Margie, I myself have talked to several people that have family buried in these small family cemeteries, I know that on at least 2 occassions I have heard these words "yeah, that cemetery is back in them woods over yonder, but it aint in good shape since Granddaddy passed away, he's buried up there too! Also, this is some located on the map,and some that are not,old family,forgotten cemeteries I have been to.Over half of them still have family living and very close I might add: 38 that are horrible, over half of them have family and of age to clean them, maybe they just weren't taken to the cemeteries at a young age through the years and shown the importance of the upkeep that should be done to them as I was, but whatever the reason I feel from my discussions with them, there is just no interest whatsoever because they are dead and gone. If anyone feels I am wrong on this, then start going to the woods to these old cemeteries,then go to the houses around them,mainly to the nearest house, then you will find out I am right.Some you go to an elder will come to the door, but then in and out are the grandkids, or kids that could do it for them. I work full time moving mobile homes, I have two children ages 12 and 18 I have a home to keep up.I have my family graves to keep up,I have things I like to do such as go to the movies on the weekend with my 12yr.old,searching for cemeteries after work with her or Sabrina everyday of the week till dark, and this is what I have gotten done, so no one can say they dont have time(Although I agree it should not come between family time, especially if they are not interested in it). The Tucker cemetery:All trees cut down that need to be out, leaving an open area for me to replace the fence and put the signs up as soon as the ancestors let me know exactly what they want on it).The live in other states and have searched for this cemetery for years,so they have made many attempts to find this one and do the upkeep on it,this being two different ancestors of two different Tucker brothers. Sandy Point cemetery: Went in and stood two buried stones back up, one that can be read, one that you can only see the word Sarah on,but oh well, maybe someone will come along and know her.Along with many of the Harrisons in it that have stones that have replaced the old wooden markers in it. I also got in touch with someone that will help me fix up the Danner cemetery. Along with that, I am compiling a map book of all the little cemeteries I have been to and their exact locations. Also a headstone photo book consisting of ever headstone in Barbour which is now approx.10 inches thick.With over 85 cemeteries in it so far. A historical marker book with photos of what the markers are pertaining to. So, as for time, it only takes an hour out of a day to do some of the things I have mentioned. If anyone sees a small cemetery stop, pick up something that dont belong in it, throw it over the fence, or pick up a marker and at least prop it up on a rock or something so it doesn't get buried in the earth. If you live out of town call people up that you know could go to these cemeteries, or any cemetery , it doesnt have to be your family,just any family,and say hey, how bout checking on it for me,see how it looks and do a bit of weedeating while your there,that would help a great deal. Well, maybe this is too long and too boring, but I had to get my two cents in. Thanks, Bonnie Tharpe >From: "M. Daniels" <margie@majorinternet.com> >Reply-To: ALBARBOU-L@rootsweb.com >To: ALBARBOU-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: [ALBARBOU] Cemetery Preservation >Date: Wed, 26 Jul 2000 01:11:32 -0500 > >Well now, > >I live in Memphis Tennessee and you are in Chicago. I travel to Barbour >County at least 4 times a year and have relatives that live there and I >got involved with this HOT new genealogy thing 26 years ago. > >I have to disagree with you. There is not only a big problem in Barbour >County but other counties and states as well. > >You are right in the fact that the land was bought but wrong in the fact >that there are no descendents that care the fact is that many descendents >cannot find the cemeteries because they are now on private property, over >grown and cannot be located. YOU would think that the person owning the >land would have enough respect for those that had gone before him to at >least cut the grass, since they knew the cemetery was on the property when >they bought it. What about those cemeteries now on Meade one of the >biggest paper manufacturers in the world. Some are even behind locked >gates >so there is no access for family. > >I have to disagree with you there are many, many cemeteries in this >condition. >I am still trying to find where my Glover family is buried they were among >the first settlers to come to Barbour County. > >Besides all of that if it were one cemetery it is one too many. > >Some of these cemeteries are so bad that I would not dare go there in the >summer, too snaky, will only attempt it in the winter. My cousin was snake >bite cleaning an old cemetery. > >Margie >CC Barbour County > > > > >----- Original Message ----- >From: <cfurth@ibm.com> >To: <ALBARBOU-L@rootsweb.com> >Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2000 9:56 PM >Subject: [ALBARBOU] Cemetery Preservation > > > > > > I have read the conversation about the cemeteries in Barbour Co with > > interest. I don't think the problem of untended cemeteries is as > > widespread as the picture that is being painted. > > The people who live in Barbour County are generally attentive to > > the cemeteries in which their relatives are buried. The cemeteries > > associated with active churches are well tended by church members. > > In smaller churches, everyone helps unless they are physically unable. > > The larger cemeteries (& many smaller ones) have committees - people > > from the associated church, supported by public donations, who care > > for them. Periodically, you will see a notice in the Barbour > > newspapers reminding people to send in their donations. I also know > > of family cemeteries on private property that are being well > > maintained by descendants today. > > The problems occur with small family cemeteries where there are > > no family members living nearby to provide care and with the > > cemeteries associated with a church which is no longer active. The > > number of family cemeteries on private property increased as land was > > sold out of the family. As roads and transportation improved during > > the 1900s, the number of inactive churches increased with people > > moving memberships to the larger churches. In some cases these > > cemeteries became overgrown because there were no descendants who even > > knew of their existence until genealogy became a hot hobby. > > Care of these specific untended cemeteries is a real problem, > > primarily because there is no one to assume the responsibility there. > > It seems to me that would be a good project for a genealogical society > > to oversee. Clearly, the responsibility will be more effective if it > > is assumed by an organization that will exist 25,...100 years from > > now. > > Claire > > Chicago > > > > > > ==== ALBARBOU Mailing List ==== > > Got a complaint, contact me not the list margie@majorinternet.com > > > > > > >==== ALBARBOU Mailing List ==== >The Barbour County mail list a place where Barbour researchers have become >friends in research across the miles. > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com