Happy New Year! A Wish List for 2021 - May it be a good year for all cemeteries in the Great State of Ohio!

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and happy New Year! 

 Looking ahead to 2021 and making up a "Wish List" for Ohio's Cemeteries.:

May 2021 be a year of locating and documenting more remote and almost forgotten cemeteries.

May 2021 be a year where a greater number of Ohioans pursue cemetery preservation in whatever capacity they can. 

May 2021 be a year where our Ohio lawmakers take a serious look at ways to strengthen existing laws (Ohio Revised Codes) that impact cemeteries - all cemeteries regardless of their status - and propose amendments that accomplish that goal. Seek new legislation that really helps cemeteries like what HB168 has done. 

May 2021 be a year of greater hands -on volunteerism at Ohio's cemeteries regardless of their size, age, location, or status.

 May 2021 be a year that sees some Ohio cemeteries finally get their long-awaited legal owners.  Owners who are committed to overseeing their regular and proper care.

We know each cemetery in the Buckeye State holds its own history just waiting for us to visit and learn more about it.

 May 2021 be a year of more success stories about those who are committed to properly preserving Ohio's cemeteries.  

Sharing a quote by Sir William Ewart Gladstone.  It carries a timeless message that highlights how important it is for us, the living, to care about the final resting places of those who came before us.:   

“Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness the tender mercies of its people, their respect for the laws of the land, and their loyalty to high ideals.” 

May 2021 be a year of attaining these high ideals that better protect and preserve Ohio's most sacred spaces - its cemeteries. 

Update: Belmont County, Ohio - WPA Cemetery Plat Maps are aslo located on the Belmont County, Ohio GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Home Page

First, answering the question:  

"What is GIS?"

From the USGS.Gov website

And

GIS Lounge:

"This is probably the most asked question posed to those in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) field and is probably the hardest to answer in a succinct and clear manner. 

GIS is a technological field that incorporates geographical features with tabular data in order to map, analyze, and assess real-world problems."

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Belmont County GIS Director:  

Anthony Atkins,  aadkins@belcogis.com

First:

Belmont County Ohio Engineer County Maps

Under:

LINKS

BELMONT COUNTY GIS:

Belmont County, Ohio GIS Home Page

Cemeteries of Belmont County Ohio

***WPA Cemetery Plat Book – 171 pages***

"Your Guide to the Cemeteries of Belmont County, Ohio" – 294 pages 

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Clicking on any tombstone icon will bring up the cemetery's name with information for it such as: 

The cemetery's alternative names; WPA Plat Book page number; the township name where it is located;  USGS quadrangle; latitude and longitude; Cemetery Guide Book Link; and Plat Book Link 

***(See direct links above for the "Your Guide to the Cemeteries of Belmont County Ohio" (Guide Book) and the WPA Cemetery Plat Map Book)***

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Layers:

Base Map Gallery:

Below is a sample for Belmont Ridge Cemetery:

Details:

Below Example:  

Wesley Chapel Cemetery

Box of information shown in 3 images

No. 3 image shows 

"Guide Book Link"

and "Plat Book Link"

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218 cemeteries listed on Find A Grave

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Wishing everyone a blessed Christmas - It is a white one in Ohio!

Wishing everyone a healthy, safe, and happy Christmas 2020!  

If you live anywhere in Ohio, you just might be seeing snow falling this Christmas!  Where I am it started snowing yesterday and continues today.  The wind is picking up and that will make for snow drifts.  

This is the time of year we can reflect on the days that have gone by during a year that is now rapidly closing.  They are remarkable in so many ways for most of us.  

Quite sadly, of course, because of dealing with COVID-19 since March, 2020, the human toll taken on individuals, our country, and indeed the entire world, simply cannot be calculated.  Thankfully, new help giving us greater hope is happening - the Covid-19 vaccine - and it can't come soon enough.  Unfortunately, it is coming too late for those who have lost their battle with this virus, and possibly those who are still fighting their way through it. Prayers continue for all who have been personally affected by this virus. 

Despite everything negative that has happened in 2020, today is still Christmas.  It only comes once a year for those who celebrate it.  Holding tight to the true meaning of this day allows us to go forward with a renewed strength and resolve.  

Sharing, in the Spirit of Christmas, a link to a Find A Grave memorial for a gentleman born in 1828 who enjoyed spreading the tradition of Christmas with others - Augustus "August" Imgard who died in 1904 and was buried in the Wooster Cemetery in Wayne County, Ohio.  

Introducing New Series, "Lay Me Down to Rest: The Cemeteries Of Williams...

Civil War veterans honored at Greenville Union Cemetery - Darke County, Ohio

Civil War veterans honored at Greenville Union Cemetery

Sharing from Greenville, Darke County, Ohio.:

 Greenville Union Cemetery on Find A Grave

Wreath laying to honor veterans - from the Record-Herald Washington Court House, Fayette County, Ohio -- Wreaths Across America

Wreath laying to honor veterans

Historic Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio will be receiving long needed repair or replacement of markers in the most deteriorated condition

Sharing this uplifting article published in the "Marietta Times" about a well known cemetery many of us have either read about or were fortunate enough to visit. 

This story appears in the December 10, 2020 online edition of the newspaper written by Michele Newbanks.
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Mr. Mike Ryan, Washington County Historical Society Treasurer, provided his first-hand knowledge of the condition of the Mound Cemetery emphasizing the long standing need to repair and/or replace several hundred early markers that are in endangered by their severe deterioration. 

Excerpt:

"For the ones which are unreadable, Ryan is trying to figure out who is buried near them. He is working on building a new map of the cemetery, but old maps show who owns the plot, not necessarily who is buried there.

He has been taking photos of the burial information and building a database from what he’s found so far."
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“Mound Cemetery”, written by Marietta College English professor Owen Hawley and published in 1996, has helped him tremendously with his efforts, he said. It is an examination of historical, genealogical and artistic aspects of the cemetery, according to the historical society."
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Mound Cemetery on Find A Grave currently has 3,167 memorials.

There are six famous burials at the Mound Cemetery in Marietta.

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Sharing 2018 photographs below courtesy of Mr. Ken Naegele -- "The Necro Tourist" -- Website: "The Necro Tourist".:

Mound Cemetery entrance sign. - Ken Naegle - TNT Images (C) 2018

Mound Cemetery mounted plaque and monument dedicated to Washington County, Ohio pioneers 1788 - 1830. - Ken Naegle - TNT Images (C) 2018:

 

Below - the gravesite of Ohio Governor Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. - Ken Naegle - TNT Images (C) 2018

Find A Grave memorial for Gov. Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr.:

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Photographs below are from this author's 1998 trip to the Mound Cemetery in Marietta.:

Below is a closer up view of the inscription on the monument for Ohio Governor Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr. :  

 

Below is a closer up view of the plaque.:

Below is a view from atop the mound at Mound Cemetery.:

Below is a view looking up to the Mound.

"Finding our veterans" - Revolutionary War veteran Robert S. Craig

Finding our veterans
Sharing from Preble County, Ohio.  
Fairmount Cemetery on Find A Grave. 
There is a gravestone photo request listed on Find A Grave for veteran, Robert S. Craigo 

Historical marker approved for Camden, Preble County, Ohio

Historical marker approved for Camden
Sharing.  Preble County, Ohio.: 
Orchard Hill Cemetery on Find A Grave
146 memorials on Find A Grave

Sharing this spotlight story about Green Lawn Cemetery and Randel "Randy" Rogers whose work at Columbus' Premier Cemetery is a labor of love for him

Columbus Dispatch Reporter, Holly Zachariah, has covered news about Ohio's cemeteries in various types of stories spanning several years.  I can attest that's true; and I'm sure there may be some I missed.

Be sure, though, not to miss reading this one!  

Thanking Holly for bringing us this spotlight story published November 30, 2020 because it is one we so rarely find in content about an Ohio cemetery.  That is because so rarely does someone like Randel L. Rogers come along.  He is the Executive Director of Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus.  

Perhaps better known as Randy Rogers by those who are familiar with him and his dedicated work, he painstakingly preserves the cemetery's grounds.  He gives special attention to the needs of the monuments and markers that identify the gravesites of both the famous and the lesser known souls who found peace and rest at this historic landmark cemetery. 

Be sure to scroll down the page and view the four minute awe-inspiring video interview with Randy Rogers as he describes some of his work with preserving the trees and monuments at Green Lawn Cemetery.  

We hope for more truly inspirational cemetery stories like this one to come along - ones that could only be made possible by someone as uniquely qualified and dedicated as Randy Rogers. 

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   Green Lawn Cemetery on Facebook

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Green Lawn Cemetery Association

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Green Lawn Cemetery has 148,033 memorials posted for it on "Find A Grave."

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Current Green Lawn Cemetery Map

  

Happy Thanksgiving! -- Thoughts on Being Thankful and Grateful

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Thanksgiving is steeped in American history as we know.  Being thankful is what we do this day as we set aside time to count our blessings that give us reasons to hope for even brighter days ahead.

Many of our ancestors were a part of the history of America.  We may pause and be thankful for them and their sacrifices and contributions that helped bring us to today.     

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, being thankful, and thinking of ancestors, I wanted to share a Find A Grave link for the given name of Thankful for those buried in Ohio which numbers 147.    Taking it a step further, doing a global type search for the given name of Thankful on Find A Grave, we find there are currently listed 4,269 memorials posted for this beautiful name.  

Yet, it seems the given name of Thankful has fallen out of favor over the years; we rarely see it anymore or know anyone who has the name "Thankful."  

Fortunately, it doesn't matter if our given name is "Thankful" or not, we can celebrate Thanksgiving in all of the ways possible that bring us joy and gratefulness. 

By the way, "Find A Grave" only has 6 memorials posted for the given name of "Grateful."  We need more Grateful too!

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What a beautiful name - Thankful Joy! 

"Men Seek grave markers for Holmes County brothers who died in the Civil War"

 Sharing this news story from Baltic in Holmes County, Ohio.   From the "Times-Reporter" by Jon Baker and published November 22, 2020.: 

BALTIC:
"In December 1861, three brothers from Holmes County — Tobias, Isaac and Stephen Miller — enlisted in Company C of the 67th Ohio Volunteer Infantry to fight for their country in the Civil War.

Only one of them, Isaac, came back from the war.

Tobias and Stephen both died in combat on the same day on July 18, 1863, in the attack on Fort Wagner, S.C., a battle made famous by the movie "Glory."

Eventually, their bodies were brought back to Ohio and buried in the Shutt-Berger Cemetery just outside of Baltic. 

But their graves were never marked, and two men, Forrest Chanay of the Holmes County Civil War Roundtable and Jeff Schrock of the Sugarcreek American Legion post, are working to make sure the Miller brothers get the honor they deserve.

"We're applying for the stones now and hoping that everything will go through and we'll have them in time to have them installed by Memorial Day," said Chanay, who has spent the past several years getting military gravestones for Holmes.County Civil War veterans.

The three brothers grew up on a farm in Walnut Creek Township, the son of Jeptha Miller. The father was a member of the Amish Mennonite church and was born in Somerset County, Pa., Jeptha was married three times and had 19 children.

Isaac enlisted in the 67th OVI on Dec. 9, 1861, at age 19. Tobias, 23, and Stephen, 17, joined the unit 10 days later.

Their regiment saw hard service in the war, participating in numerous battles in Virginia in 1862 before the unit was shipped to South Carolina in 1863. During the assault on Fort Wagner, the 67th OVI sustained heavy losses.

"Isaac Miller served through the rest of the war with his regiment, being discharged on Dec. 9, 1865, with the rank of first sergeant.

He died Jan. 28, 1900, at age 57."

"Deceased was well and favorably known in eastern Holmes County where he had resided his whole life," his obituary said. "For several years, and at the time of his death, he conducted a general merchandise store in Charm, where his untimely death will be lamented, not only by his family but the public in general."

Isaac made an unsuccessful run for Holmes County commissioner in 1898.

Schrock said the Sugarcreek American Legion post plans to hold a small ceremony at the cemetery when Tobias and Stephen Miller get their grave markers.

In the meantime, he and Chanay are trying to track down relatives of the brothers who might be interested in attending the event.."

"Maybe some family members would come forward," Schrock said. "If we can get the stones, the goal is to have a little ceremony sometime close to Memorial Day next spring."

"Anyone with information on the family can contact Schrock at 330-852-2629 or Chanay at 330-600-4377."

"Headstones - history uncovered in small Clark County graveyard"

Sharing from the Springfield News-Sun, November 18, 2020 - by columnist, Pam Cottrel, this inspiring story of how a small almost forgotten cemetery is getting much needed help from those who are dedicated to saving it for future generations.  

We rarely read success stories being written about long inactive and small, out of the way cemeteries in Ohio (or anywhere for that matter!), but this one about the Minnich Graveyard in Clark County, Ohio is a true success story in a major way that proves there can be hope for others like it.   

Enjoy viewing the Lowry family monument recently created and hand carved by renowned Indiana carver, Casey Winningham, who is indeed an expert in his field.

Excerpt from the article:

"Any historical or genealogical information that might help with the restoration project would be greatly appreciated, especially by Miles who would like to meet some local Lowry cousins.

Winningham is also available for additional restoration work in this area and for custom made stones. He can be contacted at (812) 327-3565. A gallery of his work can be viewed at.:"

Carver, Casey Winningham

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Minnich Graveyard on Find A Grave with 48 memorials.

RESEARCHING CEMETERY RECORDS IN NORTHWEST OHIO

If you are researching cemeteries located in counties in northwest Ohio, you have several resources to check with for the types of records that they have.  We'll be building a list of them here as we find them.  

One wonderful resource is Bowling Green State University Library's Center for Archival Collections.  You can search in person or by mail request.   

See links below for the most current information for such things as fees and hours of operation.:

"CAC" is an abbreviation for Center for Archival Collections"

"The CAC provides a variety of services, including photocopying, scanning, and research assistance. Upon completion of your request, our Budget Office will send you an invoice. We accept cash, check, money order, or credit card for payment. A 6.5% sales tax applies to patrons within the state of Ohio.

Mailed Orders:

Please allow an additional 8-10 business days to receive research requests by mail. Research requests shipped via USPS will be charged a flat rate of $5.00, and estimates will be provided to orders shipped via UPS.

Research Fees:

A fee of $25.00 per hour will be charged for research performed on your behalf by one of our archivists with a maximum of 2 hours. The first 30 minutes are free."

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Putnam County:

County Recorder

Cemetery Plot Maps, 1939-1940, 1r (#78)

Deed Records, 1830-1903, 51r (#45-50; 100-144)

Index to Cemetery Lots, 1885-1969, 1r (#54)

Index to Soldiers' Discharge Records, 1944-1997, 1r (#167)

Index to Soldiers' Grave Records, 1943-1992, 1r (#54)

Soldiers' Discharge Records, 1861-1997, 7r (#52-53; 168-172)

Soldiers' Grave Record, 1860s-1976, 2r (#54, 64)

Veteran's Grave Registration Plot Book, 1939-1940 1r (#78)

Truro Cemetery Burial Records, 1941-1998, 1r (#5)

Truro Cemetery Deed Records, 1922-1987, 1r (#3)

Truro Cemetery Interment Records, 1922-1985, 2r (#3-4)

Truro Cemetery Lot Record, 1941-1998, 1r (#5)

Truro Cemetery Accountants Records, 1921-1928, 1r (#19)

Cemetery Lot Sales Record, 1873-1939, 1r (#1)

Cemetery Reports, 1920-1949, 1r (#1)

Grave Digging Account Record, 1907, 1r (#1)

Leipsic Cemetery Lot Sales Record, 1873-1882; 1891-1902, 1r (#1)

Sugar Ridge Cemetery Lot Records, n.d., 1r (#1)

Sugar Ridge Cemetery Tombstones, 1872-1986, 1r (#1)

Sugar Ridge Cemetery Interment Records, 1909-1965, 1r (#1)

West Belmore Cemetery Lot Records, n.d., 1r (#1)

West Belmore Cemetery Tombstones, 1874-1977, 1r (#1)

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MS 999 mf - Catholic Cemeteries--Diocese of Toledo:

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The Defiance County, Ohio Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society.

A fantastic blog!  

You can spend the day searching away on this wonderful blog! 

You'll find several posts offering a diverse and interesting collection of records; many relating to cemeteries!  

Check out the years 2016 - starting in May, 2016 where there are 6 posts; and also in 2017 and in 2018 for posts about the W.P.A. Historical Survey records for cemeteries.  These are are rather obscure records - perhaps even more difficult to locate than the W.P.A. Cemetery Plot Maps for all of Ohio's 88 counties.

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There is also a Facebook Group dedicate to Northwest Ohio.:

Northwest Ohio Genealogy Group

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Incorporating early burial records for Ohio cemeteries is essential to grasping a full understanding of them and their history as you move through time to today with your current research. 

Ohio’s 3rd-largest Norway Spruce shelters graves of local vets

Ohio’s 3rd-largest Norway Spruce shelters graves of local vets

Sharing this story from Eaton, in Preble County, Ohio.

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https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/42226/mound-hill-cemetery

Two news stories provide details for several Stark County and area cemeteries and their Cemetery Grant Program distributions

 On November 16, 2020, Ed Balint, veteran journalist reporter for "The Canton Repository" published two reports that can be accessed online.  They detail the 2020 distribution of Cemetery Grant Program funds to Stark County cemeteries and some other area cemeteries that applied to the Ohio Department of Commerce and received the awards. 

In the article entitled: "Stark County's Melscheimer Cemetery gets state grant to boost upkeep", we learn this Pike Township cemetery received $1,000 to remove trees.

The Melscheimer Cemetery is listed on Find A Grave with 3,642 memorials. 

The German Cemetery, in Sandy Township, Tuscarawas County, is also mentioned in this article.  It has 517 memorials listed for it on Find A Grave. 

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In the second article: " 'Priceless piece of history' to be cleaned at Dalton Cemetery" we learn about this Wayne County cemetery which has 2,638 memorials listed for it on Find A Grave. The story states that the Dalton Cemetery received $851 to clean gravestones. A video about the Dalton Cemetery is featured. 

There is a stunning full-length photograph of the Mary A. Morrow Jameson white bronze (zinc) monument that towers over the markers around it.  These unique grave markers and monuments are always a treat to see! Ohio is indeed fortunate to have a good variety and large number of them.  They can be found gracing the landscapes at cemeteries in urban areas and small townships.

The Arnold Cemetery in Sugar Creek Township, Wayne County, is also included in this report.  It received a $1,000 to repair and reset grave markers. 103 memorials are shown for the Arnold Cemetery on Find A Grave. 

These reports are both educational and uplifting to read.  We learn how the grant money will be put to good use.  The cemeteries benefitting from the Ohio Cemetery Grant funds awarded to them will be able to move ahead with their plans that help to better preserve and protect gravesites and the gravestones that mark them.  More respect will be restored that in turn honors the memories of those who called home the communities we live in today.  

Moonville Cemetery in Vinton County, Ohio suffered severe vandalism attack yet again

The "Scioto Post" feature story (November 16 2020) by Jeremy Newman.:

 "200 year-old Southern Ohio Cemetery Vandalized Again in Less than a Year"  brings tremendous heartbreak for those who have been following the sad saga of this tiny rural abandoned cemetery that only has 26 Find A Grave memorials.  The article states that the Vinton County Sheriff is investigating. 

The extent of the damage is sickening and saddening.  No cemetery should be subjected to such disgusting desecration. The photographs tell the story beyond what any words could convey for understanding.    

A Facebook page entitled "Moonville Rail Trail Association" today (November 16 2020) also broke the news about this latest vandalism attack on the tiny burying ground. Included in the post is a link to the "Go Fund Me" account set up for the needs of the Moonville Cemetery. 

Once again we are reminded that in the State of Ohio, cemetery grant fund money is only available to certain categories of cemeteries.  Inactive / abandoned, family, and for-profit cemeteries are excluded from receiving cemetery grant money funds that originated from the passage of HB168.  

Once these pioneer burying grounds are gone - they are gone for good; and we can't take them for granted. 

Ohio's lawmakers need to strengthen and update existing Ohio Revised Codes that impact all of the state's cemeteries. 

The passage of stronger legislation  is crucial.  It should include funding for any cemetery in crisis regardless of its status -- i.e. registered and non-registered cemeteries alike.  

Over the years, several posts have been shared here about active cemeteries with no owners, for-profit cemeteries that have multiple unresolved long-standing complaints about those responsible for them.  

The list of problems goes on and on.  

The need is urgent for Ohio's cemeteries which are all at risk for vandalism or for other reasons; and sadly remains so as we move toward 2021.     

Sharing this story from Otterbein University - "Otterbein Professors Use Cemeteries as Teaching Tools"

How gratifying it is to learn about this educational program offered at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. 

It is spotlighted in significant detail on the university's website on October 29, 2020. 

 It isn't often we learn of universities utilizing cemeteries as serious study tools.  

As we know, too much history has already been lost at many of Ohio's earliest cemeteries. The next generation needs to learn more about the lives of those who came before us who have been at rest in them - perhaps for more than a century. The program's scope of studies is detailed clearly throughout the report.  Familiar topics covered include: understanding carving styles and learning about the varying types of stone materials chosen at different time periods for grave markers and monuments.   

The program's focus centers on three different categories of cemeteries in the central Ohio area.:

The first one is also the largest one - the Otterbein Cemetery - with 4,533 memorials posted for it on Find A Grave.   

Next, is the Olde Methodist Cemetery, also listed on Find A Grave with 246 memorials. 

Below is the Olde Methodist Cemetery's description on Find A Grave.:

"The Methodist Cemetery was founded in 1849, when Garrit Sharp gave land to the church. There are over 200 burials in this small cemetery, but some records and some stones have been lost to time. The final burial occured in 1956. For many years, it was known as the Lincoln Street Cemetery."

And, with the smallest number of burials of the three cemeteries with eight memorials, is the Kokosing Nature Preserve that offers natural burials. 

The website for the Kokosing Nature Preserve provides further information about their natural burial option. 

I feel students enrolled in this type of program, or others similar in nature, could ultimately choose a lifetime career in any number of cemetery-related fields.  

As we have come to learn, "cemetery preservation" is in reality an umbrella term.  It encompasses a vast array of subjects with a wide range of elements pertaining to cemeteries ranging from archaeology, burial documentation, and landscape conservation measures. The hands-on learning experiences should also include how to properly clean, repair, and reset historic gravestones - the key word being properly!   

Cemeteries are hallowed grounds deserving of our respect and careful attention to their ongoing needs. They are living breathing sacred spaces holding life stories of triumphs and tragedies.  They are key to unlocking histories hidden far too long in our communities all across Ohio and America.