GRAVEN IMAGES AND ICONS Cemeteries and grave markers are big business. The stonemason and the sculptor have had plenty of work over the centuries because of the dead. In some cases, two or more generations of a single family carried on the business. They developed their own stone shapes and carving styles, but the use of graven images became something of a standard. As you roam through a cemetery, you are likely to see the same image again and again. The survivors erected markers to commemorate the dead and used icons to communicate something about the deceased. Do you know what some of these icons represent? Let's examine some common ones. A weeping willow tree indicates mourning or natural grief. Clasped hands signify farewells said at death, while a hand pointing upward indicates the pathway to heavenly reward. An urn represents immortality, just as the Egyptians believed that removing and enclosing the viscera in canopic jars preserved the deceased's vitality for eternity. An angel blowing a trumpet indicates resurrection, as does a flying dove. Wheat sheaves represent the divine harvest, and a wreath signifies victory over death. Statuary in cemetery is common. The Victorians adored their children, and the death of a child was considered a catastrophic tragedy. While a status of an urn draped with a drape or shawl indicates deep mourning or sadness for an adult, there are examples of children's statuary. Some of these include: the lamb, a figure signifying purity; a small chair or cradle, representing the emptiness caused by young loss; a doll, a rattle or other toy, indicating the premature end of childhood; a sleeping baby, picturing the eternal rest for an infant; praying hands, signifying the hope that the child is now in God's care. While some of these images may seem self-explanatory, others may be more cryptic. Flowers represent the fragility of life and plucked flowers indicate the early severance of a life in bloom. A lion is indicative of courage and an arrow represents mortality. A snake with its tail in its mouth indicates everlasting life in heaven, while a coiled snake indicates sin. Roosters are common in some cemeteries, representing resurrection. The pelican represents redemption through Christ, while ants indicate Christian industriousness. Scales are indicative of the weighing of justice for the judgment of the dead. Sometimes there will be Latin phrases carved on stones. "Memento mori" means "remember death." "Tempus erat" means "time is gone." There are many other such phrases that can be interpreted with a simple Latin dictionary. USING ICONOGRAPHY IN RESEARCH Remember that the icons were used for a reason. They were sometimes selected in advance of death by the person whose grave the stone was to adorn. Usually, however, they were chosen by the surviving family. These carved icons or statuary, taken with epitaphs, scripture, and other carvings, can often provide another insight into the nature of the person and/or his family. There are some excellent Web sites you may use for your reference. The Olive Tree's "Graven Image" site can be found at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/grave.htm There is also a site there called "Grave Symbols" at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/grave_initials.htm which contains abbreviations found on gravestones indicating membership in an organization. Another site that contains symbols of various beliefs can be found at: http://www.cem.va.gov/hmemb.htm The Association for Gravestone Studies has a Web site at http://apocalypse.berkshire.net/ags/ The site contains a good collection of links to cemetery-related materials, but their publications in their online book store and gift shop are excellent. These include some kit collections of very informative leaflets at a good price and the best selection of cemetery reference books in one place on the Internet. Think about the graven images on the tombs and gravestones the next time you visit an old cemetery. Understanding the graphics and icons can help you read between the lines and perhaps learn more about the natures of the people interred there. It adds another dimension to your research and enjoyment there in the cemetery.

Hi, again, to all researching in Jefferson County, Missouri! I have uploaded the surnames beginning with "N" today, as well as a new issue of "Charlotte's Corner", with newspaper articles from the Jefferson Watchman from May of 1884. Please check it out when you get a chance! I hope to also get the "O"s online this evening. Patty Frazer County Coordinator Jefferson County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mojeffer/index.html MOJEFFER-L List Owner Personal Home Page http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~pfrazer/index.html

I know what you mean. Web pages are tricky. Usually you get to set up a free Web page with whomever you have your net service with. Then you "design" it and put anything you want on it. You can stick in photos or typed material by using a scanner or photo disk. But try to get techinal help from your net service provider or computer experts. That's not me. I still have not set up one either. good luck Nancy -----Original Message----- From: Marennad@aol.com <Marennad@aol.com> To: ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com <ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Sunday, July 25, 1999 12:58 PM Subject: Re: Completed genealogy almost >Web page??? Have no idea how to do that. Any information would be >appreciated. > >

Would you be so kind to look up a relatives marriage for me? POWERS, WALTER m. ELLEN McCARTHY abt. 1871 Janet Giessman e mail at: jmgiess@gate.net

In a message dated 7/25/99 1:58:50 PM Atlantic Daylight Time, Marennad@aol.com writes: << Web page??? Have no idea how to do that. Any information would be appreciated. >> AOL provides a free web page for each member. Go to Keyword - web page and it will tell you all about it. Hope this helps. Carol

Web page??? Have no idea how to do that. Any information would be appreciated.

Just running my Madison County surnames by this group again: FISCHER (Fritz, Frederick, Philip, Wilhelm, William Joseph), GOTTLOB(Amelia or Malchen, Fritz), DIETZ, KEISER (Harm/Hiram, Ira, Mary Elizabeth, Allen, Irving, Harriett), ALLEN (Margaret, James, Thomas); dates are roughly 1845-1890. Cafi Fischer Cohen Arroyo Grande, CA

Hi to all! Well, for those of you with an interest in Jefferson County, Missouri, I have finally gotten the surnames beginning with "M" posted on the website. Now....on to the "N"s. Patty Frazer County Coordinator Jefferson County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mojeffer/index.html MOJEFFER-L List Owner Personal Home Page http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~pfrazer/index.html

I checked my IL State Genealogical CD for Marriages up to 1900. Did not find a marraige for Jacob & Barbara or Jacob & Fannie. Maybe someone has the marriage books for Madison County and can check.

I am quoting a letter below that was written by my great-grandfather, Raphael BURKHART, 1312 N. 13th Street, St. Louis, on 6 Dec 1906 and sent to his niece, Mrs. Mary BALLWEG (born Mary BURKHART, daughter of Meinrad BURKHART) of Citronelle, Alabama. I have quoted it exactly as it was written (misspellings and all). In the letter are a few names that someone might be researching. Raphael was born in Jechtingen, Baden, Germany and emigrated to the United States around 1850. He lived in Edwardsville, Madison Co., IL, married Helene HEBERER, and eventually moved to St. Louis with his family. "Dear Niece it is a long time I heared of you therefore I sent to I don't know wheter you are among the liven you Cousin Louise ask for your address wich I gave he, you owe me a letter I am sure of that, and I hope you will answer this The weather is unpleasante and ugly wed and unhealthy. I wish I was wealthy anuf I would be every winter in some southern part this 5th of October I was 70. I am getting old and weak, the name of Louisa above is Louisa Knoll, her Mother name is Paulina your first Cousin, they aint much changes here in the dayly doings, Mr. Bonifacius Gass died he use to stay with Mrs Schott married the mrs schaeller of Edwardsville I would like to hear of you if possible of your family how you injoy your live and how does the church and your holy Creed get tending. I have not seen Frank your Brother for about a year, Henry Bauer under went a fatal Operation got allright, Joseph Bauer, and Albertina Bauer died with the Consumption, one of the Hellrung girl is going to be a Sister, we are all pretty fair so far as the age allow now we wish all merry Xmas and a happy New Year the best Greeting to you and husband, and family yours Truly Uncle & Aunt Lena R. Burkhart" Marilyn Lane Mountain View, CA Researching the following names with Madison County connections: BURKHART, BAUER, KROMER and HEBERER.

Looking for the possible marriage of a Blanche Thompson Carr and Elmer Porter between 1900 and 1922. Blanche died in 1922. Marriage could have been in Alton or St. Louis. But can't find St. Louis records.

Looking for information on the possible marriage of - Jacob BECKER & Barbara MILLER mid 1870's - Madison Co., IL son Harry b. abt. 1878 1880 Edwardsville census shows Jacob, Harry & wife Fannie (LASATER) BECKER What happened to Barbara? Did she die & if so where is she buried? Sue

Illinois terminal is a railroad and the fireman's helper was probably the person who tended the coal. The old terminal was on college avenue Alton.

Hi Mary, My ggggrandmother was Phillipine (Schroeder) Mersinger. According to family stories she was a princess in Germany but came to America to escape the revolutions. Any family history linked to this Schroeder? Nancy B. -----Original Message----- From: Mary K Huhman <m.huhman@juno.com> To: ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com <ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, July 22, 1999 11:52 PM Subject: Unsubscribe >Unsubscribe >temp. > Moving. See ya in about three weeks. >Mary >Searching: DAVIES/ ANDERTON/ REEVE/ HOLCROFT, Eng./Nebr,USA >HUHMAN & EICKHOFF, Mo./Ne. >YAGER--SCHROEDER--KOLL & MARTENS Germ/ Ia./ Ne. >MOON--KOCH--KUHN--LICHTY Oh. HENRY,John, Oh/Ia >SLOCUM-WILLIAMS-WHITMORE-BELDEN. R.I./Ne./Va/Ct. > > >==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== >Visit the Madison County Home Page! >http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilmadiso/index.htm >Search the Rootsweb Resources Page for Madison County! >Includes several Madison Co search engines! >http://resources.rootsweb.com/USA/IL/Madison/ > >

Unsubscribe temp. Moving. See ya in about three weeks. Mary Searching: DAVIES/ ANDERTON/ REEVE/ HOLCROFT, Eng./Nebr,USA HUHMAN & EICKHOFF, Mo./Ne. YAGER--SCHROEDER--KOLL & MARTENS Germ/ Ia./ Ne. MOON--KOCH--KUHN--LICHTY Oh. HENRY,John, Oh/Ia SLOCUM-WILLIAMS-WHITMORE-BELDEN. R.I./Ne./Va/Ct.

Hay Dottie!!!!! I found all that "stuff" for you on the cemetery near Moro and your never replyed. It is only hours away from "delete". RB Dotte Schneider wrote: > In regard to collected family history. I have found in many years of research, > that local libraries and historical societies are usually glad to have copies of > books of family history - having to do with people that lived in their counties > or adjoining counties. At least that has been my experience. This is especially > true in those libraries that have good genealogy secitons. > > Marennad@aol.com wrote: > > > A couple of weeks ago I heard from a lady who had picked up my email address > > from some where on the "net". Anyway she had a gggrandfather who was brother > > of mine - so we have combined and now we have a lot. Do not know what to do > > with this? Where does this go? Would this be something that the Madison > > County one would want? This family starts in Hamil & Alhambra and moves > > toward Troy, St Jacob, and Collinsville. I really do not want to fuss with > > the LDS right now, just want it to go somewhere local so future generations > > in that area will be able to get their hands on it. Advice and thoughts > > please. > > Researching Isenberg, Opell, Assaucer, & Heck. > > > > ==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== > > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received > > when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Yvonne James-Henderson, > > list administrator with questions concerning this list! > > mailto:hen1@idt.net > > ==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received > when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Yvonne James-Henderson, > list administrator with questions concerning this list! > mailto:hen1@idt.net

To Marennad, I would certainly send the info to Edwardsville Library., I just returned from a trip there and located tons of info for the research I'm doing. It was great to have a place like that to go to . There is a whole room dedicated to geneology research, and everybody goes there. Nancy -----Original Message----- From: Marennad@aol.com <Marennad@aol.com> To: ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com <ILMADISO-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, July 22, 1999 12:53 PM Subject: Completed genealogy almost >A couple of weeks ago I heard from a lady who had picked up my email address >from some where on the "net". Anyway she had a gggrandfather who was brother >of mine - so we have combined and now we have a lot. Do not know what to do >with this? Where does this go? Would this be something that the Madison >County one would want? This family starts in Hamil & Alhambra and moves >toward Troy, St Jacob, and Collinsville. I really do not want to fuss with >the LDS right now, just want it to go somewhere local so future generations >in that area will be able to get their hands on it. Advice and thoughts >please. >Researching Isenberg, Opell, Assaucer, & Heck. > > >==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received >when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Yvonne James-Henderson, >list administrator with questions concerning this list! >mailto:hen1@idt.net > >

In regard to collected family history. I have found in many years of research, that local libraries and historical societies are usually glad to have copies of books of family history - having to do with people that lived in their counties or adjoining counties. At least that has been my experience. This is especially true in those libraries that have good genealogy secitons. Marennad@aol.com wrote: > A couple of weeks ago I heard from a lady who had picked up my email address > from some where on the "net". Anyway she had a gggrandfather who was brother > of mine - so we have combined and now we have a lot. Do not know what to do > with this? Where does this go? Would this be something that the Madison > County one would want? This family starts in Hamil & Alhambra and moves > toward Troy, St Jacob, and Collinsville. I really do not want to fuss with > the LDS right now, just want it to go somewhere local so future generations > in that area will be able to get their hands on it. Advice and thoughts > please. > Researching Isenberg, Opell, Assaucer, & Heck. > > ==== ILMADISO Mailing List ==== > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received > when you subscribed. Feel free to contact Yvonne James-Henderson, > list administrator with questions concerning this list! > mailto:hen1@idt.net

In a message dated 7/22/99 1:53:18 PM Atlantic Daylight Time, Marennad@aol.com writes: << Do not know what to do with this? Where does this go? Would this be something that the Madison County one would want? >> Why not put up a web page? Carol

Send it to the Madison County Genealogy Society, P O Box 631, Edwardsville, IL 62025. They will be happy to put it in their "family files" for future use.