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Archiver > ANDERSON > 2001-04 > 0986307750


From: Bobbie Meridieth <>
Subject: [ANDERSON-L] Cemetary Troubles
Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 09:22:30 -0500


I know that the following may not directly pertain to alot of us, but
non the less, it is very important and we should do what we can to help
anyone in their search related or not. I hope this will move you to at
least email these folks.

Thank You
Bobbie Meridieth

The following article is from Eastman's Online Genealogy
Newsletter and is copyright 2001 by Richard W. Eastman. It is
re-published here with the permission of the author.

- Milwaukee Cemetery To Be Desecrated

This week I received an e-mail from Evelyn Oliveras that expressed
concerns about the plans of the Milwaukee County (Wisconsin) Board
of Supervisors. They reportedly plan to dig up all the graves at
the Milwaukee County Poor Farm cemetery, place all the remains in
one box and then bury those remains someplace else.

The Milwaukee County Poor Farm began operation in November of 1852
with 24 people housed in a remodeled farmhouse. It remained in
operation until the early twentieth century with additional
buildings and a hospital constructed as the indigent population
grew. You can find more information about the Poor Farm at "Jen's
Photo Scrapbook Of the Milwaukee County Poorhouse" at:
http://www.poorhousestory.com/WISC_PhotoScrapbook.htm

Here is the message from Evelyn Oliveras:

I need the help of each one of you who feels as strongly as I
do about cemetery desecration. We have a county cemetery
called Potter's field or sometimes referred to as Milwaukee
County Poor Farm which is about to be desecrated by the county
Board of Supervisors. They say they will dig up all the
remains, place them in one box and move them to another
location. These poor people were already buried on top of each
other originally, and the whole thing is very sad to those of
us who care.

I am in the process of transcribing the burial registers to
post on the web, but it is a long difficult process with
different handwriting, etc. I have a full time job and family
as well, but I devote what time I can to it.

The County says that they've had no objections from the public
and I say it is because no one really knows about it. I didn't
even know about the open forum they had to discuss this and
other issues until after it was over. They plan to make their
move within a month, so I am beginning to panic.

What I do need is for as many of you as will to email or snail
mail them and let them know that the eyes of the rest of the
world are on them. I have protested this type of behavior in
all different countries as well as all over the U.S. and I
know those emails counted.

A friend in Finland has protested at every opportunity, and
it's wonderful to let them know genealogy has united us all in
an effort to preserve our heritage, our country and our
ancestors. And these people are someone's ancestors. Milwaukee
was an important Great Lakes Port and many people entered
through here from all over. Many of the names are German, but
when you have 7-10 thousand names, you've covered most every
nationality.

Please help us by letting the Milwaukee County Board of
Supervisors know how we collectively feel about this. I have
faith that our group can move mountains. Please help us push.

Mr. Tom Ament is the gentleman who appears to be in charge of
this cemetery project and Karen Ordinans is the Director of
the Board. You can see her Web page at:
http://www.co.milwaukee.wi.us/ordinans.htm.

I did a bit of checking on Evelyn's information. At the bottom of
the Web page that she mentioned, you will find a link to send e-
mail to the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors. The e-mail
address is:

If you share Evelyn Oliveras' concerns, please write to Karen
Ordinans, Director of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors at
. You can contact Evelyn Oliveras at:


I would also suggest that you write to the following news
organizations, some of which may have an interest:

Martin Kaiser, editor of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
newspaper:

Patrick Stiegman, vice president and editor of the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinal, Online Edition:

News Department Metro Desk of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinal
newspaper:

Editor of the Shepard Express Metro, a weekly newspaper in
Milwaukee:

Editor of The Business Journal, a weekly business newspaper in
Milwaukee:

Jeff Kiernan of WTMJ News (Channel 4 in Milwaukee):


Kent Wainscott of WISN News (Channel 12 in Milwaukee):
.

News Department at WDJT-TV (Channel 58 in Milwaukee):



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