(To get the whole story, you really must read clear to the end.)
A GENEALOGIST IN A CEMETERY By Lora Rose, member of the Northeast Washington Genealogcial Society, Colville, WA.
So what’s the difference between a genealogist in a cemetery and a cemetery caretaker? This doesn’t come with a punchline. The answer is Family History Stories and Pedigrees.
My husband was introduced to his Rose family second cousins in 2007 as a result of my research. Turns out the Rose family had come to western Oregon in 1856 with a small group of family members. It was a merging of two individuals whose spouses died and a new marriage created – his, hers and soon to be ours. The Rose family farm near Lebanon, Oregon sets on the Santiam River and was honored as a 100 year farm in August 1976. A surviving member still lives there.
So what does that have to do with cemeteries? We began a new tradition with three Rose siblings who knew the people of the area and their family stories. After the family reunion, we tramped through cemeteries in search of grave markers from lists I had created. One day was spent, Harv would drive, Martha and Alice would tell stories and answer questions. These cousins were 10-20 years our senior, so as we walked the cemetery a story or interesting tidbit of those interred was offered up to the group. It was a joyous occasion, sharing history from those who knew it best. These three were blessed to have their father live to be 106. At 102, he still maintained a roadside vegetable stand from his garden. His mind was clear and his body sturdy from a lifetime of work. His name was Russ.
On one occasion, I was looking for the 1st wife of Ron’s great grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Rose. T.J. married Virginia Crabtree in April 1870 and she died in February 1871. Cause of death unknown, but we can guess. She was buried at Franklin Butte Cemetery in Scio, Oregon. We walked the grounds thoroughly in 2007 and never found her grave. Lots of stories told, other markers filmed, but a sort of sadness prevailed in not finding “her final resting place”.
I was new to genealogy and on a steep learning curve. I read everything I could get my hands on, attended every educational class, group or session and talked non-stop about family….mine, his, ours. The next summer, another family reunion was planned and I had my list of cemeteries. Franklin Butte was first on the list with new collateral relatives. That day my eye caught a plain, cement poured grave marker. Virginia Rose 1850-1871. A small yell escaped me! Look what I found. It’s her! The kind folks at the cemetery association had made and laid a marker for Virginia. I felt relieved and somehow closer to her. Grief once surrounded this spot, but joy pushed it aside that day. That moment stuck in the back of my mind.
Forward to 2015 and Evergreen Cemetery in Colville, Washington. I’ve been working with Gordy Struve over the last year to memorialize those interred at Evergreen Cemetery on our Northeast Washington Genealogical Society web site. With over 600 known burials, it is a big project done mostly in the wet, cold and low light months. I’m starting to know the people, their families and their stories. Spring and summer provides physical work at the cemetery. Over time we’ve had work parties to clean the grounds, limb or cut down trees & brush, fix fence, roads & grave markers, install signage and other duties as assigned. A weed whacker is my tool—I’ve cleaned the north half of Stevens County with various forms of this beast, but I can be tender and exacting as a surgeon. When the soil turns to dust, I’ve spent a bit of time bringing the graves out of their hiding places. Genealogists thrive on mysteries, always looking for a clue….and unmarked graves leave clues, sometimes depressions, sometimes mounds, often a lilac bush stump at the head of the grave or perhaps a large stone. Most markers face east and you can pick out the grid-like pattern of plots and graves by looking end to end through the cemetery. I start at the head of the grave, gently teasing the next rock that lines the oval shape of the grave. Exposing only the tops, I continue around until……another grave is accounted for. Our previous generations used to completely cover a grave with stones or most often just put them on the rim of grave.
Remember the plain, cement poured grave marker of Virginia (Crabtree) Rose? I thought about it as I weed whacked the grass and brush in preparation for Memorial Day. Wonder how the good folks at Franklin Butte Cemetery made it. After a Google search, I came on upon a web site that was just what I was looking for…..a form made of 3/16” ABS, rubber letters and numerals.…complete with pouring instructions. The man who owned the business had personally poured over 300 markers, mostly for pets, but gave helpful tips. I poured my first marker, and then another, then another. So far I’ve poured and set 10 markers this fall. All it takes is a moment that sticks in your mind!
P.S. From Donna: Yes, Lora really did make that very professional looking cement grave marker for Fredrick Padberg as well as ten others and I know she won’t be done until all the known graves that do not have a marker do have one. What an example to the rest of us!