I’ve had cemeteries on my mind lately. By the end of the month, you probably will, too.
With Memorial Day just over three weeks away, I’ve noticed some interesting cemetery-related blog posts recently. Time to share.
The first to catch my eye via the Cedar Rapids Gazette was the discovery of a long-lost tombstone a full state away. Julie Bissell Tupker of Marion, Iowa, had been unsuccessfully searching for information about relatives of her great-grandfather, Richard P. Bissell, for some time. In Joliet, Ill., Gina Wysocki had been searching for a long-lost cemetery.
Wysocki’s quest was fulfilled in March 2008 when workers installing a playground in Joliet, Ill., dug up a pair of old tombstones. One belonged to Jenete Bissell, Richard’s sister, who died at less than 2 years on March 2, 1852, during a cholera outbreak. An Internet search eventually connected the two and Jenette’s tombstone is headed to Iowa.
The second post to get my attention came from The Wandering Genealogist, who wrote about the “family history researcher who has helped get the grave of a murdered policeman restored, 140 years ago today. The twist to the story is that it was her 3x great uncle William Pullin who was responsible for the murder. “
Many early Americans were buried in family plots on farms rather than in more-organized church or town cemeteries. Fortunately, this site lets you search for family cemeteries by surname. If you’re doing any cemetery research as part of your family history project, here are some tips to make your excursion more fruitful.
Writing prompt of the day: Do you know where your relatives are buried? Have you written this information down for future generations?
Larry Lehmer is a personal historian who helps people preserve their family histories. To learn more, visit his web site, send him an e-mail or follow him on Twitter.
Photo: Leo Kastl grave marker, Omaha, Neb. (L.W. Lehmer collection)
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