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, January 29, 2013

FIVE REASONS TO PROTECT CEMETERY RECORDS - Names In Stone News Room

FIVE REASONS TO PROTECT CEMETERY RECORDS - Names In Stone News Room

Congratulations to Jay Russell of Respectful Interment Preservations (R.I.P.) on his Appointment to the Ohio Genealogical Society's Cemetery Committee

Sharing this good news from Jay Russell of  Respectful Interment Preservations (R.I.P.):

"Attended my first meeting at the Ohio Genealogical Society as a trustee. It was great. I have been appointed to the Cemetery Committee and as the liaison for the OGS chapters in Athens County, Vinton County, and Meigs County. I am excited for this opportunity to contribute to the OGS."
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So, if you are an O.G.S. member or an O. G. S. Chapter member of Athens, Vinton, or Meigs Counties, Jay Russell is the cemetery liaison you would need to contact to help you with your cemetery issues.

We look forward to hearing more positive news from Jay and the Ohio Genealogical Society's Cemetery Committee.  

Contact Info

Friday, January 25, 2013

Update on "Adopt-A-Marker" Program at the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Cleveland Catholic Diocese


I have recently been informed by Mr. Scott Casper, Director of Family Services at the Catholic Cemeteries Association, that the "Adopt-A-Marker" Program is being put on hold at this time.  He said to check the website for any further updates.  

Thus, the images regarding this program that I had posted on this blog have been removed.

Thank you.

Contact information for Scott Casper:

Scott Casper
Director, Family Services
Catholic Cemeteries Association
10000 Miles Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44105
216.883.5424

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Updated Information for Butcher (AKA Walnut Grove) Cemetery in North Lewisburg, Champaign County, Ohio

Click on title to open up a December, 2012 revised version (in PDF format) of the Butcher Cemetery (AKA Walnut Grove Cemetery) that is posted on North Lewisburg Village's website.  

I submitted my updated information to them for their records to help others who may be researching their North Lewisburg area ancestors.  


Currently, there are 99 known (by gravestone inscription readings that were published) or otherwise documented burials from the Freeman Funeral Home in North Lewisburg, listed for Butcher Cemetery on Find A Grave, and one burial that was recently posted that is in dispute.  The burial in dispute is that of a gentleman named George Reams who died in 1934.  His name does not appear on any published gravestone transcriptions nor has there been a gravestone found for him at the Butcher Cemetery.  His death certificate shows that his funeral was handled by the Freeman Funeral Home in North Lewisburg and that his body was taken there, however, no actual cemetery name is shown.  



The last known burial at the Butcher Cemetery that has a gravestone belongs to Nancy J. (Brock) Butcher, wife of  Dr. John Butcher who died in 1898:

BUTCHER, Nancy J.
September 22,1823
Per Butcher Family Bible
August 8, 1898
Per Butcher Family Bible
(latest known burial with stone)
74 yrs. 10 mos. 16 days

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Enjoying Elmwood Cemetery - Lorain, Ohio

I just wanted to add that Kathy Geis and "Linda B." are doing a great job with posting memorials for Elmwood Cemetery burials on "Find A Grave."

Above:  Nicholl (left) and Szanto (right) mausoleums with their new replacement doors. 
Szanto Mausoleum close up view with its new replacement doors. 
Above:  Taking a peek inside the Szanto Mausoleum.
 Above: Nicholl Mausoleum - a closer view 
Above:  Monument for a couple:
"Here sleeps Nikifor Gavrilovich [son of Gavrila] Peiko, rested april 9 1947 of his life, [and] his wife Sofia rested april 6 1944 of her life. Nikifor G. Peiko [could also be pelled Peyko and Pejko]." This transcription courtesy of:  @kirill chashchin.  Listed on "Find A Grave" as "Payko".  

Their son, Harry Payko is buried next to them.  

 Flat marker for James White. Note his name is on a metal nameplate.  
His wife was Celia Bemis White.


Thursday, January 17, 2013

"New Life" for Westview Cemetery Also Known as: Hoadley Cemetery or Old Baker Cemetery in Columbia Township, Lorain County, Ohio.

Click on title to read the "Cleveland.com" story that is published online and in the Cleveland "Plain Dealer" today about the Westview Cemetery known also by alternate names:  Hoadley Cemetery, or Old Baker Cemetery.  

The well-written news report with historical background about the Hoadley family buried at Westview Cemetery is from "Plain Dealer" writer, Michael O'Malley.  

Extending my personal thank you to Mr. O'Malley for covering this news about something that happens too rarely these days, but news that is always most welcome indeed - particularly to those of us who care about cemetery preservation.

The details of this story are remarkable and point to a happy ending for the betterment of this small rural cemetery.

So I will leave it to you, the readers of this blog, to discover the heartwarming details for yourself!  
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Per "Find A Grave"

Location:
 
Route 252
Olmsted Falls
Lorain County
Ohio  USA

"Cemetery notes and/or description:
Originally located on a family farm, this cemetery now sits in the middle of Riverside Golf Club. Located on the east side of Route 252, 1/2 mile south of Sprague Road, in the center of Riverside Golf Course.
c. 1816-1912"

"Interactive map and GPS data:
GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 41.34873, Longitude: -81.90066"

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Update on the Dept. of Commerce - Div. of Real Estate - Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission's Cemetery Complaint Form.

I have updated the link to the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission's Cemetery Complaint Form COM 3660 (11/2010) that is in the permanent link on the right-hand side bar of the blog under the general heading:  

"Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission"  


Excerpted from the Form:


"Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4767 provides the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission with responsibility over registered cemeteries operated by a person, church, religious society, established fraternal organization, or political subdivision. The Commission is vested with the authority to assist in resolving complaints by the use of informal techniques of mediation, conciliation, and persuasion. The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, provides administrative services to the Commission regarding the registration of active cemeteries and processing of complaints filed against any cemetery owner or operator for dispute resolution."

     "Furnish the full names, addresses and phone numbers of all parties to the complaint, including witnesses."
 

     "Print the form. Sign and date the form at the bottom. Attach copies (not originals) of all pertinent documents, and send the package ......."
 

     Mail To

Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
77 S. High Street, 20th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215.


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



Please keep in mind that this form is for filing a complaint on a "registered" cemetery which normally means an active cemetery in the state of Ohio.

Long time cemetery investigator, Mr. Ted Hornyak, has left his position since the job was re-located to Columbus.  

The cemetery investigation work has been turned over to:

Laura A. Monick
Staff Attorney
Ohio Department of Commerce
Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing
77 South High Street, 20th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215

614-466-5384
www.com.ohio.gov


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     A useful on-line resource for reviewing the Ohio Revised Code (ORC) where the information regarding Ohio's cemetery legislation details are found, is the "LAWriter Ohio Laws and Rules" website.  

     In the upper right-hand corner on this website, there is a "Search ORC" box where you can type in a word and do a global search. (Click on "LAWriter Ohio Laws and Rules shown above.)

      The results provided following a global search for the word "cemeteries" produced 49 separate items that appear on screen on a total of 4 pages. 

Check Out - "Online Ohio Death Records & Indexes" - "A Genealogy Guide for Finding Obituaries, Cemetery Burials and Death Records"

Is there still a pesky Ohio obituary or death record eluding you?  You just may find it through clicking on a link in one of the resources provided on this website if you click on the title of this post first!  

The links arrangement is county by county following the general categories, so you have a greater chance to hone in on the right one that could be of the most help to you.  Yes, some links lead you to paid sites like "Ancestry.com."   

If you are not an "Ancestry.com" subscriber, your library card for your local public library can be your key to access a lot of the resources "Ancestry.com" offers

Always check with your local public library to learn if you are able to access "Ancestry.com" at their branch using their library card - - the library version of "Ancestry," and learn if the information you need is included in the library's version.  I'm sure a reference desk or genealogy department reference person could help you make that determination before your library visit.  

You'll have a lot of fun with this website and hopefully learn something new along the way during your research! 


Sunday, January 13, 2013

Donna A. Etzwiler Urban (1920 - 2013) - Find A Grave Memorial

Donna A. Etzwiler Urban (1920 - 2013) - Find A Grave Memorial

Grave Adventures (playlist)





To paraphrase Susan:

Susan is the Head of Reference and Adult Collection Services, and Michele is the Head of Children's Services.  They started doing these videos and programs to mainly assist individuals who would not be able to visit Holmes County cemeteries and also for ones who plan to visit.  

The videos show the terrain of the cemeteries so that they know what to expect when they get there.  However, the real reason they did the videos is to have an excuse to traipse around cemeteries because they both love them. : )

Grave Adventures of the HCLL - Calmoutier Cemetery

Cemetery scan had surprising result | Local | News | Midland Free Press

Sharing this news from the blog "Preservation and Place"


Cemetery scan had surprising result | Local | News | Midland Free Press

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Thanking Dorene Paul of the "Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay" for Nominating this blog for the "Illuminating Blogger Award"


Thank you so much to  Dorene Paul of The Graveyard Rabbit of Sandusky Bay who awarded limesstones.blogspot.com with an "Illuminating Blogger Award." This award originated from the Food Stories blog.  

One of the requirements of receiving this award is to state a random fact about myself.  My random fact is that I enjoy cleaning tombstones!


I would like to award the Illuminating Blogger Award to these blogs, which I always find so informative:




If you are nominated then you have been awarded the Illuminating Blogger Award. 

Just follow the steps below.

The nominee should visit the award site:

 (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) 

and leave a comment indicating that he or she has been nominated and by whom.

(This step is so important because it’s the only way that we can create a blogroll of award winners).
  1. The Nominee should thank the person who nominated him by posting & including a link to their blog.
  2. The Nominee should include a courtesy link back to the official award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/) in her blog post.
  3. Share one random thing about yourself in your blog post.
  4. Select other bloggers that you enjoy reading their illuminating, informative posts and nominate them for the award.
  5. Notify your nominees by leaving a comment on their blog, including a link to the award site (http://foodstoriesblog.com/illuminating-blogger-award/).
I encourage you to stop by and visit these terrific blogs! Thanks!
 




Thursday, January 10, 2013

Here is Another "Grave Adventure" as We Go on a Cemetery Tour with the Holmes County Library Ladies!


You can contact the Library Ladies via their 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

**An Update to Date, Time and Location**: Announcing an Upcoming Powerpoint Presentation about the Work Done at the Poe Cemetery by Mr. Jay Russell of "Respectful Interment Preservations" (R.I.P.) - Thursday, January 17, 2013 - 7:00p.m. - Montville Township, Emergency Services Building, next to the Township Hall, Medina County, Ohio


(Photograph courtesy of Mr. Jay Russell)
 
From Jay Russell, owner of "Respectful Interment Preservations":

"R.I.P. has completed a Powerpoint presentation for the work done in the Poe Cemetery

I will be making the presentation to the Montville Township Trustees on Jan, 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM. - Emergency Services Building.

This building is located right next to the township hall and people should use the same parking lot as they would have used on the previous date.
The work was done at no cost to the township as an example of the type of work that could be done to preserve their cemeteries. 

 Anyone wishing to see the preentation is welcome to come or I can be scheduled to make this short presentation or a similar presentation on work completed on the Pioneer Baptist Cemetery in Richland Co., Ohio."

 "
"R.I.P. is now a fully insured company. We are looking forward to the spring working season. Respectful Interment Preservations: Preserving History--Cut in Stone."
Contact Info:


"Tour Ohio Cemeteries with YouTube" - Spotlighting the Current Post on the Blog: "Corn and Cotton Genealogy" by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman

Tour Ohio Cemeteries with YouTube

Sharing this wonderful post included with this link to the "YouTube" Video tour of the Pioneer Cemetery in Belmont County, Ohio.  

We can take a further look at the Pioneer Cemetery in Belmont County  Ohio (click on cemetery name) by visiting it on "Find A Grave."  Currently, there are 15 interments listed on "Find A Grave" for the Pioneer Cemetery. 

Excerpted from "Find A Grave":

"Cemetery notes and/or description:
Pioneer Cemetery is located on the south side of Main Street, at the intersection with Center Cross Street, in Morristown, Ohio (Union Township, Belmont County). The coordinates are 40° 3' 46.19" N, 81° 4' 22.03" W.

Pioneer Cemetery, also known as Morristown First Cemetery, is no longer active. It is the final resting place of the founders of Morristown, as well as many Revolutionary War veterans. Most of the gravestones are in great shape for their age, but most do have some damage. The cemetery is very well maintained by the township."

Please be sure to click on the title to read the posting "Tour Ohio Cemeteries with YouTube" on the blog "Corn and Cotton Genealogy!!"

There is a permanent link to "Corn and Cotton Genealogy" on this blog on the right sidebar. 

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries Association - Learning More about the Arimathea Society and the Callistian Guild

I enjoy reading blogs and websites that focus on the aspect of the need for respect for human dignity in relationship to cemeteries and the sacred gravesites they contain.  

I'm sure you do as well.  
 
I am featuring here two worthwhile organizations and their work found on the Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries Association website:



Arimathea Society

Excerpt:

"In the spirit of St. Joseph, the Arimathea Society of the Cleveland Catholic Cemeteries is dedicated to burying those of need with dignity and respect. The Arimathea Society consists of a number of Catholic High Schools in the Greater Cleveland and Akron areas whose students, practicing one of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, dedicate time by serving as pallbearers for the indigent and those of need. Additionally, these students also commemorate and pray for the deceased."


The Callistian Guild 



Excerpt:

"The Callistian Guild is an organization dedicated to the fundamental principle that the poorest of God's children are entitled to be buried with dignity. Burial of the poor with proper respect is the foundation upon which the Guild was built, and its members are the bricks and mortar which have held it together over the years. Our predecessors had the strong faith and commitment to create an organization which has truly dedicated itself to providing honor in death, and its current members continue that legacy. The membership of the Guild is made up of groups of individuals and companies affiliated with providing services at the time of death and their participation is critical to the Guild's continued success."

Spotlighting "Respectful Interment Preservations" of Medina, Ohio



From Mr. Jay Russell:

"Looking forward to spring and getting back to field work. In the mean time if you or your organization would like to hear a presentation on cemetery preservation work and see what can be done to preserve a cemetery from beginning to finish, please contact me."
  
(from Facebook page)
About

"Respectful Interment Preservations (R.I.P.), a private family owned non-profit business, is dedicated to returning dignity, respect and honor to our cemeteries through reclamation, monument preservation and public education."

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Sharing a Heartwarming Story about a Humble Veteran Who Volunteers at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Medina County, Ohio

Brian Albrecht has written a story that I first read this morning in the Cleveland "Plain Dealer." It is also posted on "Cleveland.com."  And, I share it here from the site of the latter resource. 

Mr. Patrick Cleary is the focus of this story.  However, we can clearly see that his grace and humility as a volunteer at Ohio's National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio comes shining through loud and clear as a Veteran who knows there is still so much more he can contribute to serve his community and other veterans. 

The article includes a photograph of Mr. Cleary and a short accompanying video posted (Posted by Bill Gugliotta, The Plain Dealer on Thursday, December 20, 2012.)  

I'm sure you'll be as touched as I was after reading about Mr. Cleary and his selfless motiviation that has kept him active with his volunteer work. (Click on title to link to the news story.)  

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Currently, there are 21,543 interments listed for the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on "Find A Grave."

Spotlighting "Corn and Cotton Genealogy" and Thanking "C & C" for Their Kind Words about "Exploring Almost Forgotten Gravesites"

Extending my thanks to Stephanie Pitcher Fishman who produces her fantastic blog "Corn and Cotton Genealogy" for mentioning me and this blog in her latest post. 

More importantly however, to those of us who do extensive research in the Great State of Ohio (and we all know just how great Ohio is!!) is that the latest post is devoted to the topic:

 "Ohio Genealogy Resources:  Coroner's Records and Obituaries." 

 It is packed with useful 'must-read' information about where and how to find these sometimes elusive records that we routinely seek to complete our biographies about our deceased relatives and ancestors.

So, please click on the title to link to "Corn and Cotton" -- I heartily recommend it!