Cemetery Preservation

ften, cemetery markers are the only hard evidence remaining of the lives of our ancestors, and even these are slowly wearing away over the years. I will admit to a certain fascination with exploring old cemeteries, and I have often found markers that tell stories of other people's families as well as my own.

This page shows some pictures related to the preservation or restoration of old cemeteries. This will always be something of interest only to a few of us, but for those who care it is a very worthwhile activity. Visiting the grave of a distant ancestor is a way to connect to the past and to acknowledge that this person existed and has not been forgotten.

Brick Union, Fleming Co., Kentucky

Brick Union Cemetery in Fleming Co., KY as it looked in about 1995. It was hardly recognizable as a cemetery and was hidden in the trees and underbrush that had grown up through it.

Brick Union after a major cleanup effort by the Fleming County Historical Society. Keeping the weeds down is a continuing problem, but at least the trees have been cleared out.

Maplewood Cemetery, Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio

A site in Maplewood Cemetery in Ripley, OH. This marker had been lying on the ground for a long time, but looked to be easily restorable.

The marker has been leveled and restored to its correct position. It is now readable on all sides.

Old Washington, Mason Co., Kentucky

The Lewis Gordon family site in about 1993. Some stones were broken off, others were leaning or sinking.

The restored site as it looks in 2003. Most of the headstones and footstones were recoverable and have been repositioned.

An interesting story is told on these headstones in the Old Washington Cemetery. Abigail Johnston, wife of Dr. John Johnston, died Nov. 27, 1806 at age 37. Next to her is the grave of an infant, also named Abigail, who died Dec. 31, 1806 at six weeks of age. This was a true tragedy, with the mother dying in childbirth and the child, named for her, following her to the grave a few weeks later. Incidentally, another child of Dr. Johnston was Albert Syndney Johnston, who gained fame as a general for the Confederacy in the Civil War. He was killed at the Battle of Shiloh.