Have you visited any cemeteries recently?

 My answer unfortunately is no. I have always enjoyed visiting the cemeteries where my ancestors are buried. When our Iles family had a reunion in 2019, I prepared a listing of those who are buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound. 

In June, the Grey County Historical Society are visiting Greenwood Cemetery to learn about the people buried in Potter's Field or the Indigent Plot section. In December 2019, a memorial monument was placed to honour and remember the lives and passing of  more than 1200  buried there. Aly Boltman, a member of the steering committee that worked on the planning for this memorial will be the guest speaker.

https://greycountyhs.ca/events.html -- All welcome to attend this program.

Tombstone Tuesday - Old Durham Road Pioneer Cemetery

Photos of Tombstones can be seen on the Genweb Cemetery Project site.

The four headstones were found in 1990.

The book Broken Shackles provides some background on this cemetery. The stones were of graves of  early Black settlers to the area.



Above collage and photos by Janet Iles

Cemetery in Proton Township Reorganized Church of Jessus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Here at Graveyard Rabbit of Grey County, Ontario, I primarily blog about Grey County cemeteries but from time to time, I will blog about other cemeteries of interest.

Yesterday, while working on a client project, I visited two cemeteries in Proton Township, part of the municipality of Southgate. Today, I will write about the Latter Day Saints Cemetery at lot 15, concession 15. It was actually the cemetery for the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. This denomination has changed its name to Community of Christ Church. The church is active. According to the Township of Proton, 1857-1982 : a history, the church was built at this site in 1891. The old sign is behind the building.




What is interesting about this cemetery is how hilly the land is. There is quite the slope to climb. Below is a photo looking down. Of course, the main one I was looking for was almost to the top. The marker had broken off and was lying on the hillside with what looked like the base to the right.


Below are some photos looking up.











My question is - Was the land this hilly and rolling when the site for the church and the cemetery was chosen or has the contour changed over the years?

Grey County Graveyards

Some of the Graveyards in Grey County have been photographed and their images placed on the Canada Genweb Project Site. Those that have images show an icon to the right of the name in the Grey County list.

Thank you to the volunteers who undertake these projects.

Badjeros Cemetery (2) - Stewart

Richard Stewart son of William & Susan McCormack Stewart, his wife Mary Raeburn daughter of Wm Raeburn & Margaret McCormack,Their son Richard Lee Stewart & wife M. Alice Taylor

Photos from Holly at Raeburn Family Odyssey

Richard Stewart
Born Aug. 18, 1840 Died June 27, 1935

Mary Raeburn beloved wife of
Richard Stewart
Born Mar. 10 1844, Died Feb. 10, 1925

R. Lee Stewart
Born Dec. 28, 1881 Died Nov. 15 1971

His beloved wife
M. Alice Taylor
Born Apr. 13 1884 Died July 19, 1975

Nearer my God to thee

STEWART

Checking Mary's death registration, I found the following information. She is listed as a widow. Her son James is the informant and he is living in Singhampton. Her date of birth is given as Feb 17th 1844. Her parents are shown as William Raeburn and Margaret McCormick both born in Ireland. Mary is listed as living in Ontario all her life. Discrepancies in the date of birth are understandable but why is she called a widow?

On the marriage registration of R. Lee Stewart and M. Alice Taylor, we get their full names -- Richard Leopold Stewart and Martha Alice Taylor. They were married 22 March 1911 in Simcoe County.

Mary Stewart Ontario death registration #014577 (13 February 1925)digital image, Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 14 February 2009); citing Archives of Ontario microfilm Ms 935 reel 324, Toronto.

Richard Leopold Stewart - Martha Alice Taylor Ontario marriage registration (22 March 1911) digital image Ancestry.ca (http://www.ancestry.ca : accessed 14 February 2009); citing Archives of Ontario microfilm Ms932 reel 176, Toronto

South Union Line Cemetery aka Badjeros Union Cemetery

South Union Line Cemetery aka Badjeros Union Cemetery is located in the former township of Osprey within the municipality of Grey Highlands in Grey County, Ontario. (Lot 60 Concession 3 Osprey Township)


Although I have Stiver relatives buried at this cemetery, I have yet to visit this cemetery.

The following photos came to me from Holly at Raeburn Family Odyssey. Some of her family connections are buried there.









Information from Holly --
Wm Stewart b abt 1800 County Monaghan Ireland d abt 26 Jan 1876, emigrated with wife Susan McCormack and children (all born in Ireland) c 1840. Children: Samuel b 1819, John b 1824 , George b 1830 , William b 1831, Mary b 1833, Alex b 1835 , Margaret b 1837, Richard b 1840. Wm & Family lived on the County line of Grey/Simcoe Co in Maple Valley, Osprey Twp Grey County.


The photos were taken by Dorothy Hiltz of Collingwood who has given her permission for these photos to be posted here.

Note: William Stewart's death was not registered until 13 July 1876 by informant John Ferguson of Honeywood. (#003841) 13 July 1876 MS 935 Reel 12, Archives of Ontario

Thank you Holly and Dorothy.

I will post more of their photos in another posting.

Rain causes damage at neighbouring county cemetery

The Sun Times headline of an article on December 30, 2008 pA2 read "Monuments toppled, vaults exposed at cemetery"

The culprit was the thaw and heavy rains that came down recently in this area. The section involved is the oldest section (southern section) of Edgehill Cemetery in Colpoy's Bay, Albemarle Township, South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce County, Ontario.

The creek above the cemetery overflowed. The graves in this area are from the early 20th century.The Grey Bruce Health Unit sent an inspector to assess the situation.

The full newspaper article from December 31, 2008 "No threat from grave damage" is on the newspaper's site with photos by James Masters shown in a video. Mayor Gwen Gilbert is quoted

that she expects recommendations on repairs once the municipal office reopens next week.

Staff will be making some recommendations as to how to restore the site as quickly as possible while maintianing the dignity of the persons and the families involved.

The cemetery is closed from public visitiation as a safety measure until work can be done. The municipality placed a notice in the December 30 edition of the newspaper "Notice to Relative of Persons buried in Edgehill-Colpoy's Bay Cemetery. "The municiaplity is attempting to contact relatives of those graves involved and maintain the security and dignity of the area."

This is the first time I have heard of flooding and erosion problems in cemeteries in this area. I am pleased that the municipality is trying its best to protect the area and to preserve the sanctity of this cemetery.

Toronto Cemetery, Demuin, Somme, France

Toronto Cemetery in Demuin, Somme France is the location of burials from the First World War. Named for the Toronto Regiment (Canadian 3rd Battalion) in August 1918, Canadians who lost their life in service to their country are buried there.



To see more information about the Toronto Cemetery check First World War cemeteries and the War Graves Commission Site. Check also the Find a Grave Site. Many in this cemetery died on 8 August 1918. One of those buried in this cemetery is my Great Uncle.



To see a companion article go to Janet the Researcher with an article about Harold Edward Iles. See the temporary marker that was placed. These crosses have been replaced with the white stone with the maple leaf.