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Archiver > CEMETERY > 1998-04 > 0893215586


From: GLENGRACE <>
Subject: Re: [CEMETERY-L] Locating lost graves?
Date: Tue, 21 Apr 1998 23:26:26 EDT


David: I have been restoring a cemetery here in Everett for 15 years. The
biggest problem I have is people. Beofre you do anything be sure you have the
legal right to work on the cem. Ask for volunteers. Maybe a local group will
help. Its a big job by yourself.

Here is what I would do.:

1. get a plot map of the cem (very important). try do define the size,
where the corners are. If you can get some survey help locate the 4 corners.
2. Most graves face east and west. they are about 4' apart. They were
always buried in a line. Try to establish those lines. . Use a probe to
try to find additional tombstones in that line. They dont sink that far.
Maybe 2' at the most. Metal detectors are no help. There may not have benn
any stones there. I found about 40 tombstones in a 5 acre cem but it took me
2 yrs. They were always in a row. Graves sink after time. If you dont
disturbe the soil you should see indents in the ground where someone is
buried. Dont let anyone fill them in as you will forget where they are very
soon. Mark them.
3. You need help uprighting tombstones. They must be cemented to the base.
Dont do it by yourself. Maybe the local person selling tombstones would
volunteer to help. The local funeral home is a great source of records too.

I kind of shotgunned this so If you need more help let me know....glen

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