So Sad...

I came across this marker at Bethel Cemetery in Gravette, AR.  Nothing unusual about it just a standard obelisk.  It's the inscription that caught my eye. So sad how many women died trying to have children back then.

Angeline

Wife of

W.E. Austin

Born

June 10, 1833

Died

July 7, 1858

------

INFANT

IN HER ARMS

The West Family Crosses

This is the West's family plot. Located in Berryville Memorial Park Cemetery in Berryville, AR.

New Springplace "God's Acre"

This memorial marker is located in Oaks Cemetery in Oaks, OK.

New Springplace

"God's Acre"

The New Springplace mission was established

 by the Moravian Church in 1842. New Springplace

 was the second Moravian mission station in the

 Indian Territory after the forced removal of the

 Cherokees on the Trail of Tears from the East.

The Moravians named the mission New Springplace

after the original mission in Georgia. The mission

buildings were on the hillside just north of this location.

Brother Boas a Cherokee member of the Moravian

 Church was the first burial in the New Springplace

graveyard. He died October 9 or 10, 1844 In a written

 letter to Salem, North Carolina, Rev David Z Smith

 tells of the death of Brother Boas. His remains

were interred at a little distance behind the garden

at Springplace where a site was selected by the

Brn (Brethren) for a future burial ground.

Moravians call their graveyard "God's Acre".

 Brother Aucustus G Fogle described the New

Springplace graveyard in his travel diary for

 June 28 1854. There are 33 graves in a row, 

3 of which are missionaries wives. Twenty-nine

of those burials were recorded in the Moravian

records. Those names and dates are on the

reverse side of this memorial stone.

An asterisk (*) preceding a name indicates that

the person came on the forced removal of the

Cherokees from the East.

Erected in 2010 by

Cherokee Moravian Historical Association

The Goingsnake District Heritage Association

 The Oklahoma Chapter Trail of Tears Association

Historical Cemetery - Sadly Neglected

This is the Poor Farm Cemetery located in Bentonville, AR. This cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Sadly the only thing being taken care of in this cemetery is the entrance and the fence. As you can see by these photos. But it does have an interesting story.

View to the left of entrance.

View to the right of entrance.

A French Freedom Fighter

A French Freedom Fighter and a concentration camp victim in Centerton, AR. Really?  This was an amazing find for me. (Even if it is only a cenotaph.)  Not only was it completely unexpected but incredibly sad as well. 

Nestled into the back of the Centerton Cemetery in Centerton, AR sits a Cenotaph that brings tears to my eyes.  Erected, I can only assume, by her Margot Baird as a loving tribute to her mother.

I can't help but wonder what her story is.  Sadly I have been unsuccessful in finding out much so far.

Ludovicka

Saurwein

Freedom Fighter

in the French Underground, Killed

in February 1945 in the concentration

camp, "Ravensbruck." She was gassed,

burnt and buried in a mass grave.

Missed by many.

In spirit let Centerton be your resting

place until we meet again,

Forever love,

your daughter

Margot

and  "the coming generations"

"May global peace prevail"

An Interesting Urn Idea

For those loved ones who were sticklers on time.  Heres the web address for them http://www.inthelighturns.com/hourglass_urns.html the other video on this web site is interesting as well.

Saturday Symbol: A.A. or Alcoholics Anonymous

The triangle in a circle design was used by Alcoholics Anonymous as a logo on their literature for many years, but the use of this logo came into controversy in the late 1980s and was stopped soon after.  Bute use of this symbol has not been exclusive to AA.

A.A.

History

Wikipedia

 These are A.A. medalians or coins inlaid into a person headstone. The first on is the front side, designed with the year of the corresponding birthday/anniversary and the triangle with the words UNITY, SERVICE, and RECOVERY around it. This coin signifies 7 years sober. The second is the back.

God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference.

Is inscribed on it.

Hobbies and Occupations - GYR Submission

Hobbies, Sports and Occupations are everywhere. Well, not exactly. I haven't found many in the older sections of the cemeteries but they are everywhere you turn in the newer sections. I wonder if this has anything to do with the change of priorities in peoples lives? Back hundreds of years ago the focus for most people was the church and family. And for the most part just surviving. Now its seems to be more focused on our careers and how we live. Or could it possibly be because carving is all done by machines now and doesn't require near as much skill as it did back when they had to make the markers by hand.

I will leave you to ponder this question.  But before I go here are a few examples I have found.

Cute Little Guy

This little fellow is located at Forest Park Cemetery in Fort Smith, AR.

In Memory of

Infant Son of

Plymouth

and

Mable

Forbes

Died

Mar 3, 1906

Another little lamb has gone

 to dwell with him who gave

Sweet Little Angel Hidden In A Shrub

This beautiful little angel is located at Tahlequah Cemetery in Tahlequah, OK.

Isabel Daughter of

James & Ellen

McSpadden

Born

May 14, 1900

Died

??? 23, 1905

SO EXCITED!!!!

I am so excited! One of my pictures got selected for the commemorative book "175 Years of Reflections" for Laurel Hill Cemetery. It will be published in 2011. When I have more info on the release date I will let you guys know.

Here were my entries.

The "Guardian Angel" got selected.  EKKKKEEEEE! I have to go celebrate now!

Interesting Military Photos & Stones

I found these two wonderful military pictures on stones at Blue Springs Cemetery in Gideon, OK.

Grady W. Corn

Oklahoma

PVT 69 Regt.

Coast Art. Corps

July 20, 1894

March 28, 1922

__

To him we trust a place

is given among the sain

ts with Christ in heaven

Wiley A. Taylor

December 24 1892 - October 6 1918

Motor Co No 14

Greenleaf Geor

Ft Smith National Cemetery

These are the gates that greet you as you enter the Ft. Smith National Cemetery in Ft Smith, AR.  They were originally erected in 1942.

The administration building that is located just inside the gates was constructed in 1904. It was originally the home of the superintendent. But now serves as the office and maintenance area.

Sunday Styles: Truncated or blunt obelisk

Truncated or blunt obelisk - Similar shape to the standard obelisk but with a rounded capital (top).

Saturday Symbol: Knights of the Holy Sepulchre



This symbol was accompanied by the group name.

The symbol itself is actually a Jerusalem Cross also called the Crusaders' Cross. It is made up of 5 Greek Crosses which are said to symbolize the 5 Wounds of Christ or the 4 Gospels and the 4 corners of the earth (the 4 smaller crosses) and Christ Himself (the large Cross). The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre adopted it as their symbol.

Wikipedia

Catholic Encyclopedia

History

More info

Famous File: George Lowrey Jr

Located at Tahlequah Cemetery in Tahlequah, OK.

George Lowrey Jr was a Native American Cherokee Chief. His birth name was Agin'-agi'li which translates to Rising Fawn, his father came to America from Scotland and his mother was the daughter and granddaughter of Echota Cherokee chiefs. He was well known and respected in the Cherokee tribe as a courier, banker, soldier, translator, law enforcement officer, planter, breeder, and political leader. In 1792, he met with President George Washington as delegate for the Cherokee Nation to help form protections for the Cherokee Territory from settler over population. His efforts resulted in the signing of The Treaty of 1819 for which he received a medal from President Washington. In 1828, he was elected Assistant Principal Chief and he was Principal Chief and President for the council of the Eastern Cherokees at the Washington meeting in 1839, this meeting was to fuse the eastern and western divisions into the present Cherokee Nation.

Horse Lovers I Guess

Located at Pea Ridge Cemetery in Pea Ridge, AR.

Allan Franklin Gastineau

July 1, 1933

Aug 6, 1973

Malburn Wayne Laughlin

Mar 20, 1927

May 9, 1977

Massive Amounts of Vermont Granite - Farrar Family Plot

Welcome to the Farrar's monuments. All of these massive pieces of Vermont granite are located at Bluff Cemetery in Springdale, AR.

William Talafaro Farrar's monument is the one in the foreground and his daughter's, Jewel, monument is in the background on the right. On the other side of this larger monument the Name "Farar" is written marking the family plot. There are also two smaller markers in this grouping (Not visible in this photo, but directly on the other side of the monument.) that are also made from Vermont granite. The two smaller ones are William's and his wife Dora's.

To give you an idea of how large these monuments are I will tell you this, William's larger monument took a team of eight horses to drag it into Bluff cemetery. Jewel's monument is considerably smaller but it is still large by any standards.

Just A Photo I Like

Above That of Rubies...

Located at Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, AR.

Ida

Larkins

Wife of

J L

Clute

July 7

1854

May 1

1919

Her price was

far above that

of Rubies.

I though this epitaph was interesting.  When I first read it I will admit my first thought was who is Ruby and way would you put that on another woman's stone. But after a google search I found that it is from the bible.

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

From the King James Bible - Proverbs 31:10

Hitch Your Horse Here

Located at Westville Cemetery in Westville, OK.

Bringing a touch of the cowboy to his final resting place.

Murray

Thomas Theodore

"Teddy"

April 30, 1978 - Oct 29, 2007

Happy Trails To You

Til' We Meet Again

My Gravin Gadgets: Gravin With An IPhone

I fought getting an IPhone for a long time. I was always happy with my Blackberry. Well my last Blackberry finally gave out and my husband talked me into an IPhone 4.  I am so glad he did because it has become my best gravin gadget.

Here is a run through on how I use my IPhone and the different apps that I use for gravin.

App # 1: MAPS  (Comes standard with the IPhone.)

This is my home screen.

I plot my course to where I am going. Then I figure out what towns are along the route.

Saturday Symbol: Lambs

A lamb usually marks the grave of a child. The lamb ALWAYS stands for innocence. Christians go a little further and associate it with the Lamb of God, meaning Jesus.

Just for the record I have found lambs on adults headstones so they don't always signify children.

Have you ever noticed the vast variety there is for this one specific symbol?  Here are a few of the ones I have collected this year. Well, at least the complete ones. I find a lot that are missing their heads.

The one in the lower right corner of the above collage is my favorite. But I think it looks more like a baby fawn than a lamb. What do you think?

Famous File: Felice Orlandi

Located at Oak Hill Cemetery in Siloam Springs, AR.

After his death his ashes were scattered under an orange tree in the backyard of his and Alice's home. Upon the death of his wife this Centopha was added to the back of Alice and Glady's gravestone for him.

Who was Felice Orlandi? Good question, sadly finding information on him has been rather challenging.  Being famous and having stared in a number of movies and TV shows there sure isn't much on the net about him. Mostly all I can find is "married to Alice Ghostley" and a list of roles he played. 

This is the description i found on Life in Legacy - Actor who appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows like the films “Bullitt”, “They Shoot Horses Don’t They?”, “Catch-22” and “Another 48 Hours”, and TV shows like “Hogan’s Heros”, “Dallas” and “Gunsmoke”, and who was the husband of actress Alice Ghostley

He does have a Find A Grave memorial.

I did locate Felice's obit but it's not much.  

Felice Orlandi, 78; Versatile Actor in Film, Plays and TV

Los Angeles Times, Obituaries May 24, 2003 From a Times Staff Writer

Felice Orlandi, an actor who appeared in many movies, plays and television programs, died Wednesday at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. He was 78.  Orlandi, who was married to actress Alice Ghostley -- Bernice Clifton on "Designing Women" -- and lived in Studio City, died of lung cancer.

A Horrible Accident for Russel Bird.

Russel M Bird

Born

Dec 5, 1856

Killed

Aug 20, 1885

Aged

28 yrs 8 mos 15 days

Located at Salem Lutheran Cemetery in Springdale, AR.

If you look closely at this stone you can see a man beside a well with his hands on the rope for the bucket pulley. Sadly my pictures of this one are not the best. I went back 3 times and still could not get good pics. So I have tried to change the pic up so you can see it.

Interesting Coffin Shaped Box Tomb

Found this beautiful box tomb at Rose Hill Cemetery in Harrison, AR.

I have seen coffin shaped ledger stones and I have seen box tombs but not combine like this.  I think its very nice and unique. Also in amazing shape to be 125 years old.

Purdy J

Daughter of

S C & Ella

Speer

1881 - 1885

Genealogist's Dream Stone

This very interesting marker is located at Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, AR. 

 Not only is the front of this stone very unique and interesting looking, but the back holds a wealth of information for both people.

James W Starkey

22 Sept 1923

4 Apr 2006

Marie (Scott) Starkey

27 Apr 1926

9 June 1997

To Enhance or Not to Enhance that is the Question.... I want your opinions

Hello my fellow graveyard wanders,

First off  Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog.  I put a lot of time into it so I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I do.

I was recently asked a question on a topic that tends to be a bit taboo in the gravin world "Enhance or Not to Enhance?"  Taboo or not it did spark my curiosity about how others felt about the topic. So I thought I would give my wonderful readers a chance to voice their opinions on this topic.  And PLEASE keep your responses friendly and respectfully. I don't want anyone to get bent out of shape over this discussion. Also keep in mind everyone has an opinion so we will have to agree to disagree if we view it differently.  I am just interested in what everyone thinks.  Examples are always great and please provide links if you have them. If you have pics you would like so share for illustrative purposes please send them to me and I will post them for you. (Email addy is nailgal123@gmail.com)

The Topic:
Should methods be used to enhance a stone that is hard to read? For example should we use Shaving Cream or Chalk to make the stone more legible?  Also, I want to know which you think is more important, preservation of the stone or preservation of the data?

Just to illustrate what I am talking about for those who aren't sure. Here are a few before and after pics of a stone that has had shaving cream applied to it. (Pics were sent to me by a friend. So they are not mine.)

Dr. Silas Shruggs Stacey

Meet Dr. Silas Shruggs Stacey. Located at Jasper Cemetery in Jasper, AR.

Dr. S.S. Stacey

Born

Jan 20, 1828

Died

July 27, 1915

Newspaper Article About Me

Here is the article written about me in the Overton County Newspaper.  This was put together by  Emily Sells who has a regular collum in the paper called Josephine's Journal.

If the print is to small you can like the pic and it will open in another window and you can zoom.