Cemeteries in the news - Edgehill Cemetery

On December 30, 2008, Edgehill Cemetery sustained considerable damage when an expected thaw and rain caused the south end to collapse. I reported on it in this article. With an update here. Archaeologists were sifting through all the dirt to locate bones.

To see information about the cemetery and photos of the damage visit Postcards of the Bay

At the meeting of the Town of  South Bruce Peninsula on June 23, 2009, the council amended the budget to add the recovery work at Edgehill Cemetery based on the $200,000 estimate from Archaeological Research Associates Ltd. who are doing the work.

I haven't heard anything recently on how the work is progressing.

News Update: The Sun Times of November 26, 2009 contains an update on the status of the recovery work.
Ten archaeologists and archaeology students from Wilfred Laurier have completed their work and the work came in under budget. The next phase is the design plans from engineering consultants on the bank reconstruction. It is expected that it may be next spring before all work is completed.  Full article may be read here

Carnival of Graveyard Rabbits - Epitaph

This Carnival asked graveyard rabbit bloggers to write their epitaph as they would like it written. When walking through cemeteries, it is fun to read the epitaphs inscribed on the markers.

As my marker, is already in place and it shares the information for my parents and is a flat marker, there will be no place for an epitaph. If I was going to have an epitaph, perhaps, it would read.

"Janet the researcher, loving aunt and sister"

Funeral cards - another source of information

Funeral cards can provide information about a person and the particulars of the death - the location and date and the place of burial. It might include some biographical information and a photograph.

I do not have many in my possession. I did a search of some of the keepsakes that my mother had in some boxes. Until recently, I have not seen them locally but at more recent funerals or funeral home visitations, they have had bookmark sized cards with information and photograph of the individual but these are given out at the funeral home or place of visitation or service.

In my search, last night, I only found two, but I know there are others around the house. The two that I found were for deaths on the Manitoulin Island. In a locality with only a weekly newspaper, these funeral cards are placed in stores so that people can be alerted to an upcoming funeral. Once when I was visiting my cousin Valerie, we had gone into Gore Bay to shop. There in one of the stores, we saw a funeral card. She mentioned it was for one of my cousins. Of course, the person was her cousin too.

The first one I found was for Evelyn Jean Spry nee Wagg. I don't believe there is any family connection unless it is one of those, where it is a relative of a relative's spouse.

Evelyn was the wife of the late Chester Spry. She died suddenly on August 4, 1967, at her home when only in her 47th year. The visitation and the service were held at Mindemoya United Church. Printed on the card, her place of burial is shown as Mindemoya Cemetery but in hand writing Cold Springs, Rockville has been added.  There is the poem called "Comfort". There is no more biographical information about her.

The other is for my uncle Ross Love who died in Mindemoya Hospital on May 2, 1989. Included is some of the basic family information. The funeral service and visitation were also at Mindemoya United Church. There was also a Masonic Memorial service. The poem "Crossing the Bar" is printed on the card.

September Graveyard Rabbit Carnvial posted

The September theme for the Graveyard Rabbits Carnival was a potpourri of writings by fifteen graveyard rabbits.  To read them visit here.

The October theme, due September 25, is funeral cards. I will have to dig through some boxes to see what I have.

Memorial to Rev. Fr. Granottier at St. Mary's Cemetery, Owen Sound

St. Mary's Cemetery - Georgian Bluffs (Derby Township), Ontario

It is affiliated with St. Mary of the Assumption and the Missions Parish, Owen Sound.

Most days, I pass by this cemetery at least twice. From the gates, you see this imposing monument straight ahead.

While researching another topic, I found information on the dedication of this memorial. The following is transcribed from the Owen Sound Advertiser 2 September 1918 p.1

MEMORIAL TO REV. FR. GRANOTTIER IS DEDICATED
Impressive ceremony in memory of Former Pastor of St. Mary's Church

A large crowd attended the ceremony Sunday afternoon of the dedication of a memorial erected at St. Mary's Cemetery in memory of Rev. F. X. Granottier, who for fifty-four years was the beloved pastor of the Church here. The ceremony throughout was one of the most solemn and impressive that has taken place in Owen Sound. Commencing with a short service of dedication and blessing of the memorial, the officiating priests, Fathers Finnegan, Murphy, Sharpe, McNulty and Roach, proceeded from the cemetery gate to the oval in the centre, chanting the Mass of the Stations of the cross, Father Roach conducting the service. At the oval where the memorial is placed, Father Powell delivered an eloquent and impressive address on the divinity of the Christ.

The memorial, which is placed in the Oval, where the remains of Father Granottier lie, is one worthy of the man in whose memory it is erected. The base is of grey stone, very plain in design, and bears on its face in the centre the monogram I.H.S. On the copestone in the inscription "In Memory of Rev. F. X. Granottier" and on the same face, and flanking the central design, the words "Born at Val Fleury France, October 7, 1836. Ordained 1852. Labored in the Owen Sound Missions 1863-1917. Died March 2, 1917." And at the foot, "Requiescat in Pace" In the centre is placed a large bronze crucifix, flanked by bronze figures, the whole forming a striking group. The whole is a most beautiful composition and a decided ornament in the cemetery. It is the gift of a large number of the members of the churches here and in the vicinity , where Father Granottier spent so many years of labor, and where his influence will still be felt for many years to come.


The view from behind facing the road.

Information on Father Francois Xavier Granottier
The photos were taken 5 November 2008 by Janet Iles

My favorite cemetery photo? How can I choose?

When walking through a cemetery, you often notice a monument or marking that catches your interest. Perhaps, it is the shape, the wording or perhaps the flowers or mementos that are close by.

Recently, I visited Ventry Cemetery in Proton Township, Grey County, Ontario. For me, this cemetery was not on a regular route but one I was checking for a client.




My list for the cemetery was in alphabetical order and not as it was set out in rows, so I had to look at each stone. I was calling out the name of the ones I was looking for. Where are you? While I was doing this, I found a most interesting one.




To the Glory of God
Brooks
Olive Emmeline Clarke
Nov 17 1933 -- Oct 12 1985
Beloved wife of
Ronald James Brooks
Apr 12, 1934 -- Jan 21 2001

Click on the photo to enlarge it so that you can read the poem that Olive wrote when she had cancer.

This is the first time that I have seen a poem written by the person who is laid to rest. The names of the children are on the stone. The illustrations show something of the spirit of the couple. It looks like they loved to square dance.

Veterans - We will remember them

In Greenwood Cemetery, I found some stones with a special label to indicate that a person had been a veteran. An example of the label is shown above. This monument shown above commemorates a veteran -- Ernest Tompkins. (I have blanked out the name of a person still living, son of the couple listed above.

The label indicating that they had been a veteran reminds us of the service they gave to their country.

We will remember them.

Is it a tree trunk used as a gravemarker?

If you were casually walking past this grave marker, you would be sure that it was a tree trunk creatively used as a grave marker, but it is not. It is made of stone. Notice also how a stone potted plant rests permanently at the base of the marker.

The last name is Williams

This grave marker is found in the Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound, Ontario. This photograph was taken during a tour of the cemetery in September 2007.

More details will be added later.