This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/3AC.2ACE/1409.4.1 Message Board Post: A lot to think about in your post. Most states have, in their code, provisions relating to private cemeteries and the care or protection thereof. Basically, Virginia, as my non-legal eyes decipher it, protects cemeteries from damage such as vandalism. If I buy land that has an existing cemetery on it, I do not own that cemetery. I am not obligated to maintain it or allow others to cross my land to visit it. On the other hand, I must protect the cemetery from damage by people, cattle, etc. Such damage in VA is a felony, although there's evidence that county authorities are not interested in prosecuting such incidents. There is a lot of logging going on in Pittsylvania Co. at the moment. A few of these woodlands have abandoned cemeteries in them. I don't know what the fate of the graveyards is. It may depend on the attitude and moral leanings of those who own the land. I understand the logging. Owners are afraid that if they don't get the lumber now, the Federal government may pass some law that prevents them from managing their own land. It's the old story about, for instance, someone has a swampy area on their land and the Feds declare it a protected "wetlands." I'm told there were a couple of changes in the VA code this year but I have not seen them. Their website has not been updated.