Digging In A Cemetery You Won't Believe What I Find

Want to learn more? Classes on cemetery conservation? How to clean, products used? Check the links below.
▬▬▬ Classes ▬▬▬
Cemetery Preservation Class bit.ly/4duNlis
How To Clean A Headstone bit.ly/3OBZXd1
How To Level A Lawn Marker bit.ly/494Hmyi
Products I'm Using bit.ly/3OehszL
▬▬▬ CONNECT WITH AND SUPPORT ME ▬▬▬
Help Support Conservation Efforts and Extra Content via Patreon bit.ly/3KiNZDn
▬▬▬ Follow Me On ▬▬▬
KZbin / @millennialstonecleaner
Instagram / millennialstonecleaner
TikTok / millennialstonecleaner
Facebook / millennialstonecleaner
#CemeteryConservation #historicpreservation #history #HistoricPreservation #FamilyHistory

[@judsonr1]

I’ve taken over 10,000 photos in cemeteries for Findagrave and yet I have never dug a single hole. I’m living vicariously through your videos and your dedication to preservation. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulinebrennan8836]

Thank you for all your time photographing all the memorials. I’ve been researching my ancestors for some time now & much appreciate being able to find their final resting place ❤

[@lauralake7430]

Thank you for taking those photos! Ive seen relatives graves i will never be able to travel to because of people like you!❤

[@InconsistentManner]

Hey thanks for what You have done. If it wasn't for a person like Yourself I wouldn't be able to fill the holes in My Grandfathers family. 11 brothers and sisters with only My Grandfathers Youngest Brother left (just all be it barely). Boxes of photos and records gone from many floods and other family throwing things away with complete disregard of any other family members. Again Thank You so SOO much.

[@BeeWhistler]

Nice! I went looking for two of them today and entirely failed. Someone put a request on there and I was boggled… it was my first attempt. I’ve explored cemeteries, but finding graves? Yeah, turns out that’s hard. What’s depressing is seeing obvious graves with no markers, or a stone with no inscription. Should have brought paper and crayon for some of them…

[@jwfinley7808]

He throws dirt everywhere?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😢😢

[@sherribauch5481]

I love how you approach your work with respect and honor for not just the headstones but the person who is buried there and the person’s story. Thank you.

[@CatCmdr]

You’re looking like an archeologist today. When in doubt, dig it out! 😊 You’re a good teacher and narrator as well. Massive admiration. 💙💙💙💙

[@Stephanie-ln7rc]

I think it's wonderful that you do this. It shows respect for the forgotten.

[@cmg6848]

It will be a long job but will be very satisfying to do and will undoubtedly look spectacular once the project is completed.

[@DMC8707]

Cemetery people would thank you for take care of their tombstone fixed and respect! 😊

[@jwfinley7808]

He throws dirt all over! Not thinking!

[@northoutdoors2841]

Coming from a family with a funeral home, vault setting, etc, you should be putting a tarp down to put your dirt on because the mowers are not going to like the dirt on the grass and it looks bad.

[@prwolf71]

I love that you do this work. so many get forgotten graves and cemeteries in this world.

[@jwfinley7808]

I was a caretaker for 11 years. If I did any digging my dirt would go in a wheel barrel so I didnt make a mess like you are!

[@jwfinley7808]

1858 was the Oldest in the one I worked.

[@Teepeeformybumholio]

Exactly, he's made it worse.

[@andreacook7431]

I did archaeological field school. We used the square shovels and sharpened them with a grinder. You could skim millimeters of soil with those. You might think about that.

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Very interesting

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

I really love your choice of music. Fits perfectly with what you are doing.

[@user-cc7uf9go2w]

Another great day at the cemetery with you; thanks again. As my old partner and mentor used to say "you never know what you've got until you start digging." I found one of those huge bases about a month ago and it was for a footstone. I've seen a lot of cases where pieces that really didn't fit were used so I think that where I live anyway the carvers would often just use/sell whatever they had available rather than necessarily carve everything new. I had another one at that same cemetery where the T slot was bigger than the tab so they just cut two small pieces of marble and filled the empty space with them. Only time I've found that (I removed the pieces and filled in with Lithomex as the pieces were badly weathered, discolored, and looked really bad).

[@millennialstonecleaner]

At least you found some marble is one of them. I found rusty square cut nails in one not long ago. 🙃

[@user-cc7uf9go2w]

@@millennialstonecleaner I guess it's all relative. But it's obvious it was common to cut corners. The ones that really get me are the ones where the inscriptions are very wrong (e.g. deid for died). Why did they accept those and, I can only guess, pay for them ? I can only hope they got a discount.

[@doloreswhite6736]

You are so gentle when doing this I think it is just wonderful to watch a person like you doing the work for the deceased. Thank you and God bless you.

[@kennethsimmons5235]

Brother I love what you are doing. I just hope you have taken about 10,000 pictures and notes. I have worked construction all my life and I have seen where someone can get way of a project and get over whelmed trying to finish the punch out list... Peace be with you and Semper Fi.

[@lucyxchan6808]

I always love the stories that graves tell. You will find everything from" he died at the age of 99 sorounded by his loved ones over an widows grave next to her 7 stillborns to an unnamed guy an horse dragged into town from half an county away...

[@maidenminnesota1]

Curious if that old glass isn't the faceplate from an old Fisk coffin? That would mean, though, that there are no burial vaults, or at least not at that grave. One thing I've learned, is that I will leave in my final statement of wishes to not have a marble headstone. Sad that once those stones are completely gone, so can be, in too many cases, any record that the person existed. That's the true and final death.

[@judsonr1]

I have to believe it’s geographical/environmental too. I have been to multiple cemeteries in the mountains of Colorado where there are still wooden markers that are well over 130 years old. Unfortunately most can no longer be read. Rural cemeteries that aren’t irrigated also appear to have memorials that hold up much better than cemeteries that are regularly watered.

[@BBQNBLUES]

Fascinating ! What you're attempting to do is Good KARMA :) might want to use a plastic tarp to throw dirt onto... keeping everything neat. That's some rich soil too.

[@kalford4909]

I’m so glad I found your videos! 2 months ago I found an old family cemetery of my ancestors. It’s in a neighborhood in someone’s backyard. My kids and I are going later this week to start the clean up! Thank you for what you do!

[@karenvaughn2248]

fIt’s a shame the way people are forgotten,. But then comes a nice guy like you. Keep up the good work.

[@kerryg4119]

That was a great video! I got a lot more sense of what you are going through digging up these stones. The length was perfect and great content. I also thought the music was very relaxing and appropriate. Thanks! Really looking forward to the next installment.

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Hey thanks! Lot more to come that’s for sure.

[@BlindTom61]

You are a saintly dude.

[@snowygirl3171]

Iv watched my husband dig many a fence post hole over the years..he always put his dirt in a pile 😂😂😂 first time watcher.

[@Elit1882]

I love relaxing watching this. Thank you for sharing your experience

[@adventure7434]

Graveology. Beautiful work. My dad flew JFK and LBJ in a marine 1 helicopter to and from The White House. In his 25-year career. Later in his life he visited all the Presidents graves for a book he was writing. Unfortunately, he didn't live to see it published. I remember him so disappointed on how some of the presidents' graves were terribly marked. The worst was a grave located in the middle of cow pastures. I love what you do.

[@knightowl5512]

Did it get published?

[@adventure7434]

@@knightowl5512 unfortunately it did not. It's in pieces here there and everywhere.

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

For you complaining about where he's putting the soil at . If you had listened ,he said in the ist video ,that the entire cemetery is going to be redone .and he's allowed to put the soil near the grave sites . If you want to nitpick on him so bad ,then go help him out in the restoration work .

[@leslyeschoenhuth1107]

It is incredible that you find the stones in the moist ground.. Glad there are records to assist you..

[@IntrepidsRus]

Love the tiny little headstone. Great work

[@timothyshortnacy7550]

I enjoy watching your videos and your work. Appreciate your skills.

[@brindaking981]

Where are you?. Great thing you’re doing. Am you can tell I’m new here. I’ve been watching Virginia tombstone revival

[@blairrogers8724]

I love your videos and the work you do!

[@lindaopperthauser2284]

I applaud what you do. So much respect. 💙💚🙏

[@mygrammieis]

awesome job -amazing Find💯👍🕊️🙏💐Rest In Peace

[@deannasmith5281]

Thanks!

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

Beautiful music on this video, Wade! It matched the mood and the work perfectly. That was a massive foundation you found! What were the odds you'd another similar to it nearby? I can see that it's such interesting and satisfying work. No two stones or situations are ever remotely the same! This is going to be beautiful when you've finished with it!

[@texanasimmons1761]

I love what you are doing. I just stumbled across your channel and have subscribed.❤

[@melissah4084]

My back hurts for you! Lol. That was a ton of work!

[@decsister]

So interesting!

[@anoniaciesluk3273]

You could use a ground penetrating system like archeology uses to see what’s underground before you have to start digging.

[@ruadhscottygirl2480]

Very expensive.

[@kathleenmoore4019]

God bless you ❤

[@bolinde1965]

Je zal hem toch maar even op je grasveldje vinden😊 grapje. Prachtig werk wat hij allemaal doet, ik kijk altijd met bewondering

[@beautifulvictory9683]

Can the marble be treated? I mean for a marker that hasn't turned to sugar yet. I guess it could be a process. IDK.

[@skippes_view]

When you find a headstone that’s been covered by soil or grass do you document who it is and where it was ? Are you cataloging all the headstones & locations in this cemetery? Sadly my Dads side of my family is buried in a cemetery in Port Townsend ,Wa and the records and conditions are just as bad as the one you’re working on ( the Masons own this cemetery😔and don’t care )

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Yes that was the last video I posted.

[@jannz7545]

Thanks you for keeping history. I was wondering if the cemetery minds or has objections to the digging

[@girtybirt3018]

why do you toss the dirt everywhere. it would be better in a pile.

[@ruthkaylor1361]

Do you need authorization from some agency to do this or clean the stones? P.S. Great job.

[@helencheadle5709]

I’m in the U.K., and fascinated how you rush around doing this. Buy isn’t there a lot of red tape to cut through? Permission from the cemetery people, family of the grave if known etc etc..and proof the cleaners your using are NOT going to further dsmage or erode the stones? It’d awful the way marble goes to dust as you showed us…you would have thought stone masons would have got wise to that and advised people NOT to choose marvel, but granite which is harder. So sad names and dates get eroded away and the person buried loses their last way of showing their identity. Really hard work, but so necessary and much appreciated by families and us all around thr world who are watching,learning, admiring and very appreciative. Thankyou for sharing! Donation to help coming up! Warm regards from U.K.! 👩‍🦳👏👏👏👏👏🙏💐🕊️💕🫶👍🌹😇🤗😘😘😘

[@Gonefishing-hm3jv]

Cemetery be like ugh dang Gophers digging up the grounds ughh lol

[@rascalgirl84]

Love watching your videos and how much you take care of these stones. Have you ever accidentally dug into an older grave itself? As I know long ago they could have not had the depth rules they have for graves now. Just curious.

[@dotcassilles1488]

The top corner you found next to the 2nd of the broken grave stones/markers looks like its the missing piece of the first of the broken ones that was missing the top corner.

[@jacobflippin8880]

Did you use ground penetrating radar GPR to locate the buried stones?

[@MrCarlsco]

I beliive if you put a bag or two of pebbles under the stone it would help with drainage slowing the process of the headstone failing.

[@rosesrose9131]

Where are you throwing the dirt that you are digging? Won't you just have to go get it when you need to fill the stone back in? How many do you pull before you reinstall them?

[@1fatcat65]

A tarp for the soil to go on would be a big help 👍

[@millennialstonecleaner]

All my other projects I use a tarp but since I’m doing this entire cemetery and not immediately putting everything back it would just be one huge tarp so I’m going the messy route and will regrade and seed after

[@terrypotts1138]

Interesting what happens.

[@Sewhome]

Do you use D2 for the stones?

[@littleone7404]

What made you choose to do this project ?

[@LisaG-fu9zp]

can you put the soil on tarp and do you use a pin pointer for metal objects?

[@andrewquarltere7024]

the tittle took me off guard 😂

[@Jagm51]

Where do you find the 2nd video of this

[@tylergreim7505]

Where are you from? I hear you talk about Des Moines alot I live in Davenport Iowa and I’m interested in getting into this sorta work

[@martihetrick609]

Hey I'm wondering if it could be a baby graves would be cool to find and clean up

[@michaelhawkins5530]

I'm thinking using a smaller shovel would make it easier to dig. Sometimes, less is more.

[@kathleendyer672]

I want to go to Cherry Fork, Ohio, to do some work on the my 5X great-grandparents headstones. They are broken and on the ground. As a novice, I won’t be doing the reconstruction work that you’re doing so I need to find or hire someone to work with me. How do I start?

[@pmccoy8924]

Unfortunate that so many cemeteries are like this. It seems as time passes family connection does as well. Cemetery got their initial money and seems to shrug as well at maintenance.

[@TravelingWithSpecialAbilities]

How do you get permission to do the work? My nephew's stone has sunken over 1 ft. Below the surface. We always dug the dirt back just to have it covered a year later. I am the last person to take care of it. But I live in Texas, and the grave is in Massachusetts. So it's been years! I hope to just dig it up and reset it higher. It's a baby grave, and 4 other graves next to his is the same way. I wonder if I could fix those as well.

[@cheripickrell4090]

Do you ever find parts of the coffin when your digging

[@Crafter_H]

What is curbing?

[@geraldblackburn4883]

Surprised you do not put a tarp or heavy plastic like Visqueen to put the dirt on, as you shovel ?

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

He's explained this a couple of times including on another comment in the thread. 😊

[@geraldblackburn4883]

@@Lucinda_Jackson sorry did not, have not seen that other comment.

[@martihetrick609]

The rock you found someone might left it there for some reason

[@naricewoolon3248]

First visit....Are you a cemetery worker so have Authority to do this work within... Maybe a regular could enlighten me.

[@jacquelinesmedley7853]

grave♥

[@SuperLgreer]

Why would you just throw the dirt around rather than put it in a pile to use to refill after repairs

[@sinandtonic2029]

Someone get this man a tissue 😢

[@christianrebatrimeloni269]

Why dont you finish one before you dig up another y

[@Paulie1232]

FYI, YOU'RE GOING TO HEAVEN 😊

[@sharistrazz3313]

Where is this cemetery located? It's sad that the CITY it is in didn't care for the ancestors that probably made that city prosper years ago. 😢

[@jnharton]

Times change and new people take charge. Eventually nobody has a close connection to those burials. While it's commendable to fix broken headstones and keep the environment under control, lots of things probably just go unnoticed in the commotion of everyday life.

[@lauralake7430]

What is curbing in a cemetery?

[@anngallegos5515]

The border that would go around the plot.

[@lauralake7430]

@@anngallegos5515 thanks!

[@OneStrangeJourney]

What was it we wouldn't have believed you would find? Did I miss it?

[@jmsmom67]

It seems kind of weird that you’re just randomly tossing the dirt and grass!

[@dotcassilles1488]

He explained in an earlier video from this series that they are working on so many graves within this abandoned/disused cemetery that he would spend half his day refilling the holes he dug if he stopped to be careful. Once the gravestones are restored they intend to level out the ground and lay grass on it so it will look good once they are all done. Blessings, Dot

[@millennialstonecleaner]

Yup. This. I always use tarps and keep it very tidy but with this situation the entire cemetery would be a big tarp so I opted to be messy at the start and regrade reseed as needed later in the process since the grass would be dead either way.

[@jimsteele7108]

What’s up with the thumbnail?

[@davidhunt706]

I think your preservation effort are to be applauded, however I totally disagree in the way you randomly throw the dirt on on adjoining gravesites, Placing the dirt on a tarp would be much better.

[@jnharton]

You're allowed to have an opinion and feelings. But it is literally just dirt at the end of the day and I assume he would tidy things up in the end. Presumably whoever okay'd the work isn't going to lose their mind.

[@MrPlankinton]

I won't believe what you "Couldn't Find."

[@lorraineforster8164]

A body maybe??

[@user-ob6nx1mm4c]

Why would you make such a mess of the rest of the cemetery throwing dirt all over when you obviously have a deep passion for restoration?🤔

[@completelyswapcolbolt1965]

Yes why spread the dirt put it in a pile so you can put it back again, instead of standing around wondering where all the dirt is.

[@MJB251]

It's nice what you are doing but you have no concern for the cemetery workers. Put your dirt on a tarp and don't fling it in every dieection.

[@judiemartindale9842]

You are making a mess. I know you're doing this for a good reason, but please re move the dirt.

[@jwfinley7808]

Your making a Damn mess! I cant watch anymore

[@williammullikin2076]

grow your beard back

[@Lando_P1]

Shave your beard @williammullikin2076

[@Lucinda_Jackson]

Or you could let him do as he likes with his own face...