By Margo Ellis - February 12, 2026
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The "Popeye Thompson Family Cemetery" on Find a Grave.
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It isn't often when we discuss the small family cemeteries in Ohio that we stop to consider that there are some that are in the category of burials within the past 25 years - which would place them in the "Active" category. Thus, since also there is space for future burials perhaps, this small cemetery fits that description and will for some years to come. However, their other designation is that they are a small family cemetery and on private property.
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Normally, most Active cemeteries are eligible to be Registered. A Registered Cemetery is afforded stronger protections than those that are not.
One of those protections lies with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission. The OCDRC accepts complaints about cemetery problems and acts upon them with follow ups to those who are responsible for a cemetery's care. The OCDRC will not accept complaints regarding cemeteries that are not Registered, thus making it less likely problems will be resolved in a timely manner for those cemeteries.
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We need to learn more about these family cemeteries.
How many of them are there in Ohio? After asking the question online which as we know now is answered by "AI" (which has some disclaimers included), I was lead to several links.
One paragraph of many that is included is shown as such.:
"Registered vs. Unregistered: As of May 2024, there are over 4,100 registered cemeteries in Ohio. Since family cemeteries and those with no burials in the last 25 years do not have to register, thousands of "tiny, abandoned family graveyards" make up the difference between the registered count and the ~14,000+ total estimate."
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Thus, according to my calculations there are roughly 9,900 of those "tiny abandoned family graveyards" in Ohio.
Sadly, these marginalized cemeteries are fading fast -- and too much history has already been lost because of it.
So, it was quite exciting to read this account of the Popeye Thompson Family Cemetery.
It now has a greater hope that its legacy will endure much longer because of those who shared its family history story.
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