# I’m going to ‘adopt’ an old cemetery. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 1, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422 "2006-12-01T01:49:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hokkaido\_Brit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/d26b3c/32.png) [@Hokkaido\_Brit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hokkaido_Brit)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/21 "2006-12-24T11:32:59Z")
I like cemetaries too. Here in Japan, graves are a bit different as there’s one grave for an entire family clan, and their ashes are interred there, then the name inscribed on a big stone one after another in order of the deaths. The grave next to my MIL’s family grave is really sad as there are four years during the war in which a one year old child died, one after another for four years. They probably starved to death (FIL also had several baby siblings be born and die one after another because there was not enough food during the war…) MILs family were farmers and hid enough food to keep their kids alive. It makes me sad each time we go there and see it. Can you imagine the heartbreak of the mother? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/22 "2006-12-24T11:40:38Z")
I will be buried in an old cemetery out in the country. Many relatives on my mother’s side are there, so I’ll be the only one with my name. There’s one grave, untended, that I alway put a flower on. A woman aged 20 died in 1887. There is a carving of clasped hands, which usually indicated marriage, and the inscription reads “Amanda, you have gone from me but are not forgotten” There are no other people with that name either. So I wonder sometimes if a grieving young husband thought the world had ended, but then of course married again sometime and is buried elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/23 "2006-12-24T13:55:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Another grave is very sad, because a family lost four children in one month from the 'flu epidemic before WWI. This is so very sad. ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/24 "2006-12-24T14:05:42Z")
[QUOTE=Random] I believe the your cemetary is the akin-garvin cemetary: [http://gagen.i-found-it.net/houstoncemeteryproject.html#AKI](http://gagen.i-found-it.net/houstoncemeteryproject.html#AKI) [/QUOTE] Well, the directions certainly are right! I don’t recall seeing any military graves, and the cemetery certainly isn’t _that big_ as pictured, though. Now there _is_ a big one just off of Church Street, across from the Baptist church, but that one’s pretty well maintained ([Centerville Cemetery](http://gagen.i-found-it.net/centervillecem.html)) “T.J.” still confuses me. Maybe he was an embarrasment. But he died during the war–there weren’t any major epidemics back then was there? March isn’t exactly so unpleasant with heat and humidity you’d _want_ to bury an unembalmbed body so quickly. . . Tripler Although I’ve deduced Mr. Akiиs must be Russian. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Eve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Eve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eve)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/25 "2006-12-24T14:22:28Z")
> [@](#): > > I’ve always had a slight thing for old graveyards. I wander through them and wonder who some of these people were. What did they do? What did they look like? How did they spend their free time? All of these people are still here, and I have to wonder, just what were their lives like? Hell, I could only hope that 200 years after I’m dead and gone, someone starts wondering about me! Me too! There are no abandoned cemeteries near me (_that I know of_. . .), but there is a really cool (est. mid-19th century and still in use) cemetery near my house that I cut through on my way to and from the grocery store, to read the inscriptions and wonder about those people. ---
**Author:** ![LucyInDisguise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucyindisguise/32/18064_2.png) [@LucyInDisguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyInDisguise)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/26 "2006-12-24T21:24:57Z")
There are old abandoned mining sites with the inevitable and equally abandoned cemetaries all [all over this area](http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/nv/nvelko.html). My wife and I love haunting these old sites, but the thought of adopting one never occured to me until reading this thread. Interesting idea … some are in particularly beautiful locations. I, like others, am posting here to keep an eye on the updates - keep 'em coming! Lucy ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/27 "2006-12-24T21:42:55Z")
I too love old cemeteries. For years I’ve shot photos in them, and when I travel out of state, if I see one I go for a walk through it. Somewhere I’ve got shots from a very old Confederate cemetery from Tyrone, GA. -shudder- If you peruse the [Photobucket link here](http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b291/Cartooniverse/Portfolio/) you can see some of my work in color and B&W in cemeteries. It’s my Portfolio. I think you’re doing a great thing by trying to maintain and respect that locale you’ve found. Right on !! Cartooniverse ( 7,000 posts ! ) ---
**Author:** ![movingfinger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@movingfinger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/movingfinger)\ **Post date:** [December 24, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/28 "2006-12-24T23:52:51Z")
I love old cemeteries, too. The epitaphs often hint at fascinating stories that will probably never be told. In the Cedar City, Utah cemetary is a stone that tells that the deceased was born “around 1835” and died in 1853, and that she “had been bitten by a rabid wolf, developed rabies, went berserk and was smothered in a feather bed, where her husband found her and her unborn child”. Wow. You don’t see epitaphs like that very much these days. ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/29 "2006-12-25T00:28:55Z")
Those of you who have extensive headstone photos might consider posting them to [rootsweb.com](http://rootsweb.com). This is a popular free genealogical web site. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/30 "2006-12-25T02:30:55Z")
[QUOTE=Cartooniverse] If you peruse the [Photobucket link here](http://s21.photobucket.com/albums/b291/Cartooniverse/Portfolio/) you can see some of my work in color and B&W in cemeteries. It’s my Portfolio. [/QUOTE] When I try the link, I need a password…☹ ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/31 "2006-12-25T03:10:20Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] Well, the directions certainly are right! I don’t recall seeing any military graves, and the cemetery certainly isn’t _that big_ as pictured, though. Now there _is_ a big one just off of Church Street, across from the Baptist church, but that one’s pretty well maintained ([Centerville Cemetery](http://gagen.i-found-it.net/centervillecem.html)) [/QUOTE] I think only the first two photos on my link are from the akins-garvin cemetery. Are those two stones still there? If not, it_s posssible that, as part of the development of the area, relatives were offered the opportunity to move graves to another cemetery, and some took advantage of that, leaving only those who didn_t have relatives with the interest or resources to make the move. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/32 "2006-12-25T03:27:02Z")
[QUOTE=Tripler] I think I’m going to hit the township up in the next few days for any records they may have on the place. [/QUOTE] Around my neck of the woods, the local historical society keeps track of all cemeteries, abandoned or not, along with the names, if known. They might have some info for you. You could also check the county’s land records for land ownership. ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2006, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/33 "2006-12-25T04:17:02Z")
[QUOTE=Ruby] When I try the link, I need a password…☹ [/QUOTE] Oops. My bad. The password, of course, is " cecil " 😃 All lower case. Then, click on " Portfolio " and the cemetery images are there, along with the rest of the portfolio. Some of the color ones are on Page 2 of that linked area. Try that ! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/34 "2006-12-26T04:37:00Z")
Dead & Lichen It… \ 😃 Seriously, nice work. I can’t wait to here more of your adopted graveyard story. ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/35 "2006-12-26T05:33:24Z")
(Stopping by to congratulate you and second the suggestion that you check local historical/genealogical societies. Cemeteries are valuable resources to them: they may have already researched matters a bit.) ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2006, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/36 "2006-12-26T21:54:34Z")
\*\*Tripler \*\* and I are traveling right now, I’m posting this from a gas station in Bland, VA, which has free wi-fi for the whole area. Don’t know how much we’ll be able to post until we get back to GA next week, but thank you for the Rootsweb hint; that’s a good idea. Also, we’re certainly up for hosting a combo cemetary cleaning/Dopefest. Any clever names? ---
**Author:** ![Cartooniverse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cartooniverse/32/3084_2.png) [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/37 "2006-12-31T15:38:54Z")
I think **Ruby** has already neatly addressed that issue. Imagine the t-shirts? Wildly tie-dyed, in the best Grateful Dead tradition. On the back, Dead and Lichen It A Conclave Of Lichen-Minded Dopers 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Nawth\_Chucka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c57346/32.png) [@Nawth\_Chucka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nawth_Chucka)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/38 "2006-12-31T15:42:10Z")
I _do_ have a ten gallon pot that’s been used for nothing but tie-dying… ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/39 "2006-12-31T16:04:18Z")
I’ll buy a T-shirt, even if I can’t come to any Fest that may happen! I will however be in Georgia in March, to visit **swampbear** as his church dedicates a new building. I’ll be down in Leesburg, how far is that from where **Tripler** is? ---
**Author:** ![Tripler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripler/32/21807_2.png) [@Tripler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tripler)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2006, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422/40 "2006-12-31T16:16:08Z")
[QUOTE=Baker] I’ll be down in Leesburg, how far is that from where **Tripler** is? [/QUOTE] It’s about 87 miles down south I-75, as the [crow flies.](http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=leesburg,+ga+to+31028) Let us know when you’ll be down there, and we’ll work with it. It seems I do have to go to a school for the month of January, so I’ll say March sounds like a good idea! Dead an’ Lichen it: A grave affair of a DopeFest; March 2007. (Details to haunt this thread later!) Once I get home later this week, I’ll also need to dispatch a few letters to the county, as **gfactor** pointed me in the right direction (thanks, btw!) Tripler Happy New Year in the meantime! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-m-going-to-adopt-an-old-cemetery/382422.md?page=3)