Dear List members, I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know are descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received some interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many questions on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a fellow who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally unknown by people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden and contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have heard or tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one else has run into these issues or knows answers to them: I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are hard to trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where the stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and clean cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the information regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. 3). That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on getting copies of the MO laws). I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to find out if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They didn't know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was told they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of local groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers clean the site. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to clean and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn

I think you have a good start....I'd put a blurb in the DAV newsletter and I know the VA had it's own newsletter as well that goes out to Vets. A Civil War re-enactment group is a good idea. I also believe you can get granite or bronze gravemarkers from the Veterans Administration - even for a Confederate vet, if you can get them the documentation they require. Perhaps there is a DAC or SAC chapter nearby who would like to help. Also the historical society and any family genealogical societies mught also help. If you can find the address of the land owner, you can write for permission, but you don't really need it in Missouri to go into the graveyard. you might be able with other family members to purchase just the area of the graveyard. That would give you a place to have a famliy reunion and grayard maintenance party every year, if you wanted and it would protect the graveyard. Keep trying for the antique tombstones.....I think there are some sites and e-lists that are for people interested in old stones and there might be someone there who could help. Also, the Mennonites and Amish both still have the old skills and one of thier stonemasns might be able to repair or even rplicate the stone.... If that doesn't work, you might consider planting trees that live a long time on the graves - such as Dawn Redwood, Red & White Oak, English Oak, Chestnut, Hickory, Hornbeam, Yew, Cedar, Sycamore, Sugar Maple, etc.....then place a plaque with the tree to mark the grave. It would create a foest of trees that are all capable of living 500 years - a living gravemarker and memorial that is also good for the planet. ----- Original Message ----- From: mfwebber <mfwebber@email.msn.com> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Dear List members, > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know are > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received some > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many questions > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a fellow > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally unknown by > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden and > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have heard or > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one else has > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are hard to > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where the > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and clean > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the information > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. 3). > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on getting > copies of the MO laws). > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to find out > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They didn't > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was told > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of local > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers clean > the site. > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to clean > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ >

Where is Putnam County, MO? Kathleen ----- Original Message ----- From: mfwebber <mfwebber@email.msn.com> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Dear List members, > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know are > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received some > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many questions > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a fellow > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally unknown by > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden and > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have heard or > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one else has > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are hard to > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where the > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and clean > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the information > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. 3). > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on getting > copies of the MO laws). > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to find out > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They didn't > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was told > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of local > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers clean > the site. > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to clean > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ >

Marilyn and List Members--- Don't despair! Abandoned cemeteries can be restored! I recently visited the Harmony Cemetery six miles east of Miami MO. This small cemetery formerly sat beside a Presbyterian church of the same name. In the "History of Saline County, Missouri" (page 39) the abandoned cemetery is described as "In bad condition, overgrown with brush and weeds - hard to get into. The church building is also in bad condition. Most stones are in good state, and can be read." Imagine my surprise to find the cemetery neat and clean as if new! There was a new Metal sign reading "Harmony Cemetery - Established 1878" The church building had been removed leaving no trace. New trees had been planted, and stone benches installed at the corners. It took a lot of effort and time to restore that place. But the stingiest thing is -- I can not find out who was responsible for the great job of cleanup. Was it the County? Or the Saline Historical Society? Or some church from Slater, Miami, or Marshall? I would like to learn who did this job, and how they were able to organize the work that obviously was required. We could learn from them how to clean up other abandoned cemeteries. Does anyone out there happen to know about this cleanup? Howard Gadberry ----- Original Message ----- From: "mfwebber" <mfwebber@email.msn.com> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Dear List members, > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know are > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received some > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many questions > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a fellow > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally unknown by > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden and > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have heard or > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one else has > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are hard to > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where the > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and clean > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the information > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. 3). > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on getting > copies of the MO laws). > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to find out > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They didn't > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was told > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of local > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers clean > the site. > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to clean > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ > >

Hi Listers! I've been lurking out here following this thread on restoration of cemeteries with interest. I agree with Howard, it can be done, but it usually takes someone from in the family to give it the tender loving care touch that it deserves! I live in Southeast Missouri. There's an old family cemetery near Farmington that someone in the family has restored. Previously, it was just a plain little old cemetery with a rock wall around it, not really neglected but nothing special either. When I stopped by there this past summer, I could not believe my eyes. It was like stepping into the Garden of Eden. There were new shrubs and evergreens, stone benches, bird baths, and new sod. There wasn't a weed in the place. They'd also wired the cemetery with electricity and had a sprinkling system on a timer. I know because it went off on me while I was there! Just about every grave was decorated with gorgeous floral arrangements. It looked like something out of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. In fact, it's the first cemetery that I've ever been to that I wished I'd brought a book as I wanted to sit down and stay awhile. It was like being in a shady, lush courtyard. I have pictures if anyone is interested. My cousins and I recently discovered a family graveyard on private farm property in which our 4th greatgrandfather and his immediate family is buried. It's way back in the woods and has a beautiful decorative iron fence around it. You can see that it was a pretty little cemetery in its day. However, it's now so overgrown and neglected that we had to fight our way through the weeds and brush just to find the stones. My 4th great grandfather has thousands of descendants as he had 14 children himself and several of his children had between 10-15 children each. The farmer who owns the property is not related, but he's not a problem. He's been very nice in allowing us access to the cemetery. The problem is finding someone to help me clean it up. I've tried posting messages on the appropriate surn ame boards, contacting descendants directly, putting out requests to boy scout troops, etc. but have only received lukewarm response. It seems that most of the people who have contacted me supporting my clean-up effort are either too old or too far away to help out themselves and the younger ones don't have any interest. It's so far gone, that it would just be too big of a job for just my cousins and I (who are all female) to handle on our own. I guess my next step will be to solicit donations to hire it done. I haven't been able to find any kind of endowment or trust that's ever been established for this cemetery. I'm not really interested in getting into all that red-tape, I just want to clean it up. By the way, my 4th great grandfather didn't fight in the Civil War, but he did fight in the War of 1812. Does anyone know if military markers can be ordered for that War like they can for the other Wars from the VA? Thanks for listening! B. Warner mailto:bkwofc@i1.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Gadberry" <gadberry@sound.net> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 2:20 PM Subject: Re: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Marilyn and List Members--- > Don't despair! Abandoned cemeteries can be restored! > > I recently visited the Harmony Cemetery six miles east of Miami MO. > This small cemetery formerly sat beside a Presbyterian church of the > same > name. In the "History of Saline County, Missouri" (page 39) the > abandoned > cemetery is described as "In bad condition, overgrown with brush and > weeds > - hard to get into. The church building is also in bad condition. Most > stones > are in good state, and can be read." > > Imagine my surprise to find the cemetery neat and clean as if new! There > was > a new Metal sign reading "Harmony Cemetery - Established 1878" > The church building had been removed leaving no trace. New trees had > been > planted, and stone benches installed at the corners. It took a lot of > effort and > time to restore that place. > > But the stingiest thing is -- I can not find out who was responsible for > the great > job of cleanup. Was it the County? Or the Saline Historical Society? > Or some > church from Slater, Miami, or Marshall? I would like to learn who did > this job, > and how they were able to organize the work that obviously was required. > We could learn from them how to clean up other abandoned cemeteries. > Does anyone out there happen to know about this cleanup? > Howard Gadberry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "mfwebber" <mfwebber@email.msn.com> > To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM > Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > > > > Dear List members, > > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know > are > > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received > some > > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many > questions > > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a > fellow > > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally > unknown by > > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden > and > > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have > heard or > > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one > else has > > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are > hard to > > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where > the > > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and > clean > > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the > information > > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. > 3). > > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on > getting > > copies of the MO laws). > > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to > find out > > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They > didn't > > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was > told > > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of > local > > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers > clean > > the site. > > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to > clean > > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List > http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > > > ============================== > > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ > > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > NOTICE: Posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political > announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, > etc. (in other words - spam) is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. > Consideration for exceptions, contact Kathleen Burnett kburnet@efortress.com > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search over 900 million names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >

Hi Listers! I've been lurking out here following this thread on restoration of cemeteries with interest. I agree with Howard, it can be done, but it usually takes someone from in the family to give it the tender loving care touch that it deserves! I live in Southeast Missouri. There's an old family cemetery near Farmington that someone in the family has restored. Previously, it was just a plain little old cemetery with a rock wall around it, not really neglected but nothing special either. When I stopped by there this past summer, I could not believe my eyes. It was like stepping into the Garden of Eden. There were new shrubs and evergreens, stone benches, bird baths, and new sod. There wasn't a weed in the place. They'd also wired the cemetery with electricity and had a sprinkling system on a timer. I know because it went off on me while I was there! Just about every grave was decorated with gorgeous floral arrangements. It looked like something out of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. In fact, it's the first cemetery that I've ever been to that I wished I'd brought a book as I wanted to sit down and stay awhile. It was like being in a shady, lush courtyard. I have pictures if anyone is interested. My cousins and I recently discovered a family graveyard on private farm property in which our 4th greatgrandfather and his immediate family is buried. It's way back in the woods and has a beautiful decorative iron fence around it. You can see that it was a pretty little cemetery in its day. However, it's now so overgrown and neglected that we had to fight our way through the weeds and brush just to find the stones. My 4th great grandfather has thousands of descendants as he had 14 children himself and several of his children had between 10-15 children each. The farmer who owns the property is not related, but he's not a problem. He's been very nice in allowing us access to the cemetery. The problem is finding someone to help me clean it up. I've tried posting messages on the appropriate surn ame boards, contacting descendants directly, putting out requests to boy scout troops, etc. but have only received lukewarm response. It seems that most of the people who have contacted me supporting my clean-up effort are either too old or too far away to help out themselves and the younger ones don't have any interest. It's so far gone, that it would just be too big of a job for just my cousins and I (who are all female) to handle on our own. I guess my next step will be to solicit donations to hire it done. I haven't been able to find any kind of endowment or trust that's ever been established for this cemetery. I'm not really interested in getting into all that red-tape, I just want to clean it up. By the way, my 4th great grandfather didn't fight in the Civil War, but he did fight in the War of 1812. Does anyone know if military markers can be ordered for that War like they can for the other Wars from the VA? Thanks for listening! B. Warner mailto:bkwofc@i1.net ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Gadberry" <gadberry@sound.net> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 2:20 PM Subject: Re: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Marilyn and List Members--- > Don't despair! Abandoned cemeteries can be restored! > > I recently visited the Harmony Cemetery six miles east of Miami MO. > This small cemetery formerly sat beside a Presbyterian church of the > same > name. In the "History of Saline County, Missouri" (page 39) the > abandoned > cemetery is described as "In bad condition, overgrown with brush and > weeds > - hard to get into. The church building is also in bad condition. Most > stones > are in good state, and can be read." > > Imagine my surprise to find the cemetery neat and clean as if new! There > was > a new Metal sign reading "Harmony Cemetery - Established 1878" > The church building had been removed leaving no trace. New trees had > been > planted, and stone benches installed at the corners. It took a lot of > effort and > time to restore that place. > > But the stingiest thing is -- I can not find out who was responsible for > the great > job of cleanup. Was it the County? Or the Saline Historical Society? > Or some > church from Slater, Miami, or Marshall? I would like to learn who did > this job, > and how they were able to organize the work that obviously was required. > We could learn from them how to clean up other abandoned cemeteries. > Does anyone out there happen to know about this cleanup? > Howard Gadberry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "mfwebber" <mfwebber@email.msn.com> > To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM > Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > > > > Dear List members, > > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know > are > > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received > some > > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many > questions > > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a > fellow > > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally > unknown by > > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden > and > > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have > heard or > > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one > else has > > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are > hard to > > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where > the > > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and > clean > > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the > information > > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. > 3). > > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on > getting > > copies of the MO laws). > > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to > find out > > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They > didn't > > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was > told > > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of > local > > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers > clean > > the site. > > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to > clean > > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List > http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > > > ============================== > > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ > > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > NOTICE: Posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political > announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, > etc. (in other words - spam) is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. > Consideration for exceptions, contact Kathleen Burnett kburnet@efortress.com > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search over 900 million names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Howard Gadberry" <gadberry@sound.net> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 2:20 PM Subject: Re: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > Marilyn and List Members--- > Don't despair! Abandoned cemeteries can be restored! > > I recently visited the Harmony Cemetery six miles east of Miami MO. > This small cemetery formerly sat beside a Presbyterian church of the > same > name. In the "History of Saline County, Missouri" (page 39) the > abandoned > cemetery is described as "In bad condition, overgrown with brush and > weeds > - hard to get into. The church building is also in bad condition. Most > stones > are in good state, and can be read." > > Imagine my surprise to find the cemetery neat and clean as if new! There > was > a new Metal sign reading "Harmony Cemetery - Established 1878" > The church building had been removed leaving no trace. New trees had > been > planted, and stone benches installed at the corners. It took a lot of > effort and > time to restore that place. > > But the stingiest thing is -- I can not find out who was responsible for > the great > job of cleanup. Was it the County? Or the Saline Historical Society? > Or some > church from Slater, Miami, or Marshall? I would like to learn who did > this job, > and how they were able to organize the work that obviously was required. > We could learn from them how to clean up other abandoned cemeteries. > Does anyone out there happen to know about this cleanup? > Howard Gadberry > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "mfwebber" <mfwebber@email.msn.com> > To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM > Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair > > > > Dear List members, > > I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know > are > > descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received > some > > interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many > questions > > on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a > fellow > > who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally > unknown by > > people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden > and > > contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my > > gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have > heard or > > tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one > else has > > run into these issues or knows answers to them: > > I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war > > tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are > hard to > > trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where > the > > stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). > > There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and > clean > > cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the > information > > regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. > 3). > > That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on > getting > > copies of the MO laws). > > I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to > find out > > if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They > didn't > > know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was > told > > they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of > local > > groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers > clean > > the site. > > Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to > clean > > and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > > Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; > > http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html > > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List > http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > > > ============================== > > Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! > > http://searches.rootsweb.com/ > > > > > > > ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== > NOTICE: Posting of virus warnings, test messages, chain letters, political > announcements, current events, items for sale, personal messages, flames, > etc. (in other words - spam) is NOT ALLOWED and will be grounds for removal. > Consideration for exceptions, contact Kathleen Burnett kburnet@efortress.com > To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett > Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm > > ============================== > Search over 900 million names at Ancestry.com! > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/rwlist1.asp > >

Afternoon all, When I found the cemetery in Putnam county most all of the tombstones had been knocked over by deer or cattle, at least that is what I believe. It appeared that the tall grass provided the needed cover and bedding. My great great grandparents stones were about 3 feet tall by 15 or 18 inches wide and about 2 inches thick. They were mostly buried under 5 to 6 inches of soil. They are very ornately carved as my gggrandfather was a minister Some of the bushes or shrubs that had been planted at one time on the graves have grown roots so large that they have made the stones still standing lean precariously. I cleaned off the soil from two stones, but have worried since then that I may have exposed it to snow, freezing and thawing that could do more damage than help. Or even exposed them to more damage by animals. I have wondered if there is any carving on the back side of the stones and if they could be stabilized in some manner by mounting on another tablet. I will look for the sites that were mentioned. Any other sites or suggestions would be helpful. Thanks for all the input. Marilyn ----- Original Message ----- From: B. Warner <bkwofc@i1.net> To: <MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 4:24 PM Subject: Re: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair Hi Listers! I've been lurking out here following this thread on restoration of cemeteries with interest. I agree with Howard, it can be done, but it usually takes someone from in the family to give it the tender loving care touch that it deserves! I live in Southeast Missouri. There's an old family cemetery near Farmington that someone in the family has restored. Previously, it was just a plain little old cemetery with a rock wall around it, not really neglected but nothing special either. When I stopped by there this past summer, I could not believe my eyes. It was like stepping into the Garden of Eden. There were new shrubs and evergreens, stone benches, bird baths, and new sod. There wasn't a weed in the place. They'd also wired the cemetery with electricity and had a sprinkling system on a timer. I know because it went off on me while I was there! Just about every grave was decorated with gorgeous floral arrangements. It looked like something out of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine. In fact, it's the first cemetery that I've ever been to that I wished I'd brought a book as I wanted to sit down and stay awhile. It was like being in a shady, lush courtyard. I have pictures if anyone is interested. My cousins and I recently discovered a family graveyard on private farm property in which our 4th greatgrandfather and his immediate family is buried. It's way back in the woods and has a beautiful decorative iron fence around it. You can see that it was a pretty little cemetery in its day. However, it's now so overgrown and neglected that we had to fight our way through the weeds and brush just to find the stones. My 4th great grandfather has thousands of descendants as he had 14 children himself and several of his children had between 10-15 children each. The farmer who owns the property is not related, but he's not a problem. He's been very nice in allowing us access to the cemetery. The problem is finding someone to help me clean it up. I've tried posting messages on the appropriate surn ame boards, contacting descendants directly, putting out requests to boy scout troops, etc. but have only received lukewarm response. It seems that most of the people who have contacted me supporting my clean-up effort are either too old or too far away to help out themselves and the younger ones don't have any interest. It's so far gone, that it would just be too big of a job for just my cousins and I (who are all female) to handle on our own. I guess my next step will be to solicit donations to hire it done. I haven't been able to find any kind of endowment or trust that's ever been established for this cemetery. I'm not really interested in getting into all that red-tape, I just want to clean it up. By the way, my 4th great grandfather didn't fight in the Civil War, but he did fight in the War of 1812. Does anyone know if military markers can be ordered for that War like they can for the other Wars from the VA? Thanks for listening! B. Warner mailto:bkwofc@i1.net

I have replaced complete headstones. When I did I kept the original and have it out at the farm. I made sure the replacement was exactly the same as the orginal. When a Stone breaks at the base and only is engraved on one side, I have had success (as well as others) in placing the headstone in a slab of concrete over the grave so that it is level with the ground and can be mowed over. You will have to talk to the cemetary committee or manager to see if there are any covenants against that method. I do know that many large public and private cemetaries do have covenants against that method. I have seen some really bad repair jobs out there. Show respect to your ancestor. Try to replace one if at all possible. ----- Original Message ----- From: mfwebber To: MO-CEMETERIES-L@rootsweb.com Sent: Thursday, February 08, 2001 12:53 PM Subject: [MO-CEM] Re: Cemetery disrepair Dear List members, I have tried to recruit family members from MO & KS who I know are descendants of a family cemetery in Putnam Co. MO. I have received some interest in cleaning and repairing the cemetery and also many many questions on how to do it. The cemetery is located on private property by a fellow who no longer lives in the state. The cemetery is almost totally unknown by people who now live in the county. It is overgrown and totally hidden and contains a Civil War soldier who was my great great grandfather, my gggrandmother, several of their children and grandchildren. I have heard or tried the following things and would like some feedback if any one else has run into these issues or knows answers to them: I have been told: 1).Once a cemetery is cleaned, sometimes Civil war tombstones are stolen and placed on the market for sale. They are hard to trace unless close up photos are taken and other photos to prove where the stones came from. This is especially true if the site is remote. 2). There are Civil War groups that are interested in helping identify and clean cemeteries where former soldiers are buried and they keep the information regarding these old sites relatively private to avoid desecration. 3). That the land owner can refuse to let repair take place. ( I plan on getting copies of the MO laws). I have tried: 1) I called the KC area Veterans Administration to find out if there was any group that helped with this type of issue. They didn't know. 2) I spoke with the tombstone company in the county and was told they really didn't now how to repair old stones. They had no list of local groups that could help. They suggested I hire local jobless workers clean the site. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated. I would really like to clean and repair my ancestors family cemetery. Marilyn ==== MO-CEMETERIES Mailing List ==== Checkout the other lists being watched over by your List Mom; http://mailing_lists.homestead.com/lists.html To learn more about my world visit http://dwp.bigplanet.com/kburnett Vist the Mo-Cemeteries Volunteer and Cemetery List http://www.rootsweb.com/~mocemete/mocem.htm ============================== Search more than 150 million free records at RootsWeb! http://searches.rootsweb.com/