Exploring a forgotten cemetery with no name

This week we explore a long forgotten cemetery with no name that sits on a bluff overlooking a beautiful clear river. I was amazed with how big this cemetery was, 40 to 50 grave sites, and yet there is no history to be found except for old topography maps that mark it's location. All of the tombstones have fallen and most have been consumed by nature. Come join me as I explore the forgotten cemetery with no name.

[@YourNextStep1234]

I think some of the "short" markers are actually sunken into the ground. Sure would be great to see this cleaned up. I'll bet it was really pretty 150 years ago, overlooking the river. Great video!

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

I'm sure it was a great view. Thanks for watching!

[@sshumkaer]

whats the process, to buy the land and fix it up? Also there must be an old country map some please they would of showed it and even told of who was in the grave.

[@juliannking7495]

I also looked up Joseph Nelson. It also lists it as Anderson Cemetery. It is also known as Bishop, Barber cemetery. They list 37 interments.

[@bhajandaniel9771]

This cemetery disappearing into the woods is like a poem about time. We could say it's a shame but this cemetery, from another perspective, brings home something very deep, even cosmic. Some may consider me sacrilegious and I mean no disrespect but there's a beauty to this too, a beauty in the way nature is reclaiming everything and taking it all back to herself.

[@tangentradio7272]

Very interesting, thank you.

[@lisabarger574]

How heartbreaking this is to see, the resting place of long gone on beloved ones, to think of the money they had to pay probably being some poorer than others, just heart breaking 😢🌹💕

[@adriankoscielski8484]

wow, great job finding this place! it never fails to amaze me to see how these once well kept places can be completely forgotten.

[@stevefiller4020]

Everything is forgotten with time

[@claudiadesoto2378]

What amazing find, so sad that it’s forgotten. Be safe

[@denisehibbs9576]

Glad you found the cemetery ! Nice find ! I think it was probably flooded . From the looks of it , the markers may not be on the right graves. It would be hard to figure out. So sad !

[@kevinreynolds7068]

Not unusual for cemeteries to be on old plot maps, and later you find no markers and housing sitting in the same location. I have run across this in my family history research. With one of my ancestors an entire town was built over his family cemetery and all that is left is a big marker noting the location. The town did not move the graves. it is really disrespectful. Keep up the good work.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Interesting story. Very disrespectful indeed!

[@Tlyna1952]

I found many such cemeteries over the years and even some old historical cemeteries which are now neglected and even graves of noted historical people left abandoned and falling apart. It is why I refuse to have a burial in the end because why spend so much money when eventually your grave will be either left like this or maybe built over. A simple cremation for me and then scattered in a favorite place instead.

[@lisabarger574]

Do appreciate your video, do hope your able to maybe get it back on the map, and maybe some attendance for fixup🍁🍂🌹💕

[@geomodelinc.3782]

Wonderful Find. The vegetation has to be carefully removed to preserve the ground forensics. The cemetery needs to be fenced off and maintained.

[@ThePhoneymony]

Very interesting

[@andyw6399]

Bring it to the county or town historical societies attention. They can work to get the cemetery recognized and maybe even placed as a historic cemetery with a historical marker along the road. Make sure to wear bright colors when visiting places like that, especially during hunting season.

[@sittinknittin4546]

Came here to say this. Historical society, genealogical group or Eagle scout looking for a project.

[@juliannking7495]

I looked up George Stoner on Find a Grave. They list it as the Anderson Cemetery.

[@Evan747]

Yes, I was able to locate this as well on Fine a Grave. Cemetery ID# 2298004 (Anderson Cemetery Also known as Barber Cemetery , Bishop Cemetery). Great video!

[@dm607]

That small headstone near George was military. I hope something can be done for this place. Thank you from Australia.

[@Greywolfgrafix]

Yes, it appeared to be a Union Civil War monument.

[@lisalarrr]

@@Greywolfgrafix The stone says R. E. Atwood

[@kentuckylady2990]

I noticed that too.

[@ccofnw]

Sorry i know I am very late to the party, so to speak, but I have some thoughts that might be helpful at to the "why everything is sunken or missing". these graves are right next to a river... there is high likelihood that this cemetery has flooded many times over the years. this would explain why things are sunken and moved and in disarray in general. It could also explain why it was forgotten. might have been thought a lost cause to keep it up to good standards if it was being flooded over and over.

[@thomasmint1761]

Very cool

[@chrisiiams4303]

All I can say is WOW, you found it I hope and pray that someone will clean this cemetery up. They are our history

[@kosys5338]

We all think we are so important, Only until we have been long forgotten. We become names and dates on stones until they too fade and vanish away, and evolution marches on like we never existed in the first place.

[@bevwalden623]

Hey kiddo down here in middle Tennessee. There are some folks who clean cemeteries down here and record names and dates .T the courthouse has an office where now there is a record of these forgotten souls I found my great great great grama she was buried 1867

[@thegardenmuse2398]

Reminds me of my grandparents cemetery in Jackson KY. It's high in the mountains surrounded by trees and wild roses. I wouldn't suggest you go unless you have good boots for snakes and ticks.

[@janeblake5083]

What a great glimpse into the past, and thank you for posting this excellent video. It's nice to know that most of the stones have survived the ravages of time and neglect. We're In Grey County, Ontario, and I find old cemeteries fascinating to explore. A few years ago, I noticed a cemetery marked on our family's topographic map, and decided to go and have a look. Although I found the location easily, not one stone remains. I'm not sure if the following story is true, but I was told that a local farmer had taken these stones for the floor of his barn. I find this surprising, and seems that would be tempting fate.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

I have found cemeteries near Chicago were the farmers remove the tombstones and plow right over the cemeteries. It's sad to see. Thanks for watching!

[@redhot7190]

Beautiful! The open spaces are not grass, that's the small Daffadills. A spring bloomer. They take over with time and may be hiding some of the head stones. Or the 200 years of falling leaves.

[@reginamathews2001]

Someone had to vandalize that cemetery. why would almost every one be off it's base.? More stones most likely buried under forest leaves.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

I also found out after I published the video that some of the people and tombstones were moved to other cemeteries. The bases were probably too heavy to move.

[@sshumkaer]

You can tell that it was abandoned long ago, but not so long ago because most of the green is still GREEN GRASS, instead of 500 years of layers of dead leafs with no green

[@PrincessFidelma]

WOW! Absolutely fascinating. It's so lovely that you apologies to the grave resident whenever you knowingly tread on them. It boggles my mind how you can lose a whole graveyard!! and because of that I want to know more about these people, what happened to the town/village they lived in, and how the graveyard became abandoned. I'm imagining a hermit community like in The Village (I'm probably wrong, but it would explain why it wasn't documented anymore???, and became abandoned). The whole place feels like the backstory of a Tim Burton film! Also, you look like my postman, he brings me good things, so 👍

[@user-nq7uk1ys7t]

Just found your channel am very glad I did an going to the county or township is a grand idea. Take the names h have an that is the Anderson cemetery. Maybe get a Marker to it an get if cleaned up. I noticed you said stones where missing alot of the ones you read was on top flat ones .maybe they all where an the writing had wore off

[@deborahsteele9185]

Aww even abandoned by own families so sad 😞

[@sadiebelasco6547]

Very cool video! Thanks for doing it! I'd love to know where you accessed the 1800 topographical maps. I live in northern WI & would love to explore lost places. I know WI had a program (SPRITE?) to clear out abandoned cemeteries. thanks again for your work!

[@warrenmortensen3870]

Looks like my side yard -- all locusts, lilacs & day lilies.

[@sittinknittin4546]

Historical society, genealogical club or Eagle scout looking for a project. Thanks for the explore.

[@luckychocolate1650]

You should go back now.

[@philhart261]

Crying shame someone forgot all about a cemetery. 😪

[@karinpatterson798]

The way markets sunk, I think that place has flooded.

[@tammymilam2428]

Great job

[@whatsthedealwithdanny3913]

Great video, Thanks for sharing

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks for watching!

[@sharongoodsell9341]

I'm Australian, to me its looks like it's never been cared for seeing the oldest one you found was very real

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Welcome!

[@GBH610]

Love to do a spirit box session there

[@junedominguez2549]

Hi, happened to stumble upon your page! Love it! You can maybe do some research and tell a few stories in the places you go but, thank you for sharing this beautiful place(s)

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Welcome and thank you!

[@junedominguez2549]

You are very welcome and I am watching back to back right now because I love your videos! Coming from Tacoma Wa!

[@MLaker221]

6 to 994 subscribers. And from people who actually like this stuff, congrats!

[@seagoingcook]

I realize this is late to the game but have you notified the local town historian? They might be able to garner interest to resurect the cemetery.

[@b0nnierolek642]

People should not be forgotten like that...so sad

[@vcuteman]

Wow so forgotten. Very sad. Keep up the great vids tho. Loving your channel. From the land down under 👍🏻

[@rhondalafleur7326]

LOVE YOUR vlogs

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks!!

[@carylynngrimes5691]

My husband and I are now subscribed and we are neighbors to this location !!

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks for subscribing! Hope you enjoy the channel.

[@MrPearlsareforever]

Hard to believe a graveyard could be so neglected like that its wrong.

[@reginaduncan3714]

The county should go in and clean up , this is hart breaking , the Boy Scouts might it they new about this. 😢

[@debrapower8673]

Please do a follow up on this video.

[@janedixon1047]

Hi! Massive fan over here in Melbourne, Australia. Absolutely love watching your fascinating videos. I’m actually thinking about perhaps doing a similar thing to you over here in Australia. Thanks for your vids. Keep em coming pls. :)

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks!

[@ladyunicorn82]

That would be awesome ive seen some awesome Cementerys in Australia 🇦🇺

[@janedixon1047]

@@ladyunicorn82 thanks! Yes we’ve only just come out of lockdown and cemeteries have been closed so hopefully I can start exploring soon :)

[@ladyunicorn82]

@@janedixon1047 if u manage to start doing it please let me know on thjs comment pretty please 🙏

[@Greywolfgrafix]

If you are ever in Scott County, Missouri, the Miller cemetery is near Blodgett. It's overgrown like this one. My great-great grandfather Samuel Y. Grisham (1832 - 1869) is buried there. But his grave is unmarked. I've been trying to get him a Civil War monument, but keep getting the run around from V.A. He was in D Company, Moreland's Alabama Cavalry Battalion (C.S.A.). He died while visiting his brother Drury. My great-great grandmother Nancy returned to Tishomingo County, Mississippi with their children by 1870.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Awesome...thanks! I will keep this in mind.

[@bobbycarl6061]

I actually found one like this myself now I see their alot more when you start searching

[@scottemery4737]

The Township Trustee or County should be responsible for abandoned cemeteries. But they all have such limited resources, how can they take on more responsibilities without volunteers to help.

[@tonyahaley6900]

I sent the Chamber of Commerce an email about this cemetery.

[@mikehorvath8176]

Wow, so sad that it's been forgotten. Hope some government entity was able to do something 😢

[@ladyunicorn82]

I love videos like this! Its amazing how many forgotten graveyards there are in the woods in the usa 😀

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

It really is and the sad thing is that many of them have had the tombstones removed and they are completely forgotten.

[@user-yx9bs8zo5q]

So many where I live. Old family plots on farms. Usually on flats above the homesites overtaken by the forest. Times change and families leave

[@user-yx9bs8zo5q]

@@MiddleAgedBaldGuy I bet many have fallen and are now under a layer of soil. Doubtful on removal.

[@belindakennedy5828]

There was a voice when you where on about the bees.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll have to check it out!

[@sandrawooten9477]

New viewer, like your videos. Hope your chanel grows

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Welcome! Hope you enjoy the channel.

[@Johnny-xw7mf]

No respect for the dead boy!!! The world we live in today so sad 😞

[@sporesgonewild]

What road is this off of. I'm in Grundy as well

[@kristinesevilla4517]

It's so sad that no one has taken care of it

[@Psychocute86]

What state are the cemeteries in? Plz contact the state or county with the location of this so it can be documented and cleaned up if possible

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

This is in Illinois. I let the county historical society know about the condition. They know all the right contacts.

[@Carriedaway-t8c]

How sad about the forgotten souls here!

[@ameliarhodes5000]

I had to subscribe for the name of your channel alone! I love honesty. Then I heard a Chicago style way of speaking and that you were doing an abandoned cemetery near the Chicago area. What's not to love? Maybe check out what we in the neighborhood called "The Lost Cemetery." (It's on the Northside, fairly safe neighborhood.) It was next to Labaugh Woods along the train tracks. More recently a good deal of the land was sold off. They claim to have moved the bodies. I DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. And there are STILL headstone to be found there today, in the woods behind the houses they build over the graves that are still there. You can park in Lil Labaugh Woods or the main parking, both parks are along Foster Ave, if you want a good place to park. The entrance to the larger picnic area and parking is off Cicero Ave. Or you can drive West on W. Bryn Mawr Ave along the North edge of Bohemian Cemetery. You'll reach a bike trail that use to be train tracks The Sauganash Trail Bike Path. You past a subdivision on your left, that was part of "The Lost" Cemetery and still is! If you walk south on the bike trail toward Labaugh Woods on your left is the Lost Cemetery. The headstones are still there. The bodies are still there.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks for subscribing! I'll have to check out the cemetery you're talking about.

[@sallyscott9172]

I was watching another graveyard tour type channel; someone actually bought a lot, they thought it was a house...it was actually a rotting mausoleum and graveyard. Can you imagine? PS. Old age is NOT that rare. I have many 90+ year olds in my family.

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Wow, that would be a surprise for sure!

[@Chuthermucker]

That was Lamont at Large. Very weird episode for sure.

[@sallyscott9172]

@@Chuthermucker ..I didn't say his channel name because he's so odd.

[@user-jv8ht9wg9r]

and not a very nice person unfortunately@@sallyscott9172

[@phillipmontano7664]

It's a shame what has become of this cemetary its not even on Google earth its like doesn't even exist just abandoned 😔😞I'm sure there's people who live there that know it exists

[@TheBeachedone]

Maybe the cemetery was destroyed by repeated river flooding over the centuries ?

[@kentuckylady2990]

One first tombstones was military. He has probably never had a flag placed on his grave honoring his service.

[@ladyunicorn82]

New sub here all the way from the rock of gibraltar 🇬🇮

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Welcome!

[@DennisFreitas-bn7nh]

The futures haunted homes 🤔

[@HoundTor]

Interesting, especially when one considers how many of the original tombstones seem to have been replaced with more modern markers at some point. The way in which the stones have been removed from their bases seems deliberate - an act to render them less hazardous. The plots with no stones may be now empty, with the human remains being disinterred for burial elsewhere. My conclusion is that this cemetery was deliberately abandoned in an orderly fashion sometime in the 1990s at the latest. But this could be complete conjecture…

[@jjhyde5179]

Have you looked for brook side cemetery or old mason cemetery which crosses the southold maZon rd and mazon river (creek)

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

I haven't looked for that one yet. I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

[@sandrawooten9477]

I too wonder why all of these markers have fallen over

[@ZDD760]

Who owns the land? City, State, County, private?

[@larrygribaudo1092]

All the people in the graves have one great thing in common, they are all waiting for the resurrection. If you could talk to any of the dead, they would probably say it seems like they died yesterday.

[@Rosa-bg5cb]

Pls don't get lost mister

[@tobysirus4996]

Its sad how these pioneers are now left to the elements and vegetation.The damage there is most likely vandalism. I hope those that did this are now old enough to see the stupidity of their deeds now that their time in the box is closer at hand !

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

I found so many cemeteries that are neglected. Some I can't even get to because of the vegetation.

[@leannahigenbottom7614]

Hey guy hope all is good bless you already for scared it is shameful if I was doing something like I would call the cops turn the people in who it belongs to. God bless you.

[@shytiger480]

Can’t the local church point you in right direction as to whom to contact regarding this cemetery

[@thomasmint1761]

There are clearly paths through the grounds, likely what the dead use when they trod across their resting place.

[@tinachildress6908]

is this along the Mazon river or Waupecan River?? and is it west of Mazon? would you be willing to tell me what road this is on?

[@littledewdrinker]

He did state Mazon river.

[@RobertRobinson-dy3rj]

Bring a weed Wacker with you 💀

[@erickrohn2970]

Theres a lot of forgotten cemeteries. Its just how it goes. Think about where are these peoples generation before them. Like there fathers and Mothers and grandparents and so on. After a few generations alot of family is forgotten. I mean how far back do you know of your own families grave sites I only know up to Great grandparents. Im sure if I really look into it that I may be able to find and locate great great grandparents but who knows.

[@tammymilam2428]

Very sad

[@shawnmurray6701]

where?

[@Rampant_Colt]

where is this cemetery located? Those are some old graves!

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

It's a couple miles west of Mazon, IL along the Waupecan Creek.

[@KellyCrawford01]

Anderson Cemetery Also known as Barber or Bishop cemetery. Located on private property south of Waupecan Rd. in Section 13, Vienna twp., Grundy Co., IL.

[@edh533]

@@MiddleAgedBaldGuy Hey I also looked up a name or two from these stones and the interments are listed at this cemetery on Find a Grave..... I took some still shots of the stones from this video and uploaded them to memorials. The Civil War Veteran towards the beginning has a nice Find a Grave memorial page.

[@Elysian777]

You should at least put this place on Find-a-grave with whatever people you can find- like George Stoner.

[@robertrogers8354]

Second stone is a civil war soldier....put a flag near it! 3rd small stone is a very young child died at birth!

[@MarilynR-xu3nq]

It's called stoner cemetery

[@edwam0109]

11

[@geomodelinc.3782]

Wonderful find. The vegetation needs to be carefully cleared without disturbing the ground. Ground Forensics are crucial in interpreting each headstone and grave site.

[@lukeyznaga7627]

I agree with others. In Europe, cemeteries are respectrd. Not here. Shameful how many small graveyards have been forgot. Maybe also shameful that their offspring and grandkids forgot about them. I subscribed

[@MiddleAgedBaldGuy]

Thanks for subscribing! Hope you enjoy the channel.

[@monicapushkin3274]

That's not much of a river, doesn't even appear to be flowing, more like a linear swamp!

[@nancylowery4504]

Hear that slot from these shows I forgot my flashlight! So stupid if your grave hunting and a brush??????

[@shashirampukar8287]

Sad I rather be cremated

[@nancylowery4504]

You kinda not good at this,going back to sidesteps!

[@sherryjohnson2369]

He's just new at this, cut him some slack. I love sidestep adventures too but he's been doing it a lot longer.