Finding Ancestors' Stories at Cemeteries

[@jacquelinebates5650]

Fascinating episode. Thank you. I have always loved looking through old cemeteries, even when I was a child.

[@GenealogyGems]

Me too!

[@kristendansby6924]

I have family buried at the Oak Hill cemetery your guest was speaking about. She just made me so excited! Kris

[@GenealogyGems]

How cool!

[@Kelly-uv9rh]

I loved your story about parking right next to the Burkets! I had something similar happen to me. I'd been to the Goodwill in my hometown several times before I noticed a tiny cemetery in between its parking lot and the CVS next door. There were about 20 memorials...and two of them happened to be my 5th-great-grandparents, who I thought had lived two counties north! Also, some tips for calling cemeteries (I work at one). Depending on how detailed their records are, they may have the names of who originally purchased the plots. Some cemeteries may be able/willing to give you this information (especially if the purchase happened a long time ago), which can help you find additional family members, especially when it comes to finding out women's maiden names! Sometimes a man and his wife would be buried on her family's lot, but if you don't know her maiden name, you might just think they're strangers buried nearby. Some cemeteries might hesitate to answer outright regarding lot owners, but you could also word your inquiry as "Do there appear to be any other family members buried in that lot or the surrounding lots?" You might also ask if the cemetery recorded what funeral home the family of the deceased worked with. Some funeral homes will help you in your inquiries, or if you are trying to determine if two people with the same surname are related, determining that they used the same funeral home may support your case. Religious cemeteries may also record what church a person belonged to, or where their memorial service was held, and if your ancestor was Catholic, finding their parish can be of immense benefit, because you can then contact the archdiocesan archive.

[@bakerwannabe4435]

Great ideas!

[@jngado]

Loved the video of your daughter in the cemetery help you. My daughters are 6 and 4. The 6 year old isn't always a fan of visiting so many cemeteries but my 4 year old enjoys fixing the flags. Great video! Thanks!

[@GenealogyGems]

Thank you!!

[@cadencechrome4783]

I carry my cemetery tote in the trunk: 2 cameras, picnic supplies, plastic scraper, edging shovel, hand pruners, buckets, brushes soft enough for your face, rake, garbage bags, sunscreen and hat. Lots of water. I also have my list of photo requests from Find a Grave.. the list gets added to each time I go.

[@carylosborn1808]

I attended Joys class on Victorian Celebrations of Death at RootsTech. Was able to speak with her and her mother in law who were both delightful! I’m so sorry to hear of her passing. I visited the Reformed Christ Church cemetery in Middletown, MD. Every time I turned around there were more of my ancestors. Felt like the entire cemetery was my family burial ground!

[@marcybelles62]

wished I had remembered to look for cemeteries when I was in Grafton, WI as a couple of my GGFs siblings would have been buried there. I visited several cemeteries in Pike Co KY back in 1980 - need to go back. I have family buried in several cemeteries in Lewis Co, WA as well. Try to visit those on a regular basis.

[@bakerwannabe4435]

This was informative and fun to watch. Thank you.

[@GenealogyGems]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@karenredbaron]

"...the old-fashioned digital camera..." LOL XD

[@rucksackzen]

Here in NYC I have encountered several scenarios, including: some cemeteries don’t allow photography - they charge for plot photos; some charge (as much as $175) for genealogical research and records; and some don’t release any documents for viewing, copying or public use - they only transcribe.

[@roadtripslifeandredox]

Love this edition. Fun that we attended a Calvery Cemetery meeting and Lisa showed Joy's book as a recommendation. Caught my attention when mentioning Illinois and Indiana since relates to brick walls I'm having for Bumgardner and Lewis lineage and then mention Beadle and since Beadles is my maiden name had to listen to this episode 2 times lol.

[@blatham3566]

I really look forward to Genealogy Gems every week. I'm sitting here with my cup of Starbucks while I anticipate another informative broadcast. Thank you, Lisa for all that you do!!

[@GenealogyGems]

Thank you! The kettle is whistling so it's just about time around here. Thanks for commenting!

[@Vicky-bw3zb]

This was a wonderful show! Lots of interesting stories...thank you to your guest speaker, Joy for her story about my 3rd cousin, Dr Ephraim McDowell.

[@GenealogyGems]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting! See you next week.

[@DONUTDONUT12]

i'm trying find what high school my ancestors went to and its hard to find. you think you can make a video on that topic.

[@cindysuda8357]

Good Morn from Southern Oregon! Heading to our family cemetery today!

[@feltig]

What avenues do I have when trying to get info from the cemetery. I have talked to them and they shared great info, but when asked if they would have paperwork to give more info ( 3 headstones of a 5 plot purchased by an unknown Hawk) I was told that that info is kept in what she calls the “dungeon” and doesn’t like to go in there. There has to be a wealth of info as 1 of the 5 has our surname, but no one knows him nor can we find him in genealogy sites. How would you proceed, if I can ask for your advice. TIA

[@GenealogyGems]

I can sympathize with your challenge. Considering the time and inconvenience a trip to the "dungeon" takes, I would consider what I would be willing to financially compensate them for their efforts. This is not uncommon when making requests with churches, archives, and societies. Good luck!

[@karmagal78]

A biological cleaner that is recommended by the military and most headstone cleaners is D2. It continues to work after you’ve finished cleaning the stone. I’ve used it on several of the stones of my family graves (if they’re related to you, you don’t need the permission of the cemetery. If they’re not related to you, you need permission from either the cemetery or the family of the person).

[@karmagal78]

My great great grandmother’s grave is difficult to find. No stone. Her name is under Mrs George Buchel. The sections are also not exactly clearly marked (and hers is in one of the oldest sections). My great great grandfather, we still have absolutely no idea where he’s buried. He was married 3 times (great great grandma was the 1st). His 2nd is buried in the next state over with her parents and his 3rd wife is buried in the town that they both passed away in, however, that cemetery lost most of its records due to a fire and hers is the only name listed on their map of the plots. He was originally from France, but no refrigeration was purchased, instead there was a casket robe and a horse drawn hearse in the invoice, so we know that he’s buried locally.

[@karmagal78]

Just heard the part where you’re talking about cemeteries that are on farms. Should look to see what Iowa’s laws are because the farmer (who apparently is a relation to those in the cemetery) doesn’t take care of it nor does he seem to care as he lets his cows lose on the land where the cemetery is (he tore down a section of the fence for them and most of the stones are highly damaged). My ancestors are also in that family cemetery.

[@debbiwigen-noble7207]

Q: I was told by findagrave person that miner's graves were typically only marked by a metal marker w/ number (as was my g-gpa's) - was this typical, due to funds maybe?

[@debbiwigen-noble7207]

He's buried in St Patrick's cemetery in Butte, Silver Bow, Montana

[@GenealogyGems]

I've not heard that before, but it sounds plausible. Perhaps someone from the area's historical or genealogical society can help shed light on that. Thanks for watching!

[@morganmckibbon4241]

My great grandfather, Hugh James Mallon, was a miner in West Virginia. He died in a mine collapse. He has a fairly large headstone, though. I have other relatives who were also miners and none have the metal marker. Maybe it was a practice for immigrant miners who didn’t have any family. In the censuses I’ve seen quite a few from Mexico and other countries who likely didn’t have family members in the US with them.

[@familyhistorytips]

Interesting to hear the story of the dog at the graveside, it's very similar to the Scottish story of Greyfriars Bobby which has been made into a book and film. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyfriars_Bobby

[@GenealogyGems]

I love that movie!

[@holdmyhand9573]

Anybody know how I can claim a cemetery plot that was bought for me by my dad. He passed away in 2018 and the church, and the country cemetery sexton, say they have no record of my dads purchase... and I have no proof other than the remembrance of my dad saying he bought this..