texas gravestone studies-spring 2015

Texas Gravestone StudiesSaving Texas History, One Cemetery At a Time

Winter 2015

1 | Texas Gravestone Studies

Texas Gravestone StudiesSaving Texas History, One Cemetery at a Time

Spring 2015


Editor:Melissa A. Eiring

Layout Editor:Genevieve Kitterman

Contributors:Sandra Meier

Genevieve KittermanScott J. Baird, Ph.D.

Melissa A. EiringJoe Owen

The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation

Photographers:Melissa A. Eiring

Genevieve KittermanThe Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation

Sandra Bertram

President:Melissa A. Eiring

[email protected] 210-449-4449

To Contribute:[email protected]

or visit www.texasgravestonestudies.org

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced without written

consent of the publisher.

Editor’s Note:

This is the first newsletter produced by the Texas Gravestone Studies (TGS). Those who have been a member from inception will notice one very big change - our name.

We are still a chapter of the nationally recognized group, The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS), but, for marketing value and ease of speech, shortening our name became a necessity.

This volume was intended to introduce us. Many members contributed to this inaugural issue with articles and photographs. The remaining content is intended to spark public interest and to help us save and value our history through the preservation of cemeteries and gravestones.

Cemeteries are more than just places to memorialize our dead; they are works of art that can unite a community through its history and genealogy. Take a walk through one and note the symbolism and names that were once popular.

This is not an exclusive group; anyone can become a member. We welcome all new ideas, resources and opportunities to engage those who want to preserve our cemeteries.

Sincerely,Melissa A. EiringPresident, Texas Gravestones Studies

Cover photo: Rancho Cemetery, Nixon, TX (Gonzales Co.)

Photo credit: Melissa Eiring

Melissa Eiring is an archaeologist who has been exploring cemeteries for as long as she can remember. This picture was taken during one of her many weekend cemetery surveys. Melissa is devoted to research and to public outreach, encouraging the public to recognize cemeteries as historical and cultural resources.

She founded this chapter to share her enthusiasm for preserving historical gravemarkers and to engage other like-minded individuals.


Now Accepting Submissions for the Winter 2015 newsletter.

Suggestions for topics can include, but are not limited to: • General cemetery write-ups• Articles/photographs about symbolism, stone material, genealogy, etc. • Upcoming events in your area • Questions to be answered by the group • Photographs (your own)• Cemetery Association(s) history• Member profiles • Different preservation materials • Concerns about cemetery laws, etc.

Deadline for submissions is September 1st, 2015

You may submit material using this form or you can email: [email protected]. If in doubt of a topic, please contact the President prior to submitting.

Photo: Old Moulton Cemetery (Lavaca Co.) by Genevieve Kitterman


Founded: 2012Current Membership: 60 members. Membership is free.

Current TGS members are preservationists, conservationists, archaeologists, historians, artists, cemetery association leaders, genealogists, applied linguists, history professors and amateur and professional photographers. Representing the fields of religion, art history, genealogy, historic preservation, anthropology, and historical archaeology, we are an experienced blend of all the elements needed for a holistic representation of gravestone caretakers.

Mission: With a heavy emphasis on public outreach, TGS seeks to educate the community in preservation techniques and the study of historical gravemarkers to emphasize their importance to our cultural history. At every opportunity, TGS cooperates and aids other groups or individuals that have similar interests or require assistance in all matters cemetery and gravestone related. TGS encourages historical exploration and research, the preservation and conservation of gravestone material and cemetery land, and the study and interpretation of data and information discovered.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TxAgsWebsite: www.texasgravestonestudies.org

About Texas Gravestone Studies

Help us grow the TGS by becoming an active participant!

We are looking for dedicated volunteers to handle membership applications, cemetery clean-ups, meeting planning, newsletter editing and other organizational tasks.


Annual Cemetery Preservation Meetingby Melissa Eiring

The Texas Gravestone Studies Annual Meeting was held in Nacogdoches, Texas on October 11, 2014. Organized by Perky Biesel, the meeting started with an evening tour of Sand Hill Cemetery by the association leader. Those brave enough to stand in the rain, were provided with an educational and insightful topic on recent ground penetrating radar results (GPR). GPR has quickly become a popular and vastly utilized method in locating unmarked graves, headstones and burial vaults.

GPR mapping is a non-intrusive, sub-surface imaging that looks underground to develop a picture profile of what lays beneath the surface. GPR can also locate lost or available grave space, verify casket positioning and markers that have been moved - information that is very important to know in our ever-growing and over-populated cemeteries.

Even more significantly, cemeteries that have missing or destroyed burial records can utilize GPR to produce a composite site map of the area that would include grave locations, positions and their depth. The Geophysical survey report (AGR 2012-1) for Sand Hill Cemetery can be viewed in its entirety here.

An excerpt from the report with figures: The purpose of this project was to use ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to identify potential unmarked burials at the Sand Hill cemetery in Nacogdoches County, Texas. Data collection at the Sand Hill Cemetery was 10,650 m2 (2.6 acres). The survey located 120 unmarked graves at the Sand Hill Cemetery… Any excavation for new graves in or near areas with possible unmarked graves, as identified in this report, should proceed with caution.

Example of a GPR profile from the Sand Hill Cemetery showing the locations of several burials.

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. This nondestructive method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (UHF/VHF frequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR can have applications in a variety of media, including rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures.

GPR & Cemeteries:Encountering unmarked or improperly marked graves can be difficult. While headstones and markers are normally positioned over burial sites, these makers can be lost or miss-positioned as time passes. There is often no surface evidence of the burial location. Even if markers are present they may be inaccurately positioned. The challenge is to explore the subsurface without disturbing the soil.

A grave is a relatively well defined target, the size is typically 0.5 by 2m and depth is normally less than 2m. Further, the act of excavating the soil for burial radically disturbs the natural soil structure.

GPR can locate and mark immediate zone of interest identification. Once the data were collected, it could be presented in map and 3D form on site.

http://www.vice.com/read/meet-the-man-scanning-the-ground-for-bones-126


Marked and Unmarked graves at Sand Hill Cemetery

GPR Slice 4 showing data from 2.5-3.5 feet (0.75-1.07 meters) below the ground surface.


Texas Gravestone Studies is declaring

the month of May:

Texas CemeteryPreservation &

Awareness MonthThis will be the month to focus activities towards

preservation, surveys and education.

TGS encourages you to explore a local cemetery for any one of these activity opportunities:

1. Adopt a gravestone2. Write an ancestor3. Adopt a cemetery4. Provide much needed help in cemetery surveys


ADOPT-A-GRAVEAnyone can adopt a gravestone!

To do so requires minimum work:All you need to do is photograph and transcribe the stone. There is no need to clean the stone directly.

You can adopt-a-gravestone for the month or maintain for an entire year. No restoration is required. You can leave flowers or notes to the individual and even do some genealogical research. You never know the unique history of the person behind the stone!

What does “Adopt-A-Grave” mean?

Clean I clean or set the stone?

What do I do with the information I find during my

research?

Write an ancestor

It is a lot of fun for a cemetery enthusiast to come across a letter or note that has been left graveside. Take a walk through your favorite cemetery and pick a stone that “speaks” to you. You do not have to know this person or their family. You can research this individual or just decide who they were based on their gravestone information and symbols. Write them about your day or use your imagination to tell their life story. Leave the note in a jar, attached to a nearby tree, or gently buried. How nice for the next individual who takes interest in that stone to discover that someone cared enough to leave a note!

Oak Grove Cemetery, (Nacogdoches)


ADOPT-A-CEMETERYAnyone can adopt a cemetery!

A cemetery can be adopted by Boy or Girl Scout Troops, businesses, churches, families or individuals.

Take a photo of your cemetery before and after any maintenance.

Wear your TGS t-shirts!

The individual(s) or group(s) with the most dramatic difference will be recognized at the annual meeting and featured in the next newsletter.

What does “Adopt-A-Cemetery” mean?

Clean I clean or set the stone?

What do I have to do first?

What do I do with the information I find during my research?

Visit our website for guidelines, tips and suggestions!


Why start a Survey Project?According to the Texas Historical Commission (THC), Texas has approximately 50,000 public cemeteries. Do you know how many of those known cemeteries have been accurately transcribed, photographed and formally recorded? We don’t either. Most cemeteries are endangered due to their lack of historic context and knowledge of their presence or exact location. No one knows their own backyards like Texans and TGS needs your help. We are starting a statewide survey project and, with the help of our members and many volunteers, we can eventually know the locations of all burials and the information the gravestones convey.Cemeteries are among the most valuable of historic resources, revealing information about historic events, religions, lifestyles, and genealogy. Unfortunately, historic cemeteries do not necessarily remain permanent reminders of our heritage. They are subject to long-term deterioration from natural forces, neglect, development activities and construction projects, vandalism and theft, etc. Texas history is under threat. A survey project will let us know where cemeteries are, which ones are under potential threat of extinction, and which cemeteries take priority. If not recorded and cared for, the information and reminders of these individuals and families will be lost.

How is this different from Find A Grave?Websites like Find A Grave are wonderful resources for genealogy enthusiasts and family members who live a great distance from their ancestral family plots. They allow for instant visualization of a stone that provides names, dates, and epitaph language, but they do not tell us a cemetery’s entire story.This suvery project is intended to create a comprehensive understanding of the gravestones and their future needs.

Information we hope to obtain:

1. Names2. Birth/death/marriage dates

3. Cemetery/County4. Genealogy links

5. Symbolism trends6. Stone Material

7. Stone dimensions8. Stone deterioration

9. Environmental conditions (vegetation, animal activity, etc.)

10. Grave goods11. Vandalism

12. GPS coordinates13. Local area activity

14. Ethnic and cultural diversity of area15. Inscription styles16. Religious trends

17. Gender and social trends18. Linguistic trends

19. Carver/Monument companies20. Monument type

21. Unknown historically significant individuals

22. SO MUCH MORE!!!

Texas CemeterySurvey Project


Because deterioration and environmental conditions are a serious threat.

Photo taken in 2007 Photo taken in 2015

Photo taken in 2009 Photo taken in 2015

Why is this important?


Why is this important?

Because monuments don’t exist because someone died; monuments exist because someone lived.


On January 7th, 2015 I surveyed Rancho Cemetery in Nixon, Gonzales County, Texas and recorded 239 burials. When comparing my results to existing information, multiple discrepancies were discovered. But these discrepancies can be easily fixed.

A cemetery survey is more than just recording names and dates. A survey helps us understand a cemetery as a whole, providing information about the material used to make individual markers, their condition, surrounding vegetation, epitaphs and iconography.

This survey project is a perfect way to double-check the information already out there, contribute data about the individual gravestones, while assessing the future needs of our cemeteries.

After a survey, we now know so much more about this cemetery:

• 71 different family names were found along with 10 unknown individuals.

• 77 gravestones had titles: » Father (16.88%) » Mother (22.07%) » Son (10.3%) » Wife (7%) » There were also more unusual titles

like “The Chief”, three Reverendsand a pioneer doctor!

• 72% of the stones are granite• The most popular stone styles are the

headstone, block/flush and bevel marker • Floral iconography dominated the symbols

with 53% but praying hands, heavenly gates, Woodsmen of the World (WOW), flying doves and lambs were also recorded.

• 18 stones had grave goods varying from toy trucks to cloth flowers

How can I be involved?All you need is this form, a pencil, and camera. You can utilize a GPS app if you want to provide additional information. This project is a symbiotic relationship - your involvement helps us understand the needs of Texas cemeteries in real time, and in return, you can learn about stone material, iconography, cultural trends, etc. We are here to help and educate in any way possible! Mobile App coming soon!Check out our website for more information and an example of cemetery surveying and the information attained! If you come across a cemetery and would just like to let us know the status, click here.

Survey Exampleby Melissa Eiring


Gravemarker Languageby Scott J. Baird, Ph. D.

No matter what the spoken language (English, German, Japanese, Indonesian, etc.) the carved messages on gravemarkers tell tantalizingly incomplete stories. An ideal gravemarker, for example, is limited to only eleven semantics bits – eleven pieces of information that the family of the deceased wishes to tell whomever bothers to read its story.

This information includes: (1) the name of the deceased, (2) the date on which the person was born, (3) the geographic location at which the person was born, (4) the date on which the person died, (5) the geographic location at which the person died, (6) kinship (family relationship to the writer – or writers - of the gravemarker), (7) a stylized epitaph, (8) a creative epitaph, (9) lodge and/or religious affiliation, (10) occupation, (11) and means of death.

Envision this:

I created this epitaph for illustration purposes. The woman is my maternal grandmother. Her actual gravemarker includes only her name, birth date, and death date. But what a story we have if all the semantic markers are included. We can really envision the woman.


Now here is a secret. I have never seen such a complete gravemarker - one that includes all eleven semantic bits. I have seen all of these semantic bits. Many times. But never on a single gravemarker. I have no explanation as to why all eleven are not used. I used to tell my students that it would be fascinating to find such a gravemarker. Nonetheless, I have yet to find - or been apprised of - a semantically complete gravemarker.

But let us be a bit more precise about these semantic bits:

Gravemarker Language (continued)

Name: This information usually includes both a first and last name, but sometimes only the last; and sometimes it includes a nickname, like “Ree” for “Marie.” (Adult friends referred to my grandmother as “Ree.”)

*Birth date: Usually just an abbreviated form (03.13.1891), but often complete as given above.

*Birth place: Not very common after World War I; quite common during the last third of the 19th century, especially among immigrants.

*Death Date: The second most common entry on gravemarkers; second only to the deceased person’s name.

*Death Place: Usually, but not always, found in conjunction with a birth place.

*Kinship: This information takes two forms: a marriage date, especially on a shared gravemarker, and actual terms such as “wife,” “husband,” “mother,” etc.

*Stylized Epitaph: Usually, but not always, religious in nature: RIP (or Rest in Peace), “Together with our Lord,” etc.

Creative Epitaph: My favorite is found on a gravemarker for twice-married Llewellyn Smith here in San Antonio:

“Sleeps, but rests not. Loved, but was loved not.

Tried to please, but pleased not.Died, as she lived - alone.”

*Lodge and/or Religious Affiliation: This information, more often than not is conveyed through symbols: a cross, the Star of David, a Masonic symbol, etc. And, of course, if the gravemarker is in a religious or Lodge cemetery, the affiliation is implied, if not expressed outright.

*Occupation: This information can either take the form of a title - before the Name (Rev., Dr.) or after (PhD, M.D) – or it can be written out: Pastor, Doctor, etc. And, of course, if the gravemarker is in a military cemetery, the occupation is implied.

*Cause of Death: If given, the cause is usually a violent or unexpected death.


Gravemarker Language (continued)

Five of these semantics bits - name, death date, birth date, kinship, and creative epitaphs - constitute a linguistic universal. These five consistently occur in all languages inscribed on gravemarkers. Moreover, in all languages they appear in a predictable sequence: if only one item is present, that item is the name. If two, then name and death date. If three, then name, death date, and birth date (or age at death). If four, then name, death date, birth date, and kinship terminology. And if five, then name, death date, birth date, kinship terminology, and creative epitaph.

In spite of popular first person epitaphs (I TOLD YOU I WAS SICK), almost all gravemarker language is written by survivors expressing their grief through a third person voice (A DEVOTED WIFE, MOTHER, AND GRANDMOTHER).

For detailed explanations of this information, refer to www.scottbairdphd.com. Unfortunately, little scholarly analysis of creative epitaphs has been published. For interesting links for choosing stylized epitaphs, google “gravemarker epitaph professional research.”

About Scott J. Baird:Trinity University, Professor Emeritus at Trinity University (Applied Linguistics). Ph.D. in Linguistics, University of Texas, Austin, 1969; Fellow in Linguistics, Oxford University, Spring 2007. High School and University Professor, Japan, 1961-1964, 1969-1974. Author of four books on linguistics, he has presented dozens of professional articles at academic conferences – half of which have been published in professional journals. In non-academic work, he wrote over two thousand newspaper columns in a Japanese newspaper and over 150 columns on South Texas dialects in a San Antonio newspaper. He also, for twenty years, co-sponsored a booth on the Origin of Family names at the Texas Folklife Festival. He serves as an Associate Member of the Texas’s Bexar County Historical Commission. For the past three years he has been working on cemetery vandalism: physical, documentary, and psychological.

Do you have a favorite epitaph? What is the most unique epitaph you’ve seen?

Let us know!

Photo by Am Ro (flickr.com)


Woodmen of the World Monuments

by The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc.

You’ve seen them, looming tall and stately above other markers in cemeteries, most looking rather like tree trunks with branches removed, logs beneath and a circular logo stating the Latin for ‘Though Silent He Speaks’. Woodmen of the World monuments are found frequently in Texas, even in small family cemeteries. In August 2014, The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. completed the renovation of historic Dunaway Cemetery in Frisco, which features a unique Woodmen marker for George Dunaway.

One of the largest fraternal benefit societies with open membership in the United States, Woodmen of the World was founded in Omaha, Nebraska, by Joseph Cullen Root on June 6, 1890. Policyholders could receive a death benefit including a monument on their gravesite. The practice was discontinued some time ago but the older markers exist all over Texas.

George N. Dunaway’s (1867-1905) monument lay on the ground in forlorn separation from its sunken base, one row of carved logs above ground with more below. Since the restoration, two logs are visible and now support the tall marble tree, level, clean and repointed. The Dunaway monument is unusual in that it has a two-log design with a carved calla lily and ferns on the lower log of the base which faces west. Beautiful vines were carved in the tall stone to decorate the sides of the trunk which features a split top cut into two equal size branches. A plaque with Mr. Dunaway’s memorial and the seal of the Woodmen all enhance the deeply etched bark detail. Even the ends of the “cut” logs are carved with rings to imitate real wood.

As with many Woodmen monuments, the local camp number is engraved (“Camp No. 25”) just below the corporate seal and ‘DUM TACET CLAMAT’. Visitors to Dunaway Cemetery can now fully enjoy the beauty of the family’s grave stones. The ornate fence around the small plot has also been repaired and repainted. A Wayside sign is being planned to describe the history of the family and their role in the pioneer past of Frisco, Texas. The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation, Inc. is proud to partner with local heritage societies such as the Heritage Association of Frisco to protect and preserve our past.

Details on log base with Cala Lily and Ferns


Odd Fellow Cemeteryby Sandra Meier

Sisters Janet Bertram and Sandra Meier were recently photographing a Catholic Cemetery in Anderson, Grimes County, Texas for Find A Grave. While working a local resident stopped by to see what was happening. He was very glad to see that the work was being done to preserve his family legacy. He showed all the connections to his and his wife’s families. The sisters asked if there were other cemeteries in the area that might also need researching. He told them about the Lutheran Cemetery on Hwy 149 and the Odd Fellows Cemetery (IOOF) also on Hwy 149. He related history on both cemeteries. His story of why the cemetery was named Odd Fellows is priceless. He says that when a Catholic and Lutheran or Baptist and Catholic/Lutheran married they could not be buried in their church cemeteries. So they were buried in the “Odd Fellows Cemetery“. He said it was the custom for as long as he could remember. Just love locals and their history.

Where does The Odd Fellows name originate from?

One theory states they were called “odd” because in the beginning of Odd Fellowship in the 18th century, at the time of industrialization, it was rather odd to find people who followed noble values such as benevolence, charity and fraternalism.A variation on that theory states: “The Odd Fellows, at least according to one story, got its curious name from the fact that it was a lodge that opened its doors to the working class who at that time did not ordinarily belong to fraternal orders—and were thus ‘odd’. This may or may not be true…as a good many things get lost in the fog of history.”

Did you know several US Presidents were Odd Fellows?!?!

1. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th U.S. President (1869 – 1877)2. Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th U.S. President (1877 – 1881)3. William McKinley, 25th U.S. President (1897 – 1901)

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President (1933 – 1945) 5. Warren G. Harding, 29th U.S. President (1921 – 1923)

and fun fact:Jesse James, the “Robin Hood of America”,

a legendary figure of the wild west


Founded in England in 1748 and established in the United Stated on April 26, 1819, the Independent Oder of Odd Fellows (IOOF) is now a worldwide altruistic and benevolent fraternity and sorority dedicated to improving and elevating the character of humankind by imparting the principles of friendship, love, and truth. Of the many fraternal organizations you may find referenced on a gravestone, IOOF came by its name honestly- Fellows from Odd Trades who didn’t fit with other fraternal organizations freely joined. Since 1819, the I.O.O.F has claimed more than 10 million members from all walks of life. While dedicated IOOF cemeteries exist, not all IOOF members are buried in IOOF specific grounds.

When the IOOF was founded, they embraced the term Odd Fellow because they were passionate about their mission of tending to the sick and poor. At this time, the late 1700s-early 1800s, only the Odd Fellow would tend to the sick and risk his own life to do so. Today, the IOOF is still an active organization with chapters across the US with 8 chapters in Texas. The only requirements to join the organization are (1) being a man or woman of good character, of any race, nationality, and social status, who is loyal to his or her country and (2) believes in a Supreme Being, the creator and preserver of the Universe. Odd Fellowship strictly forbids any interference with one’s religious beliefs or political opinions.

Initially, the IOOF was open solely to men. Women could join The Rebekahs, a “sister” group of the IOOF.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows

Anson Jones, 4th and last President of the Republic of Texas (1844-1846)

The symbol of IOOF is the Three Links and, within each link, is a letter. The first link, F, represents Friendship.

The second link, L, represents Love.The third link, T, represents Truth.


International Association of Rebekah Assemblies

Established on September 20, 1851, the general duties of the members of the Rebekahs are, “To live peaceably, do good unto all, as we have opportunity and especially to obey the Golden Rule, Whatsoever ye would that others should do unto you, do ye even so unto them.”

The Rebekahs modeled their actions based on characters of notable woman in Biblical history famous for their loyalty, patriotism, for civic and national services, for humanitarianism, and for devotion to God and the cause of righteousness among mankind.

The Rebekah Degree ceremony is illustrated by distinctive symbols:• The Beehive represents collective industry.• The Moon and Seven Stars represents the order of the universe of God and nature, and

the value of regularity in all worthy undertakings.• The Dove represents peace and promotes “Peace on earth and good will to men.”• The Lily, an emblem of purity, symbolizes the purity of character, of thought, of word, and of

action.

Notable Rebekahs:• Lucy Hobbs Taylor, first female dentist.• Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady of the United States.• Bina West, one of the leaders of the Ladies of the Macabees in 1920.

For more information:www.ioof.org

www.phoenixmasonry.orgwww.oddfellows.co.uk

www.iooftx.org

Photo by Douglas M. Rife


Our Mother and Cemeteriesby Sandra Bertram Meier and Janet Bertram

When Melissa asked for articles for the upcoming issue of our newsletter, we thought, “We can do that.” But what would anyone be interested in that we have to write about? Then we remembered all the times spent in cemeteries all around Texas with our mother.

Norma Davidson Bertram was a great lady. She loved life and was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She lived almost 89 years and lived each minute happy and lovingly. In April 2013, mother died and went to Heaven to join our Daddy. She was ready to go tell him all about the world and tell him stories about his family left on earth. And one of those stories will surely be about her love of cemetery work with us.

In 2004, Janet and I discovered findagrave.com on the internet and our “careers” began. It became a passion for all three of us to spend at least one Saturday a month photographing cemeteries in Jasper County, Texas, near mothers home. She would be up early, pack us a lunch, some snacks, plenty of water and a jug of iced tea and be ready to go. Eventually our territory grew to all of East Texas, Montgomery County, Grimes County and all places in between.

We believe that everyone needs to be remembered and findagrave.com offers us a place to honor those who have gone before us. Mother had a special bag she carried with all the tools she would need to clean stones, cut grass, and move debris. It was her “duty” to work in front of us to have the stones ready for photographing. When we had a broken stone, we had mother kneel behind the stone and hold it together for that perfect photo. She was a little lady and could hide behind most to the stones.

Mother loved to read stones and connect families together in her mind. She would walk over many acres with us and never complain. If she got tired, she would sit in her chair or once we found her on a blanket, behind a big tombstone - sound asleep.


Our Mother and Cemeteries , continued

She was stung by a scorpion while moving grass. Stuck by many rose bush thorns. She worked in the rain one day - holding an umbrella - so we could finish the last few rows of stones. It was also a favorite thing for her to locate the cemetery dumping grounds and look for good flowers. So many were still usable and she would “recycle” the flowers to old friends and sometimes to a grave that looked totally abandon - where no one was visiting any longer.

We had many picnics among the graves. Sometimes with a blanket on the ground, sometimes using a bench for our table. We would eat and talk about everything. And laughter was always a part of our day. Most always with tears falling we were laughing so hard.

As time went by, Mother’s eyesight got worse, but this did not stop her love for working in the cemeteries. We would watch as she would clear away dirt and grass and read the stones. She would use her fingers to trace the letters and dates to know what the stone said. She never complained and loved being outside with us.

The countless hours spent with Mother walking and working among the graves, are priceless. We have so many special memories. We still walk and photograph cemeteries - but our cleaning lady is deeply missed. We think about her with every photo taken.

Do you have a special love one who you could share time with doing something so very different? Don’t lose a minute of the time you can have together. Make wonderful memories. Life is short - we never know when the end will come. Don’t miss anything!!!

About the Bertram Sisters:

Janet and Sandra are sisters who live in Montgomery, Texas near Conroe. They have been working to photograph complete cemeteries and place the inventories along with the pictures on Findagrave.com for almost 10 years.

The numbers of memorial and photographs are not the reason for their work. They have a compulsion to make the information available to families who have “misplaced” a love one. Several “Lost and Found” stories are in their memory bank.

They have a wonderful PowerPoint presentation that they love to show everyone about their work and how to get started helping others. Find A Grave is a type of cemetery preservation that cannot be destroyed by fire, flood, or falling trees. The record is there on the World Wide Web for all to see. Contact them at [email protected] or [email protected] if you are interested in having them come speak to your group.


Recommended ReadingGalveston’s Broadway Cemeteries

by Kathleen Shanahan Maca

“Galveston's Broadway Cemeteries" will be out from Arcadia Press in June 2015. The Broadway Cemetery Historic District on the main thoroughfare of Galveston is actually a grouping of seven historic cemeteries grouped in a six block area. With burials dating back to 1839, its residents include soldiers from every war since 1812, politicians, rogues, artists, millionaires and paupers. "Galveston's Broadway Cemeteries" gathers the stories and photos of some of these fascinating people to give a glimpse back in time to enjoy the diverse population of this port city. 128 pages.

“I love cemeteries,” said Maca. “I love history and I love stories. In this cemetery, you can match a lot of the people with their historic home that’s still standing in town. You can see where they lived. I want to know every single one of those stories.” GM, 2015, p. 62.

Galveston’s Broadway Cemeteries will be available at the Galveston Book Shop at 317 23rd Street, at the Galveston Historical Foundation’s retail outlets, Barnes and Noble and

on Amazon. If you’d like to inquire about a book signing, contact [email protected].

For additional information and interview with the author, see the Galveston Monthly, January 2015, page 60-62. Photographs (left and above) courtesy of Katherine Adams.

Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography

by Douglas Keister (Photographer)

Cemeteries are virtual encyclopedias of symbolism. Engravings on tombstones, mausoleums and memorials tell us just about everything there is to know about a person- date of birth and death as well as religion, ethnicity, occupation, community interests, and much more. In the fascinating new book Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism by noted author Douglas Keister, the secrets of cemetery symbolism are finally revealed.

Stories in Stone provides history along with images of a wide variety of common and not-so-common cemetery symbols, and offers an in-depth examination of stone relics and the personal and intimate details they display-flora and fauna, religious icons, society symbols, and final impressions of how the deceased wished to be remembered.

Douglas Keister has created a practical field guide that is compact and portable, perfect for those interested in family histories and genealogical research, and is the only book of its kind that unlocks the language of symbols in a comprehensive and easy-to-understand manner.


Recommended Reading (continued)

Plano’s Historic Cemeteries By The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation

On September 22, 2014 The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation celebrated the publication of “Plano’s Historic Cemeteries”. The book, published by Arcadia Publishing, tells the story of Plano’s pioneer cemeteries. The cemeteries include; Baccus, Bethany, Bowman, Plano Mutual, Collinsworth, Young and Rowlett Creek. The book also includes the historic Routh and Frankford Cemeteries, which are not in the Plano city limits but have historical ties to the community. The Plano of today would not be recognizable to the pioneers who settled this section of the black land prairie. Arriving in the early 1840’s, these colonists from Tennessee and Kentucky were captivated by Texas Governor Sam Houston’s stump speeches about the rich, fertile farmland of North Texas. All of their frontier cemeteries, large and small, are now surrounded by golf courses, subdivisions and commercial development. The final resting places of Plano’s pioneers still exist because of the hard work of cemetery associations, civic groups, concerned citizens, the City of Plano Parks

Department, and the Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation. These silent spaces hold a wealth of history that helps tell the story of Plano’s beginnings as a rural farming community. The book was written by members of The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation; Co-Director Jeff Campbell, Board Member & Cemetery Committee President Candace Fountoulakis and Cemetery Committee Member Kirby Stokes. The Plano Conservancy for Historic Preservation has been zealous in their years of service, preserving the history and heritage of Plano, Texas. The Conservancy has made cemetery preservation a cornerstone of their work. “Plano’s Historic Cemeteries” is available from Amazon - available in paperback and Kindle, Arcadia Publishing, or Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

The Graveyard Book

By Neil Gaiman

In The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman has created a charming allegory of childhood. Although the book opens with a scary scene--a family is stabbed to death by "a man named Jack” --the story quickly moves into more child-friendly storytelling.

The sole survivor of the attack--an 18-month-old baby--escapes his crib and his house, and toddles to a nearby graveyard. Quickly recognizing that the baby is orphaned, the graveyard's ghostly residents adopt him, name him Nobody ("Bod"), and allow him to live in their tomb.

Taking inspiration from Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Gaiman describes how the toddler navigates among the headstones, asking a lot of questions and picking up the tricks of the living and the dead. In serial-like episodes, the story follows Bod's progress as he grows from baby to teen, learning life’s lessons amid a cadre of the long-dead, ghouls, witches, intermittent human interlopers.

A pallid, nocturnal guardian named Silas ensures that Bod receives food, books, and anything else he might need from the human world. Whenever the boy strays from his usual play among the headstones, he finds new dangers, learns his limitations and strength, and acquires the skills he needs to survive within the confines of the graveyard and in wider world beyond.


Book ReviewTexas Burial Sites of Civil War Notables: A Biographical and Pictorial Field GuideBy James A. Mundie, Jr. et al.Review by Joe Owen

This excellent book is compelling and comprehensive and tells the story of those Texans who played leading roles during America's Civil War. This book is the result of years of research, travelling, and photographing the gravesites of those notable Texans who were involved in one capacity or another during the Civil War.

Feathered in the book are more than 600 of the most "notable" Civil War era leaders who are buried in Texas. The men and women covered are both Union and Confederates, including politicians, generals, naval officers, authors, newspaper editors, and civilians who played a part in the Civil War.

It is outstandingly illustrated with great photos of the tombstones of those notable Texans. From Texas founder and Governor Sam Houston, to Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston who was killed at Shiloh, to Sergeant Val Giles of the 5th Texas (Hood's Texas Brigade), to other soldiers, lawmen, mayors, and senators are covered as well. Others include Texas hero Dick Dowling a Houston Saloonkeeper born in Ireland who became famous for his defense of Sabine Pass, to the highest ranking Hispanic Confederate Laredo's Santos Benavides, they and many, many more are noted in this very interesting book.

"Texas Burial Sites of Civil War Notables- A Biographical and Pictorial Field Guide" is the first illustrated field guide ever published of the burial places of a state's Civil War leaders.

The biographies are in the following fashion: Civil War Service; Born; Died; Occupation Pre-war and Post War; Other; Buried; Grave Location; References (an interesting section which can lead a researcher or leader to other books about the person listed-a VALUABLE resource).

The explanation of the categories is as follows:- Generals of the USA or CSA Armies- Colonels of the USA or CSA Armies- Generals and colonels of Texas State Troops- High-Ranking naval officers, USA or CSA- Civil War veterans and government officials for whom counties in Texas are named- Civil War veterans and government officials who served as governor of Texas, or in Congress- Civil War veterans who received the Medal of Honor for their wartime service- Civil War veterans who were authors, or who had a book written about them- Longest living centenarians- Delegates to the Texas Secession Convention- Other notable or unique Civil War figures.

This is an EXCELLENT RESOURCE of information that is fascinating to read and can help a Civil War historian, scholar, or enthusiast understand more about the men and women from Texas and their role in the Civil War. Texas is the only book that has this type of information in one book thus far (as of December 2013). Hopefully, other states who were in the Civil War will have authors who do the same work and compile a book of Civil War notables and their grave sites. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Found on abebooks.com and through the Texas State Historical Association.


The Association for Gravestone Studies

The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) was founded in 1977 for the purpose of furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. AGS is an international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all periods and styles. Through its publications, conferences, workshops and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals and groups to record and preserve gravestones. At every opportunity, AGS cooperates with groups that have similar interests.Membership benefits include the AGS Quarterly magazine, and a monthly e-newsletter. Both feature articles, book reviews, research material, and items of general interest to AGS members. Members also receive Markers: Annual Journal of the Association for Gravestone Studies; discounts on AGS publications and access to the research clearinghouse. AGS has approximately 1,000 members worldwide, including members in England, Scotland, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Japan and Brazil. Membership categories are discussed further in the membership page.

Save the Date!AGS holds an annual conference the third week in June. This conference, held in a different location each year, features lectures, demonstrations, exhibits, conservation and documentation workshops, classroom sessions, slide presentations, and guided cemetery tours. The 2015 AGS Conference will be held at Westfield State University in Westfield, Massachusetts from June 23rd - 28th.


Contact:[email protected]

www.texasgravestonestudies.orgwww.facebook.com/TxAGS

TEXAS GRAVESTONE STUDIES

texas gravestone studies-spring 2015

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