Summer is officially coming up in less than 3 weeks, I am seeking  to learn of any cemetery preservation workshops scheduled for the near future in our great state of Ohio.  

I have been "Googling" around the internet and have not found any coming up, so please if anyone has any news about a cemetery preservation workshop, group clean up of a cemetery, or just would like to bring our attention to an Ohio cemetery that needs improvement, please contact me via the comments.  Thank you and all the best for your upcoming cemetery visits!!