Here at Granite-in-My-Blood we couldn't possibly pick a "best" season to like hunting for gravestones! It is a 365 day a year vocation. Of course, winter is the least likely to get good, clear shots of the stones and it is harder to get around in cemeteries but it doesn't mean that you can't appreciate the loveliness of the "frosting" of the snow on the stones. [pictured here is the Orange St. Cemetery in Bridgewater, MA]
Spring in new England also has its challenges as the ground can be muddy and the wind can "chill you down to your bones" but with a strong sunny day, you can get some good photos. [pictured here is the Trinity Church Cemetery in Bridgewater, MA]
Fall gravestone adventures is what we are aiming toward in the future. The weeds have died off but the grass is still mowed. If you are smart, you go out before the leaves fall from the trees. Fall is my favorite season but here in New England it is still unpredictable for traveling. It is probably best not to mention the haunting. [pictured here is Pine Grove Cemetery in Hopkinton, RI in early fall taken by Scott Bill Hirst for me]
Summer is all around delightful. The morning are cool and quiet and the camera shutter can take photos at breakneck speed. Last summer, I visited 5 cemeteries in two days and got over 500 photos to research. I am still reading and transcribing gravestones from that trip. [picture here is the lush and beautiful Elm Grove Cemetery in Mystic, CT]
I probably won't get much done this year because we are moving to a new home but I continue to work on locating cemeteries and deciding what gravestone photos to take.
Showing posts with label GYR Carnival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GYR Carnival. Show all posts
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
GYR Scavenger Hunt June, 2010
Graveyard Rabbits Scavenger Hunt June 2010
"Like a traditional scavenger hunt, the object is to find as many items as you can from the list below. In our case, those “items” are to be found in the cemetery, giving us a chance to explore it with a different set of eyes. Then share what you found and where you found it on your blog. Happy hunting!"
I had to only scavenge outside my own collection for one category. As I frequent and photograph mostly older New England graveyards, some of the categories I had to take a few liberties with but I hope you will find them interesting.
Midge
Cross {River Bend Cemetery Westerly, Rhode Island)
Heart (Bay View Cemetery, Sandwich, Massachusetts)
Fraternal Symbol [Odd Fellow] (Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA)
Monument (Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT)
Flower [Nana's Garden] Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA
Hands [Marital Handshake] (Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT)
Hand (Maplewood Cemetery, Marlboro, MA)
Angel (Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA)
Bird [Eagle] (Bay View Cemetery, Sandwich, MA)
Tree {Humpy Nate's deformed gravestone with tree] (Old Packer-Burrows Cemetery, Groton, CT)
Star [star symbol] (Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough, MA)
Obelisk [Jacob Perkins] (Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Bridgewater, MA)
Four-legged Animal (John Whitman Davis's horse. He's alive, the horse is not!) The Farmhouse Cemetery, Stonington, CT
Photo (not in my collection, so here's one from a friend's collection) Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI (which is the city in which I was born!)
Military gravestone [James Albert Barber, Medal of Honor] River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, RI
Mausoleum [Burdick, who is a cousin!] Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT
"Like a traditional scavenger hunt, the object is to find as many items as you can from the list below. In our case, those “items” are to be found in the cemetery, giving us a chance to explore it with a different set of eyes. Then share what you found and where you found it on your blog. Happy hunting!"
I had to only scavenge outside my own collection for one category. As I frequent and photograph mostly older New England graveyards, some of the categories I had to take a few liberties with but I hope you will find them interesting.
Midge
Cross {River Bend Cemetery Westerly, Rhode Island)
Heart (Bay View Cemetery, Sandwich, Massachusetts)
Fraternal Symbol [Odd Fellow] (Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA)
Monument (Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT)
Flower [Nana's Garden] Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA
Hands [Marital Handshake] (Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT)
Hand (Maplewood Cemetery, Marlboro, MA)
Angel (Glenwood Cemetery, Maynard, MA)
Bird [Eagle] (Bay View Cemetery, Sandwich, MA)
Tree {Humpy Nate's deformed gravestone with tree] (Old Packer-Burrows Cemetery, Groton, CT)
Star [star symbol] (Maplewood Cemetery, Marlborough, MA)
Obelisk [Jacob Perkins] (Mt. Prospect Cemetery, Bridgewater, MA)
Four-legged Animal (John Whitman Davis's horse. He's alive, the horse is not!) The Farmhouse Cemetery, Stonington, CT
Photo (not in my collection, so here's one from a friend's collection) Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket, RI (which is the city in which I was born!)
Military gravestone [James Albert Barber, Medal of Honor] River Bend Cemetery, Westerly, RI
Mausoleum [Burdick, who is a cousin!] Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT
Thursday, May 06, 2010
GYR: Rocks with an Owl
Graveyard Rabbits Carnival is: The Interesting, The Odd, The Beautiful.
This is the second gravestone in my collection of photographs which resembles a pile of rocks. It features a scroll with the names of the deceased (not from my family), some ivy leaves and if you look carefully a very cute owl.
This is the second gravestone in my collection of photographs which resembles a pile of rocks. It features a scroll with the names of the deceased (not from my family), some ivy leaves and if you look carefully a very cute owl.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Epitaphs
Graveyard Rabbits Carnival November, 2009
I'm not much for epitaphs as most of the gravestones I have photographed have inscriptions that are hard to read. Many of them are exactly the same or so similar that I have ceased to try to take an extra photo just to read "the fine print".
When "Googled", many turn out to be partially based on Scripture.
I can't imagine any of them on my own gravestone, so how about this for an idea?
Source: Tombstone Generator
I'm not much for epitaphs as most of the gravestones I have photographed have inscriptions that are hard to read. Many of them are exactly the same or so similar that I have ceased to try to take an extra photo just to read "the fine print".
When "Googled", many turn out to be partially based on Scripture.
I can't imagine any of them on my own gravestone, so how about this for an idea?
She worked in the present, using tools of the future, to research the lives of the past.
Source: Tombstone Generator
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
George O. MINER Obituary
Graveyard Rabbits Carnival, July 2009 edition
"Obituaries"
This is the obituary of George Owen MINER. He was the husband of my great grand aunt, Frances Denison STEWART. This obituary is probably from a local paper like The Day [of New London] or The Westerly [RI] Sun. It is not identified or dated. It came to me as a photocopy of many Stewart obituaries cut and pasted into a journal from the North Stonington Historical Society.
The Minor [Miner] family descends from Thomas Minor, a founder of Stonington, who came here from Chew Magna, England.
Although, George O. Miner is not a direct descendant of mine, the information given in this obituary does confirm information for my tree. I was pleased to see that his parents were listed and his wife. The date of their marriage, written in my family Bible, is the same date as listed here. Coincidentally, that is today's date. [117 years ago]. I have found George and Frances listed in the 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 census.
I have not located him in the 1920 census as yet. Reading obituaries and gravestone dates reminds you of the information you have not yet located.
George is listed as a farmer and business partner. They were a well-to-do family in Groton in their day.
Frances and George and their only child, Owen Stewart Miner lived first in the Minor house in Groton [House of Thomas Avery Miner] It is a fine house that stands, renovated, today owned by a physician.
George Owen Minor, his wife Frances Denison Stewart and their son are all buried in the Starr Burying Ground in Groton, CT. [I took these photos on 8 August 2004.] This obituary lists his two grandsons without naming them and as he died in1928, he did not live to see his four granddaughters.
I still have work to accomplish for this branch of my family!
"Obituaries"
This is the obituary of George Owen MINER. He was the husband of my great grand aunt, Frances Denison STEWART. This obituary is probably from a local paper like The Day [of New London] or The Westerly [RI] Sun. It is not identified or dated. It came to me as a photocopy of many Stewart obituaries cut and pasted into a journal from the North Stonington Historical Society.
The Minor [Miner] family descends from Thomas Minor, a founder of Stonington, who came here from Chew Magna, England.
Although, George O. Miner is not a direct descendant of mine, the information given in this obituary does confirm information for my tree. I was pleased to see that his parents were listed and his wife. The date of their marriage, written in my family Bible, is the same date as listed here. Coincidentally, that is today's date. [117 years ago]. I have found George and Frances listed in the 1870, 1880, 1900 and 1910 census.
I have not located him in the 1920 census as yet. Reading obituaries and gravestone dates reminds you of the information you have not yet located.
George is listed as a farmer and business partner. They were a well-to-do family in Groton in their day.
Frances and George and their only child, Owen Stewart Miner lived first in the Minor house in Groton [House of Thomas Avery Miner] It is a fine house that stands, renovated, today owned by a physician.
George Owen Minor, his wife Frances Denison Stewart and their son are all buried in the Starr Burying Ground in Groton, CT. [I took these photos on 8 August 2004.] This obituary lists his two grandsons without naming them and as he died in1928, he did not live to see his four granddaughters.
I still have work to accomplish for this branch of my family!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Heartbroken Granite
Graveyard Rabbit Carnival May 2009
[Topic: Cemetery Preservation]
The Association for Gravestone Studies offers expert information about the repairing of gravestones and the restoration of whole cemeteries and should be the first place to look for information.
If this work is interesting to you, then you should plan to join this organization and attend their yearly conference where you can educate yourself in the proper method of preservation.
Most people are aware that vandalism is a reason for broken gravestones. Some states have laws against vandalism in graveyards.
What many people do not know that you can get arrested for trying to fix a gravestone, make gravestone rubbings or even touch a gravestone to photograph it! This might not always seem be common sense but it is important to know the law and stay out of trouble.
This is the grave of Henry A. Denison that I found in the beautiful and well kept large cemetery in Mystic, CT. As I am assistant to the genealogist for the Denison Society, I am always seeking data from gravestones to add to our database of information.
Naturally, I am also preserving gravestone history by taking photographs of stones. I took this photo on 04 Aug 2007 and when I went back to the cemetery, I discovered that this stone's two pieces had been put back together. That is the true meaning of Perpetual Care. I did not take another photo because I found Henry in the database with his information intact.
The smaller family cemeteries that I visit and photograph are in shockingly bad condition because there may be no single person in charge of that cemetery. As I am no longer young, I don't think I will be taking a course in restoration but feel that I am doing my part by just photographing stones.
[Topic: Cemetery Preservation]
The Association for Gravestone Studies offers expert information about the repairing of gravestones and the restoration of whole cemeteries and should be the first place to look for information.
If this work is interesting to you, then you should plan to join this organization and attend their yearly conference where you can educate yourself in the proper method of preservation.
Most people are aware that vandalism is a reason for broken gravestones. Some states have laws against vandalism in graveyards.
What many people do not know that you can get arrested for trying to fix a gravestone, make gravestone rubbings or even touch a gravestone to photograph it! This might not always seem be common sense but it is important to know the law and stay out of trouble.
This is the grave of Henry A. Denison that I found in the beautiful and well kept large cemetery in Mystic, CT. As I am assistant to the genealogist for the Denison Society, I am always seeking data from gravestones to add to our database of information.
Naturally, I am also preserving gravestone history by taking photographs of stones. I took this photo on 04 Aug 2007 and when I went back to the cemetery, I discovered that this stone's two pieces had been put back together. That is the true meaning of Perpetual Care. I did not take another photo because I found Henry in the database with his information intact.
The smaller family cemeteries that I visit and photograph are in shockingly bad condition because there may be no single person in charge of that cemetery. As I am no longer young, I don't think I will be taking a course in restoration but feel that I am doing my part by just photographing stones.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Jane SMITH
Graveyard Rabbits Carnival Entry for March, 2009
"It's not unusual to be loved by anyone..." [Tom Jones] {YouTube}
Not a plain Jane, that's for sure and I'm sure that Jane was quite the lady but she might have been shocked by Tom Jones!
Jane SMITH lived to be 98 years old and while that is not that unusual [especially in my family], it is an unusual lesson in knowing just how many descendants you could have if you lived to be nearly 100 in times long ago! No wonder, genealogists fingers are tired typing in family history data!
I am entranced by this gravestone as it is a great lesson in genealogy math! The fact that Jane's maiden name was SMITH, which I read somewhere is the most common surname in America, we know exactly who her ancestors were, so that may be unusual.
Another unusual thing is the fact that Jane and her husband George were both Denison descendants.
Jane4 Smith (Nathan3, Nehemiah2, Nehemiah1) was born 13 Jan 1730/31 in Groton, CT, one of nine children born to Nathan SMITH and his wife Mary4 DENISON (Dea. Daniel3, John3 Borodell, Capt. George1). She married George DENISON (Cap't George3, William2, Capt. George1) on 23 Feb 1747/48. He was born 3 July 1725 in Stonington, CT.
George and Jane were the parents of eleven children (one set of twins). So, you can see where 350 descendants would be possible. George died 19 Jun 1808 and Jane died 11 May 1829. It was not unusual for the men to died first, leaving a widow, just as it is today.
Jane and her husband are buried in the Denison Burying Ground in Mystic, CT on the Cove nearby to Elm Grove Cemetery, a beautiful, gigantic, garden cemetery and Mystic Seaport. The Denison Homestead is not far away.
"To add to their happiness was her most ardent wish..."
"It's not unusual to be loved by anyone..." [Tom Jones] {YouTube}
Not a plain Jane, that's for sure and I'm sure that Jane was quite the lady but she might have been shocked by Tom Jones!
Jane SMITH lived to be 98 years old and while that is not that unusual [especially in my family], it is an unusual lesson in knowing just how many descendants you could have if you lived to be nearly 100 in times long ago! No wonder, genealogists fingers are tired typing in family history data!
I am entranced by this gravestone as it is a great lesson in genealogy math! The fact that Jane's maiden name was SMITH, which I read somewhere is the most common surname in America, we know exactly who her ancestors were, so that may be unusual.
Another unusual thing is the fact that Jane and her husband George were both Denison descendants.
Jane4 Smith (Nathan3, Nehemiah2, Nehemiah1) was born 13 Jan 1730/31 in Groton, CT, one of nine children born to Nathan SMITH and his wife Mary4 DENISON (Dea. Daniel3, John3 Borodell, Capt. George1). She married George DENISON (Cap't George3, William2, Capt. George1) on 23 Feb 1747/48. He was born 3 July 1725 in Stonington, CT.
George and Jane were the parents of eleven children (one set of twins). So, you can see where 350 descendants would be possible. George died 19 Jun 1808 and Jane died 11 May 1829. It was not unusual for the men to died first, leaving a widow, just as it is today.
Jane and her husband are buried in the Denison Burying Ground in Mystic, CT on the Cove nearby to Elm Grove Cemetery, a beautiful, gigantic, garden cemetery and Mystic Seaport. The Denison Homestead is not far away.
"To add to their happiness was her most ardent wish..."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)