In a message dated 4/6/2004 8:24:41 PM Eastern Standard Time, chilipepper5454@aol.com writes: > Charlotte, my sister and I got so tickled, it was hard to stop laughing. > It was also embarrassing because we didn't want people to think we were > being disrespectful. It was tough trying to keep a straight face every > time we looked over at him. > Jean > Jean, I can imagine. My mom would have loved that. LOL Love, Charlotte http://www.geocities.com/charlotte7274/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyandMore

Well darn, I knew something was wrong, I forgot to put the HH number. Can anyone tell me anything at all about this family? 1920 Breathitt Co Ky, Dist 1 Pct 16 from Heritage Quest HH 20-21 WILLIAMS, Isaac Head M W 26 M Ky Ky Ky laborer/lumber yard Bell Wife F W 23 KyKyKy Hazel dau F W 5 Ky Irene dau F W 3 Ky Clarence son M W 5/12 Ky Lynda

Hi Gang, Does anyone know anything about this family? 1920 Breathitt Co Ky, Dist 1 Pct 16 from Heritage Quest WILLIAMS, Isaac Head M W 26 M Ky Ky Ky laborer/lumber yard Bell Wife F W 23 KyKyKy Hazel dau F W 5 Ky Irene dau F W 3 Ky Clarence son M W 5/12 Ky Lynda

So a spirit would not be seen. Clocks was indeed stopped and some never restarted.. Another practice was the church rang a bell for each year of life of the person... 2 quick bells at first meant it was a man... one short followed by a pause meant a women..... then slowly one bell for each year ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shelly Platz" <sunshine311_us@yahoo.com> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 8:45 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > Does anybody know why they covered the mirrors? Was it to do with Spirits? I have also heard they stop the clocks at least in the room the person died in. > > Michelle Cole <mcole@go-concepts.com> wrote:My Granny would always cover the mirrors when sitting up with the dead. > > I have a copy of her father's death certificate, on it, one of the questions > was "Undertaker" and written in the box is "Home Folks" > > Michelle Williams Cole > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > Help build the Breathitt County KyGenWeb site. Submit information for posting to the site. Contact Jeanette Shouse at library@tgtel.com > >

You can still be at the gravesite while it's covered. My brother in law passed away in 2000 and the whole family stayed and some of them covered the grave themselves. He's buried in a family cemetery. Ruth Bowman

Here is some maps that show the county changes from year to year for the state. It also has census maps and some other info for the various counties. Its at http://www.genealogyinc.com/maps/uscm.htm It can help a lot of folks trieng to locate what county thier ancestors were in at what date. Very Handy. Brian

In a message dated 4/5/04 10:17:59 PM US Eastern Standard Time, gtskjs@mvn.net writes: > KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com > Yes, I have had experience with sitting up with the dead. My brother (Eugene Medley) who died in 1959 and my grandparents (Mae Mullins Medley who died in 1963 and Lud Medley who died in 1973. They lived in the area of Combs, Frogtown and before that they lived in Quicksand. I enjoying hearing about those times. My grandfather is buried in Quicksand, but my brother and grandmother are both buried up on the hill in Combs above K-mart. Does anyone know the name of that cemetery in Combs? Veronica Ruth Birchfield Bowman

In a message dated 4/6/04 8:16:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, CharlotteAnneMlr@aol.com writes: > Jean, > > That is really a cute story. He must not have had anything else to do. > Charlotte, my sister and I got so tickled, it was hard to stop laughing. It was also embarrassing because we didn't want people to think we were being disrespectful. It was tough trying to keep a straight face every time we looked over at him. Jean

In a message dated 4/6/2004 8:14:09 PM Eastern Standard Time, chilipepper5454@aol.com writes: > Wilma, it's funny you should mention that. I have a cute story about > when my grandmother Marie Daniels Castle passed away. There was > an elderly man who came for visitation, on the 1st day he came up to the > casket shook hands with each of us and introduced him self as Martin. > Then he went over took a seat and stayed until the showing was over. > The 2nd day he showed up again and did the same thing. We started asking > family members who this Martin was, none knew him, but we had thought > nothing of it at first since we are related to the Martin's in Floyd Co. > We thought him to be an unknown family member. That evening another > family had a showing, and the Martin man went over to the room where > this person was being shown, walked up to the casket and again introduced > him self then took a seat. He went from room to room paying his respects > to family members, it was then we realized that he must be a poor old > lonely man had nothing better to do with his time then to visit funeral > homes. > > He certainly gave us a chuckle at a sad time. > Jean > Jean, That is really a cute story. He must not have had anything else to do. Love, Charlotte http://www.geocities.com/charlotte7274/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyandMore

In a message dated 4/6/04 7:26:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, wpjohnson@kih.net writes: > Actually, this all is an old Irish Custom. But, the Irish use to hire > people to wail and moan at the Wake. Sometimes they lasted for days. > > > WILMA JOHNSON > > Wilma, it's funny you should mention that. I have a cute story about when my grandmother Marie Daniels Castle passed away. There was an elderly man who came for visitation, on the 1st day he came up to the casket shook hands with each of us and introduced him self as Martin. Then he went over took a seat and stayed until the showing was over. The 2nd day he showed up again and did the same thing. We started asking family members who this Martin was, none knew him, but we had thought nothing of it at first since we are related to the Martin's in Floyd Co. We thought him to be an unknown family member. That evening another family had a showing, and the Martin man went over to the room where this person was being shown, walked up to the casket and again introduced him self then took a seat. He went from room to room paying his respects to family members, it was then we realized that he must be a poor old lonely man had nothing better to do with his time then to visit funeral homes. He certainly gave us a chuckle at a sad time. Jean

Does anybody know why they covered the mirrors? Was it to do with Spirits? I have also heard they stop the clocks at least in the room the person died in. Michelle Cole <mcole@go-concepts.com> wrote:My Granny would always cover the mirrors when sitting up with the dead. I have a copy of her father's death certificate, on it, one of the questions was "Undertaker" and written in the box is "Home Folks" Michelle Williams Cole --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today

My Granny would always cover the mirrors when sitting up with the dead. I have a copy of her father's death certificate, on it, one of the questions was "Undertaker" and written in the box is "Home Folks" Michelle Williams Cole ----- Original Message ----- From: "charles friedly" <mfriedly@adelphia.net> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 3:32 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > Some people say the custom may have started because the windows were opened > for fresh air long ago when there were no air conditioning or screens on the > windows. People would sit up with the dead to keep varmints from getting in > and bothering the body. Cats were good at that so I am told and of course > they can climb anywhere. > > I have sat up with my mother and other women at several people's homes up > until the 40s or 50s. We had one lady that told funny stories to keep us > awake after the family went to bed. Of course, we could not laugh out loud, > but she helped us stay awake along with cups of coffee in the kitchen. We > tried to be quiet to let the family get some rest because they were usually > worn out from taking care of the sick person before they passed away. > Didn't have nursing homes then and most could not afford hospitals for a > long time. I don't remember anyplace where I sat up that did not have > screens, but there was no air conditioning in the homes. > > Maxine > > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.648 / Virus Database: 415 - Release Date: 3/31/2004 > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > >

Its possible the home had on staff a "professional" mourner. Some home paid a small fee to have people attend ----- Original Message ----- From: <chilipepper5454@aol.com> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 6:23 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Funerals > In a message dated 4/6/04 8:16:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time, > CharlotteAnneMlr@aol.com writes: > > > > Jean, > > > > That is really a cute story. He must not have had anything else to do. > > > > Charlotte, my sister and I got so tickled, it was hard to stop laughing. > It was also embarrassing because we didn't want people to think we were > being disrespectful. It was tough trying to keep a straight face every > time we looked over at him. > Jean > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > >

Actually, this all is an old Irish Custom. But, the Irish use to hire people to wail and moan at the Wake. Sometimes they lasted for days. WILMA JOHNSON

The "Wake" was the sitting up with the corpse prior to the funeral. Nowadays, we more call it Visitation at the funeral home, or the Viewing. > [Original Message] > From: Virginia A. <vdach@gte.net> > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > Date: 4/6/04 5:40:20 PM > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > I'm not sure, but isn't the "wake", the "party" that takes place after the > funeral and the "burying"? Or is that what it has evolved into? Frankly, > it makes more sense that it would be the 'staying awake'. > > I also remember the coffin being in the parlor and members of the family > sitting with low lighting on during the night. My grandfather died in 1949 > in Ky. I was very young. Then it seemed as though the funeral went on all > day long. I know there were at least two services in two different > churches. Then they put the coffin in the ground and covered it. As I > remember, we all went back to my grandmothers and there was a huge gathering > and tons of food. > > Now days, I guess they cannot cover the coffin until all of the family had > left the cemetery. > > Also, after hearing my mother's story, I wonder if the "sitting with the > dead" wasn't a safety issue. My mother was only about two or three when her > father was killed in an accident. The body was placed in the parlor and > the room was lit with candles as there was no electricity. Somehow, the > house caught on fire and burned to the ground...............coffin and all. > (Unintentional cremation?) > > Virginia in Seattle > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Shelly Platz" <sunshine311_us@yahoo.com> > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 2:15 PM > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > > > Yes, Linda. I have been to several. > > > > > > Hi, wasn't that also called a "Wake"? I've never been to one but I hear > that > > was the "thing to do" when someone passed on. > > > > Lynda > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > > Do you Yahoo!? > > Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > Want to submit family infomation for Surname Files at the Breathitt County library? Contact library@tgtel.com

Hello, I have started a new mailing list on Rootsweb for SEIGLER researchers. To subscribe to the list, send the word subscribe to: SEIGLER-l-request@rootsweb.com, for digest form, send the word subscribe to SEIGLER-D-request@rootsweb.com Thank you, Charlotte Seigler Miller http://www.geocities.com/charlotte7274/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyandMore Love, Charlotte http://www.geocities.com/charlotte7274/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FamilyandMore

My father-in-law was brought home for his wake in 1972 in Perry County. It seems to me that this custom was starting to be "phased out" around this time. I do remember washing dishes upon dishes upon dishes as the neighbors brought food in for the family and other mourners. His was the last "at home" wake that I went to. Margaret Hayes ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karen" <gtskjs@mvn.net> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 10:14 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > I have so enjoyed all the messages in this thread. The "Yankees" probably > also aren't familiar with "sitting up with the dead." Have any of you had > personal experience with this custom? I know that it was customary for > family and friends to come in and sit. The body was always at the house > until the "burying" and the oldtimers would never have allowed everyone to > go to bed without someone staying up with the body, at least two people > usually sat in the room with the body. Other neighbors brought food for > those who came in to sit. Anyone else remember this? > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Windwalker" <windwalker@fastmail.fm> > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 10:30 PM > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > > > Lots of customs, that are seldom heard of > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: <BRogers386@aol.com> > > To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> > > Sent: Monday, April 05, 2004 2:01 PM > > Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > > > > > > > I enjoyed your email about early customs at family cemeteries. > > > Bill > > > > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > Have time to copy cemetery information into a database? Contact > Jeanette > > Shouse at library@tgtel.com. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > Help build the Breathitt County KyGenWeb site. Submit information for > posting to the site. Contact Jeanette Shouse at library@tgtel.com > > > > > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > >

Some people say the custom may have started because the windows were opened for fresh air long ago when there were no air conditioning or screens on the windows. People would sit up with the dead to keep varmints from getting in and bothering the body. Cats were good at that so I am told and of course they can climb anywhere. I have sat up with my mother and other women at several people's homes up until the 40s or 50s. We had one lady that told funny stories to keep us awake after the family went to bed. Of course, we could not laugh out loud, but she helped us stay awake along with cups of coffee in the kitchen. We tried to be quiet to let the family get some rest because they were usually worn out from taking care of the sick person before they passed away. Didn't have nursing homes then and most could not afford hospitals for a long time. I don't remember anyplace where I sat up that did not have screens, but there was no air conditioning in the homes. Maxine --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.648 / Virus Database: 415 - Release Date: 3/31/2004

I'm not sure, but isn't the "wake", the "party" that takes place after the funeral and the "burying"? Or is that what it has evolved into? Frankly, it makes more sense that it would be the 'staying awake'. I also remember the coffin being in the parlor and members of the family sitting with low lighting on during the night. My grandfather died in 1949 in Ky. I was very young. Then it seemed as though the funeral went on all day long. I know there were at least two services in two different churches. Then they put the coffin in the ground and covered it. As I remember, we all went back to my grandmothers and there was a huge gathering and tons of food. Now days, I guess they cannot cover the coffin until all of the family had left the cemetery. Also, after hearing my mother's story, I wonder if the "sitting with the dead" wasn't a safety issue. My mother was only about two or three when her father was killed in an accident. The body was placed in the parlor and the room was lit with candles as there was no electricity. Somehow, the house caught on fire and burned to the ground...............coffin and all. (Unintentional cremation?) Virginia in Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shelly Platz" <sunshine311_us@yahoo.com> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 2:15 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > Yes, Linda. I have been to several. > > > Hi, wasn't that also called a "Wake"? I've never been to one but I hear that > was the "thing to do" when someone passed on. > > Lynda > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > >

I'm not sure, but isn't the "wake", the "party" that takes place after the funeral and the "burying"? Or is that what it has evolved into? Frankly, it makes more sense that it would be the 'staying awake'. I also remember the coffin being in the parlor and members of the family sitting with low lighting on during the night. My grandfather died in 1949 in Ky. I was very young. Then it seemed as though the funeral went on all day long. I know there were at least two services in two different churches. Then they put the coffin in the ground and covered it. As I remember, we all went back to my grandmothers and there was a huge gathering and tons of food. Now days, I guess they cannot cover the coffin until all of the family had left the cemetery. Also, after hearing my mother's story, I wonder if the "sitting with the dead" wasn't a safety issue. My mother was only about two or three when her father was killed in an accident. The body was placed in the parlor and the room was lit with candles as there was no electricity. Somehow, the house caught on fire and burned to the ground...............coffin and all. (Unintentional cremation?) Virginia in Seattle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shelly Platz" <sunshine311_us@yahoo.com> To: <KYBREATH-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2004 2:15 PM Subject: Re: [KYBREATH-L] Preachin on the Ground > Yes, Linda. I have been to several. > > > Hi, wasn't that also called a "Wake"? I've never been to one but I hear that > was the "thing to do" when someone passed on. > > Lynda > > > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Small Business $15K Web Design Giveaway - Enter today > > > ==== KYBREATH Mailing List ==== > > > >