The Old Folks Home

[Alaskan]

The footstone also faces out, so the body is in between the two stones where there's no writing.

Oh funny.... I have seen some stones that are "backwards " where the writing is on the side where there is NOT a body...but most I have seen have the writing so that you stand on the body to read the stone.

Then again...this is Texas...so headstones from 1830 are crazy antique. Actually, I still can't find 2 grandfathers that died about 1850 to 1860. Most of mine died 1870 and later.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

scg, talking about not knowing where bodies are buried, years ago, most of my family bought adjoining cemetery plots. My grandparents on my dad's side, his sister, uncles, aunts, are buried on one side of the family section of plots, and my grandmother on my mother's side was buried on the other side, with room for my grandfather, when he passed.

When my grandfather died, they opened his grave. Surprise! Someone was already in his grave. It was so old, it was an old hardwood carved coffin, with leather hinges. Back then, they did not keep good records, so it never got marked on the chart. We had to postpone, and reschedule his funeral, then figure out where to bury him. My brother gave up his plot, so my grandfather could be by my grandmother. Yeah, we walked on someone's body, but never knew it was there.

You'd be surprised how bad most town records are for things like that. I've heard many, many stories like this.

On the topic of cemeteries, I own all the land surrounding this one.
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/bedford/cemeteries/bowling.txt
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/bedford/cemeteries/bowling01.txt
The first link is the main cemetery, the 2nd one is the last of the family (from what I have been told) that was actually buried outside of the cemetery on my land. It's weird, I own the field that the cemetery is on, but I do not own the cemetery it's self...
If you look at the right hand column, you will see some that are marked with a fieldstone, this is just a head sized white chunk of quartz without any markings on it....

Also, it says it is well maintained, that's a joke. When I bought the place, you couldn't even open the gate for all the weeds, we have at least cleaned the gates out and keep the grass down on the outside of the fence, we haven't tried cleaning out inside the fence yet, but when I move the horses out there and I'm out there every day, I'll hike up there and clean while the horses eat. Just getting the weeds down. I may get a load of mulch delivered and thick mulch the whole thing just to kill the weeds. There is one peony in there that I have seen, and I think there were a few hostas, but the rest is weeds.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to properly take care of this cemetery since obviously the family isn't?

No pics

I am no expert on all this, but you first need to find out what the laws are in your state. Some places to start:

http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/homepage_general/faq_cem_presv.htm#A
http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/uploadedFiles/MainSite/Content/Boards/Cemetery/Cemetery_Regs.pdf
http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/home/showdocument?id=138

 

[Alaskan]

Anyone have any suggestions on how to properly take care of this cemetery since obviously the family isn't?

Is there a local historical society? Or local group that manages cemeteries? I would google, or stop by your local town hall or visitor center.

Unfortunately, at least the only one I have ever tried to contact, are CLEARY doing all work on a volenteer basis and have many other things going on.

We finally found a headstone restoration dude. He has been very helpful, and arranged a clean-out crew to come and tear out the MANY trailer loads of thorns and brambles that had taken over.

He is very reasonable. ..but clearly not free..... not sure that is the way you want to go...

Personally, I would fence it well, do one weed removal out of my pocket, and then fill it with geese.

 

[perchie.girl]

@Cynthia12

I been thinking about you..... Are you anywhere near the fires?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Thank you Penny, I haven't been able to see these grandchildren much. They lived way north of us. Now, when the home is done, they will be much closer. I'm having the chance to get to know the personalities.
Oh, I have something I will be sharing when it gets done drying. The oldest girl is quite an artist. Wow, can she paint. She comes up the other day with this square thing in her hand, then I see what it is. Oh my goodness, she had painted a rooster for me! I started to cry. It was so beautifully done. She is letting it dry, then she sprays it with something. I will post photos when it's done drying.

Thank you my grandchildren are both in Juneau I can understand making the most of when they are close is important ... please do post the roo

 

[chickadoodles]

Nifty said that there is a bug in the system that puts up multiple year badges for people that have not logged into the new site. The Admins are working on a fix for the bug and the badges will be applied when the bug is fixed.

If you find one of your old posts and click on it, you can see the trophy points that you have. @getaclue has 10 for the 4 year badge so the trophy points have been applied

I was also wondering about the 4 year badge. Thanks Ron for letting us know.

 

[chickadoodles]

Hey Cynthia, Sounds like your having a very nice time with your family.
I know it can be stressful. But boy the joy of loving them makes it all worth while.
Can't wait to see the pic of the rooster. Sounds beautiful.

 

[chickadoodles]

Sometimes the cemetery records go over to the libraries for genealogy researchers.
I found a lot there.

 

[superchemicalgirl]

Diva, just finished a large thing of Caramel Cone and thought of you.

How's the supply of ice cream in your neck of the woods?

 

[Cynthia12]

@Cynthia12

I been thinking about you..... Are you anywhere near the fires?

No..thank goodness. It is so bad. So many homes and cabins being burned, just gone. And, all of that beauty we loved seeing traveling that way. Gone.