Ernie wrote: "Since his family has owned the land for 125 years, can he rename the cemetery and declare it as his final resting place? There is no official law on naming a cemetery. Unfortunately, people rename them to suit their needs." Ernie, A family tried to rename a pioneer cemetery in Hancock Co. after they decided they wanted to be buried in it (and were allowed to do so). It caused a big stink with Arnett family descendants - Arnett being the original name of the cemetery. It was finally agreed upon that the cemetery will finally be known as The Arnett-Lowder Cemetery. I hate it when people decide to change history to fit their egos. Have you looked at the old plat maps/atlases that show the cemetery and the cemetery's name? If you show them PROOF of the cemetery's real name, it should stay the same. You also might want to mention that it will be difficult for genealogists, family members and descendants to find the cemetery if the cemetery's name is changed; and ask the questions "What right does this gentleman have to rename a cemetery just because his family owned the ground where the cemetery is located? What right does he have to change history?" Good luck! I would like to know how this works out. Angela Tielking

When researching some family cemeteries, I was surprised to learn that cemeteries in Iowa were not allowed to use family surnames as the cemetery name after about 1945. So, what was used to be "Schwenneker Cemetery" is now (officially) called "Pleasant Hill Cemetery." (I should point out that Schwenneker is a "modern" cemetery, with the first burials not starting until the 1870's, so I am not sure whether pioneer cemeteries in Iowa were exempted. I have not been able to find the statute yet to check.) Can't help but wonder if this change was made because of problems like those being discussed here (egos, property ownership, etc.)? John Boggess Tippecanoe Co. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angela" <atielking@insightbb.com> To: <INPCRP-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 10:33 PM Subject: [INPCRP] Renaming a cemetery > Ernie wrote: "Since his family has owned the land for 125 years, can he > rename the cemetery and declare it as his final resting place? There is > no > official law on naming a cemetery. Unfortunately, people rename them to > suit their needs." > > > > Ernie, > > A family tried to rename a pioneer cemetery in Hancock Co. after they > decided they wanted to be buried in it (and were allowed to do so). It > caused a big stink with Arnett family descendants - Arnett being the > original name of the cemetery. It was finally agreed upon that the > cemetery > will finally be known as The Arnett-Lowder Cemetery. I hate it when people > decide to change history to fit their egos. > > > > Have you looked at the old plat maps/atlases that show the cemetery and > the > cemetery's name? If you show them PROOF of the cemetery's real name, it > should stay the same. You also might want to mention that it will be > difficult for genealogists, family members and descendants to find the > cemetery if the cemetery's name is changed; and ask the questions "What > right does this gentleman have to rename a cemetery just because his > family > owned the ground where the cemetery is located? What right does he have to > change history?" > > > > Good luck! I would like to know how this works out. > > Angela Tielking > > > > ==== INPCRP Mailing List ==== > To UNSUBSCRIBE, send message consisting only of > "UNSUBSCRIBE" to INPCRP-L-REQUEST@rootsweb.com > or to INPCRP-D-REQUEST@rootsweb.com (for DIGEST version) > >