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Ravenna Township to take charge of Grandview on Monday

Ravenna Township to take charge of Grandview on Monday

What Exciting Discoveries Can be Made by Searching Ebay for Postcards of Ohio Cemeteries

Recently, I have started searching Ebay for the term "Ohio Cemeteries" and the results produced mostly post cards.  

Since I like old post cards and Ohio cemeteries, they have made a great combination for me to spend some time researching for my favorite subjects in a single place.  And, both deal with Ohio history!  

When I gaze at these old postcards, I am amazed at how cemeteries looked about a hundred years ago -- what I can see despite the surfaces' dusty and smudgy sepia tones that obscure the once clear finer details.  

The cemetery monuments and markers that were erected in the 1800s were still standing straight and tall.  They did not appear to have been covered in lichens.  The grounds were neatly trimmed.  The landscape was void of broken tablet stones that we sadly see all too often today.  

I know that I am gazing at monuments and markers lovingly erected for our ancestors by their closest kin who hoped they would last for a very long time.  Some have lasted, however, as we know some have not.  

Diamond,  Palmyra Twp., Portage County, Ohio 

Possibly the Palmyra Cemetery on Find A Grave

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If the cemetery's name and location are included on the postcard then the focus can shift to accessing websites such as "Find A Grave" to see if the cemetery is listed there.  

Most of the time the cemetery is listed; however, it might now be shown under another name.  

"Find A Grave" normally cross-references by known alternative cemetery names which helps pinpoint the correct cemetery that matches your postcard.  

Most "Find A Grave" individual cemetery sites contain at least one official cemetery photograph.

An added bonus comes when a cemetery postcard is listed on "Find A Grave", or another website, for a cemetery that you are familiar with.  If that is the case, then you can compare current scenes from the cemetery to what is imprinted on the postcard more easily.  And, you may have taken photographs of your own to use as a reference as well. 

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Try to take note of any unusual features that appear on your cemetery postcard such as a holding vault or chapel.  It most likely is still there today.

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Also, if any names (given and/or surnames)  are readable on the gravemarkers on the postcard, then you can search for those specifically on "Find A Grave."  

If a memorial is posted for the person with the name, there is a good possibility a current photo of the gravemarker is also posted which enables a comparison to be made with how it looked at the time the postcard picture was taken.  

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You can scan your postcard (front and reverse) and enjoy sharing it with others whom you know would be as thrilled as you are to view it! 

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Lastly for this post,

Wishing you a Happy New Year and 

Happy cemetery postcard hunting all through the year! 

Sharing the Latest News about Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County, Ohio

Sharing this news story.:

"Cemetery fraud victims look to buy Fairview Memorial Park after owners sentenced" from 10TV News, WBNS in Columbus, Ohio.

The cemetery's advocate, Tim Foor, was interviewed by MEGHAN MATTHEWS

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Fairview Memorial Park lists 1,620 memorials on the website: "Find A Grave."  

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Mr. Tim Foor, an advocate who has been working tirelessly on behalf of plot owners and all who care and are concerned about Fairview Memorial Park, has set up a Facebook Cemetery Advoacy Group for the cemetery. 

Forgotten cemeteries a historical record

Forgotten cemeteries a historical record

Sharing a Handy Guide to "Identifying Civil War Graves" & Some Additonal Resources to Locate Veteran Gravesites in Ohio

"Identifying Civil War Graves"  -- This is a great link that can serve as a handy reference guide to identifying and understanding the inscriptions on Civil War era government issue markers, and the war medallion on flag holders that are quite often  placed next to them.    However, not all cemeteries allow the installation of the flag holders.

The information was compiled and provided by:  

Austin Blair Camp No. 7 is located in Jackson Michigan and meets locally.

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Also, check out the free database on the Ohio Genealogical Society's website:

"Ohio Civil War Roster"

AND,

"Ohio Memory"

Graves Registration Cards Collection - Surnames "A" and "B" 

Ohio Sons of the Union Veterans:

"Ohio Civil War Veterans Grave Registration"

And, some are county specific, for example:

"Union County, Ohio Veterans Burial Records

1775 - 2011"

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Keep browsing through your "Google" searches for additional links for Veterans Graves Registrations in Ohio that may be of interest to you.  

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Sample Veteran's Grave Registration Card:

 

Above is a Legend with the names of the wars (through WWI) and numbers assigned to each War that is designated by the veterans' names on WPA Cemetery Plat Maps. 

(Created by Linda Jean Limes Ellis)

Merry Christmas! -- May it be Bright and Shining White!

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate this joyous day!  

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Sharing this story from Wooster, Ohio, published by the "Akron Beacon Journal"
By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal/Ohio.com that is so appropriate for today. 

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"Wooster Immigrant first in the area to celebrate Christmas with a decorated tree" 

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(Photo above from All Saints Cemetery in Northfield, Ohio.) 

(Photo by Linda Jean Limes Ellis)

"Remarkable Ohio" -- The Ohio History Connection's Historical Marker Program -- Could Your Favorite Cemetery Qualify?

If you have traveled around Ohio, then you likely have seen, and hopefully also read, an Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) historical marker.  These impressive markers are located in urban as well as rural areas; including at cemeteries!  

Sharing some links to learn more about these historical markers - their history, how to obtain one, and where they are located in Ohio.:  

"Historical Markers"

"Remarkable Ohio"

"Grandview Memorial Park may become Ravenna Twp.'s responsibility"

Grandview Memorial Park may become Ravenna Twp.'s responsibility

Grandview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave."

"Couple sentenced in Delaware County cemetery fraud"

Sharing the latest news from "The Columbus Dispatch" in Columbus, Ohio

By Dean Narciso 

"Couple sentenced in Delaware County cemetery fraud"

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Fairview Memorial Park

• 325 S. Sandusky Street, Delaware, Delaware County, Ohio,43015 USA

1,618 memorials listed on "Find A Grave."

Spotlighting the Omar Cemetery and Chapel in Omar, Seneca County, Ohio

From the "Advertiser-Tribune" in Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio.:

"175th: Omar Chapel, Cemetery celebrating anniversaries"

By:

JACOB GURNEY

Staff Writer

jgurney@advertiser-tribune.com

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Omar Ohio Blog by Larry A. Lepard

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Omar Cemetery on "Find A Grave"

From the Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery Foundation in Portsmouth, Ohio -- Public Invited to an Open House on Sunday, December 10, 2017 - 1:00p.m. to 4:00p.m.

As reported in the Portsmouth "Daily Times" news of the upcoming December 10, 2017 open house at the Greenlawn Cemetery.

"On Sunday, December 10th, from 1 to 4 p.m., The Friends of Greenlawn Cemetery Foundation will host “Christmas at the Historic Greenlawn Cemetery Chapel.” The event, which is free to the public, will provide an opportunity to view the interior of the seasonally decorated chapel and to light a memorial candle for a lost loved one."

Careless Use of Maintenance and Heavy Equipment at Cemeteries Causes Preventable Damage and Destruction

Most of us who have frequented cemeteries have encountered scenes similar to what appears in the photographs below.  Flat grave markers with evidence of tire marks across them.  Some flat markers might be sturdy enough to withstand the weight and pressure of heavy maintenance equipment and their tires running over them; while others are not and develop cracks and can be permanently damaged by repeated use of such equipment as mowers and grave digging equipment.  However, no grave marker should bear evidence of tire marks across it -- its inscriptions, and epitaphs -- which is quite disrespectful to the deceased and disturbing to the families and friends who care about the gravesites and gravestones that mark them.  

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If this type of damage and defacement is occurring on any of your family members' gravestones of course you should photograph the stone, document the damage, and submit your complaint to the owners/operators of the cemetery.  

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As far as removing tire marks, a good way to start is by using a soft bristle brush and a lot of water for cleaning and rinsing off and Orvus Soap on most gravestones that are also deemed appropriate for such cleaning.  

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D/2 Biological Solution is another tested and proven product that has been used successfully for cleaning most gravestones; primarily for biological growth, however.  

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Also, I received a tip from Atlas Preservation to try using Bon Ami but only on unpolished granite  though.  A muddy and dusty granite marker may appear to be unpolished, however, that might not be the case.  Always check and be sure first! Again, using only a soft bristle brush and adequate water and rinsing afterward. 

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So be careful as you don't want to make a bad situation worse!

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  As with any gravestone cleaning, stay within the guideline of "If in doubt DON'T."  

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The flat markers below are from Section 3A in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.  

Sadly, the early 1900's cross topped markers may have originally stood upright as so many of this era once did.  Over time they either were knocked over or fell down on their own and began sinking further into the ground giving the appearance that they were meant to be flat markers.

Shopping for Cemetery Preservation Supplies? Atlas Preservation -- Use Code ATLAS20% to Receive Discount until Tuesday at Midnight (11/28/2017)

Cyber Monday is coming up.  

If you are buying cemetery restoration supplies please check out Atlas Preservation 

Atlas Preservation- 

Black Friday Weekend- 5 Day Sale 

20% off Everything - Ends Tuesday at midnight 

Be sure to 

Enter Code- ATLAS20%

Website:

Atlas Preservation

https://atlaspreservation.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

WISHING EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Simple Searches for Properly Cleaning Gravestones

I am sharing here a link to my results from searching "Google" with the phrase "Properly Cleaning Gravestones" 

My search produces a seemingly endless cascading listing with what I would deem as generalized recommendations for properly cleaning gravestones. Most results I feel can be considered as a helpful first step, however, the final determination if a gravestone should or could be cleaned lies in the hands of the person who is in front of the stone with their tools and cleaners in hand at the ready to either refrain from cleaning the stone or going ahead with the task.  

Yes, gravestone cleaning methods matter and so does making the choice not to clean because once a gravestone is damaged the damage will most likely be irreversible.  If we are to keep with one simple thought it would be: "Less is More -- So If In Doubt Don't."  

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I also did a simple search at the website of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training that is most often shown as simply "NCPTT".  

I did a simple search for the single word "Cemetery" and that produced 2,890 results in less in just 29 seconds!  

NCPTT is a 'gold standard' resource with the most appropriate recommendations for "DO NO HARM" Best Practices that someone can adhere to for their decisions regarding cleaning a gravestone, or doing any other work in a cemetery for that matter.  

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Sharing below handy and helpful information to help ensure we leave a gravestone in better condition than when we found it - for today and for many years to come.   

(Above graphic created by Lisa Williams)

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Nature: Green Lawn Cemetery's majestic old trees leave lasting impression

Nature: Green Lawn Cemetery's majestic old trees leave lasting impression

"Further afield"

"• Jim McCormac and Green Lawn board member Randy Rogers will lead a trip through the cemetery on Dec. 2. They’ll visit the largest, oldest trees and various points of human interest. All are welcome. Meet at 10 a.m. at the administration building just inside the gates at 1000 Greenlawn Ave."

Spotlighting the Temperance Movement in Ohio

Sharing this great article just published today from the "Pike County News Watchman" by Sherry M. Stanley in her "Rural Rendezvous" Column entitled: 

"Hard-fought Temperance Battles End in Repeal of Prohibition". 

I eagerly read through the timeline history of the Temperance Movement in Ohio since I had an early collateral line ancestor who was involved in it; however, she took part in the Greenfield Raid of 1865 that has been largely forgotten about due to being overshadowed by Hillsboro's as stated in many accounts and in this article: 

"At Hillsboro, Ohio, in 1873, a group of women led by Eliza J. Thompson, founder of the Women’s Temperance Crusade, marched in the streets, stopping at saloons to pray for patrons and saloon keepers, and demanding that saloon keepers sign a pledge to stop selling alcoholic beverages. The march in Hillsboro prompted additional marches in more than 130 communities."

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Sharing my "Find A Grave" memorial for my collateral line Limes ancestor - Eliza Catherine "Kate" Marchant Gaskill.  I included as much information that I could compile about the July 10, 1865 Greenfield Liquor Raid and the subsequent trial they faced in 1867.  

These crusading women were 'warriors' for eradicating the evils of liquor in their village.  They had strong beliefs that were based on the tragedies that resulted in so much misery stemming from drunkenness; and they wanted to do something to stop it.  I can't blame them.  For them it had to be akin to the opiate crisis we are experiencing today - overwhelming.  They didn't want to sit on the sidelines and do nothing.  

Prohibition was later repealed as we know, but these ladies will be remembered as women who took a stand boldly for a cause they believed in and were proud of it throughout their whole lives.

Spotlighting the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Newark, Licking County, Ohio - Major Improvements Made at Cemetery's Entrance

Sharing from the Newark Advocate in Newark, Ohio.:

"Cedar Hill Cemetery Entrance Sees Major Improvements" - By Maria DeVito, Reporter

Cedar Hill Cemetery on "Find A Grave"

Lawrence trustees review Clover Hill Cemetery upkeep

Lawrence trustees review Clover Hill Cemetery upkeep

Clover Hill Cemetery on Find A Grave

Storm Damage - Crown Hill Cemetery Twinsburg, Ohio 11/6/17

"Reviving History - Volunteer Student Welders and Civil War History Buffs Team Up to Restore the Grave Makers of Local Union Soldiers"

"Reviving History - Volunteer Student Welders and Civil War History Buffs Team Up to Restore the Grave Makers of Local Union Soldiers"

By Kristi Kates

from the "Northern Express"

November 4, 2017

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Sharing this news story about the restoration of original Civil War GAR markers that are now seldomly seen at veteran gravesites.  They are the early ones -- the heavy iron ones with two stakes to support them.  

I think you'll enjoy reading about the volunteers and their own personal thoughts about handling such daunting but decidedly needed restorations!   

Kendal Cemetery has murky past

"Kendal Cemetery has murky past"

The Kendal Cemetery on "Find A Grave"

Sharing Information about a Great Cemetery Advocacy Facebook Group for two Ohio Cemeteries and One Pennsylvania Cemetery

I recently learned about the "Cemetery Advocacy Group", a Facebook Group, that is dedicated to the preservation of three cemeteries; two in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania.

Please read the introduction about this great group and click on the links for further details.:

"This Facebook Group is for people who have loved ones buried in Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware, Ohio, Suburban Memorial Park in Dover, Pennsylvania and Grandview Memorial Park in Ravenna, Ohio to discuss issues with the cemeteries.":

"Cemetery Advocacy Group"

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Delaware County, Ohio:

Fairview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

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Portage County, Ohio:

Grandview Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

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York County, Pennsylvania:

Suburban Memorial Park on "Find A Grave"

Ohio House Bill 168 Has Passed and is Headed for the Ohio Senate -- Progress Made for some of Ohio's Cemeteries!

Sharing some links regarding Ohio House Bill 168 which just passed and is now headed to the Ohio Senate for review and hopefully will gain passage as well.   

Press Release from the Ohio House - 132nd General Assembly regarding HB 168

And,

From the website: "Legiscan" regarding House Bill 168.  

Sadly, even active (current burial) cemeteries can become victims; victims of their owners who abandon them, which should be unheard of. 

 Fairview Memorial Park in Delaware County and Grandview Memorial Park, Ravenna, in Portage County, Ohio have lacked proper ownership for quite some time due to their owners becoming involved with criminal activity. 

Also, there are two cemeteries in southern Ohio where the owners fled the state: Floral Hills Memory Gardens, Circleville in Pickaway County; and Floral Hills Memory Gardens in Chillicothe, in Ross County. 

Volunteers are often the ones who are left behind to care for these "orphaned cemeteries" while they await new owners, which can be a long time coming. These are cemeteries that have current and future burials; yet no one to maintain their grounds and gravesites or their records.

Hopefully, House Bill 168 will also pass the Ohio Senate as it is the best legislation put forth to address these issues, and deserves to be enacted to save any other cemeteries that one day may be faced with such an unfortunate fate. 

Southington / Pinecrest Cemetery in Trumbull County, Ohio.: A Pioneer Cemetery "Lifted, Corrected, and Restored"

May I say that this week has been a stellar one for Ohio's Cemeteries - with more good news to share that keeps them in the spotlight!  
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Today, we're sharing this wonderful article that comes from Trumbull County, Ohio featuring the Southington / Pinecrest Cemetery (per "Find A Grave" - 884 interments and 95% photographed). 

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The title of the story is short; but it carries a big message:  

"Cemetery's Markers Righted"
which appeared online on October 22, 2017 on the website of the "Tribune Chronicle" published in Warren, Ohio.

The article covers the evolution of the Southington Cemetery Association and their work that began in 2002.  Now new leadership continues with the association's work to right the wrongs by completing restorations of gravestones of all types and sizes at the Southington Cemetery.  

Quoting below a short excerpt from the story.:

"The cemetery has some of the oldest markers from the early 1800s, including Civil War markers and markers of the founding families such as the Chalker family, including Newton Chalker, founder of the school system, and Luke Viets, founder of the township."

 Please check out:
The Southington / Pinecrest Cemetery on "Ohiogravstones.org"

"Remembering the Forgotten" -- Inviting You to Join Beth Wilson-Shoemaker on Her Cemetery Journeys!

     It is my pleasure to share this feature news article entitled:

          "Remembering the Forgotten"

     It was written by By Nikki Blankenship - nblankenship@aimmediamidwest.com of the "Daily Times" in Portsmouth, Ohio. 

     She interviewed Beth Wilson-Shoemaker; and because she did we, the readers, are so fortunate to have an opportunity to learn about Beth and her passion to preserve the cemeteries she visits. 

     This well-written article invites us to follow along with Beth and her rewarding pursuit to photograph, document, and preserve cemeteries while bringing to life the hidden stories they have waiting for us to discover.  

     Beth also has a fabulous Facebook Page:

    "A Grave Site: Cemetery Photographs by BAWS" 

Au naturel -- Sharing from Kettering, Ohio

Au naturel

Sharing from Kettering, Ohio. 

Spotlighting the Ridgelawn Cemetery in Elyria (Lorain County) Ohio

The photographs below are from my October 17, 2017 visit to Ridgelawn Cemetery in Elyria, Ohio. 

 It was my first visit, and one that was much overdue.  These are just a small sampling of the historic gravestones and monuments to be found at this early Ohio cemetery.  

The earliest burial that I found belongs to Nathaniel Porter who died in June (13th?) 1822.

  His "Find A Grave" memorial contains an extensive biographical write-up.  He was re-interred from another cemetery, however.  Links to memorials for his spouse and children are included with his memorial.  

A visitor can spend several splendid hours exploring Ridgelawn Cemetery in Elyria and easily become immersed in its landscape of amazing variety of trees among towering military monuments. One is topped with a soaring Eagle while another has a life-size Civil War soldier painted in appropriate Union Regimental colors. 

The 1820s - 1840s delicately carved grave markers there are indeed remarkable in their simplicity and not to be missed before you leave.  Several impressive mausoleums include those that are reminiscent of small sandstone houses! 

A visitor cannot help but be drawn to the grand wrought iron gated family plot of Heman Ely and his descendants.  

Ridgelawn Cemetery is a sacred place  where pioneer history awaits visitors who are fortunate enough to come and walk its grounds.