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."

Sunday, November 26, 2017

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/

Monday, November 20, 2017

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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Sunday, November 19, 2017

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."

Friday, November 17, 2017

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: 

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.


Saturday, November 4, 2017

"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!