Cemetery Explorers

2011-11-20T04:04:00.001-08:00

Gone but not Forgotten

http://www.calgaryherald.com/forgotten+souls+Taylor+Cemetery/5740080/story.html

Wordless Wednesday

2011-11-16T20:53:00.000-08:00

Emmaus Cemetery and Why Cemeteries Are Vandalized

2011-07-22T21:22:00.000-07:00

This particular cemetery that I focus on was part of the Second Street Evangelical Church on 2nd and Ridge Streets in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, USA. During the church's life there, it was the second oldest Evangelical denomination in Emmaus. It was in 1839 that the Reverend Charles Hesser travelled though Emmaus and preached the first Evangelical sermon for the town in the home of Charles Fehr. In 1840, the church was established and the Reverend George Haines became the first preacher. The church building itself wasn't built until 1845, which cost $1450.

The history of this cemetery is interesting. It adds to the local flavor of Emmaus. However, it isn't kept as well as you think it should be. Currently Bethany Methodist Church in Wescosville, PA, has the records and seems to be taking care of the cemetery. It isn't their fault that it isn't well kept. It's the people who vandalize it that compound the work for the cemetery care takers.

What makes a person vandalize cemeteries? That's a hard question to answer. I couldn't find any solid evidence online. I did find a lot of theories from different organizations. Texas Historical Commision mentioned that theft in cemeteries could be due to the need sell vintage items for profit. The other theory I found was people would tip gravestones because “they could get away with it.” Spray painting and defacing a tombstone is not just seen as graffiti but can also as a hate crime. It just depends on what is put on a stone.

And we can't forget about neglect. Why are graveyards abandoned and neglected? There are a bunch of possibilities. Money is one of them. Either the owner ran off with money or there was enough funds to keep up. A good example of neglect is Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. It has been neglected for so long that the city had to step in. The city doesn't know for sure who owns the cemetery. One day, the office was closed.

However, this really isn't much we can do. Sure, we can call the police but by the time they police get there, the damage is done. Unless every cemetery will have a gate and cameras, it seems like we are loosing the war.

I shared a quote in April on this blog. It stated, "Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness, the tender mercies of its people, their loyalty to high ideals, and their regard for the laws of the land." That quote is powerful. Remember it when you walk or drive by a cemetery that is vandalized or forgotten.

Please check out my growing Photostream of Second Evangelical Church, Emmaus, PA to see more pictures of this cemetery and how the cemetery changes with every visit.

Rapture vs Zombie Apocalypse

2011-05-22T19:48:00.000-07:00

I decided, since I didn't go into heaven, to go into a cemetery and see if the zombie apocalypse happened. If it did, it didn't happen in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.

On a happier note, the weather is getting better and I can finally get out of the house once in a while and visit some cemeteries. I'm hoping I can get out there more with Memorial Day around the corner.

If the Rapture will happen or if the CDC's preparation for the Zombie Apocalypse comes in handy, at least those who have no families will be remembered. Be prepared!

Caring for the Dead

2011-04-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

"Show me the manner in which a nation cares for its dead, and I will measure with mathematical exactness, the tender mercies of its people, their loyalty to high ideals, and their regard for the laws of the land." -- William Ewart Gladstone

Tombstone Tuesday

2011-03-22T08:08:00.001-07:00

"In the Hope of a Glorious Ressurection. Were laid to rest February 24, 1751 on this spot then the centre of this cemetery the mortal remains of Juliana Nitschmann whose maiden name was Haberland, wife of Bishop John Nitschmann and a distinguished deaconess of the church. She was born at Schoenauin Moravia July 30, 1712. A lineal descendant of faithful members of the Ancient Brethren Unity, the daughter of fearless confessors amidst bonds and imprisonment of the pure gospel of Christ fleeing for conscience sake to Herrnhut in Saxory. She served with singless of heart. Her God and the Church in Germany, England, and America, and died on the 22 of February 1751."

I took a walk after church service at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem, PA. Walking on the road that winds its way through the cemetery, I found this one in the middle of the road. My mind said to itself, "AKWARD!" So, just like in any good old fashioned cemetery explorer way, I took a photograph.

Doing some extra investigating, I found the Bethlehem Digital History Project. There they have community records about deaths and anything else you can imagine about the history of Bethlehem. A copy of the death notice, translated into English from German, states:

Juliana Nitschmannin, born Haberland, our dearest and most true Mother of Pennsylvania, was torn from us in a sudden but very blessed death at about ten-thirty this morning here in Bethlehem, to our greatest sadness and general regret. Her flight home occurred quite quickly, and was, for us, very unexpected. She had been ailing for some time, but this morning she appeared to be well and went about her usual business. Just a few minutes before her blessed end she lay on her bed. As she bent her head, she ran her hand over her brow and said "Ey," (as if she wanted to say: "Ey, what’s becoming of me?"). With that she let her arm fall. The body was dead and the soul in eternal life, with the lovely reception-Loosung: "Hail! Come in the House!"

She was born in Moravia on July 10, 1712, in the village of Schönau, out of the remnants of Brother Riechlein, which had lain in the ashes over 100 years, and came as an exile with her parents and siblings into Herrnhut on June 14, 1728, after surviving many dangers and hardships. There, in the year 1729, she was confirmed—or taken into the Gemeine—according to the custom of the day, and soon thereafter, she enjoyed the body and blood of her husband* for the first time. She was hitherto a blessed little Choir-Heart in her Single Band, and decided, along with the small number of maidens who were then among us, to form the blessed Maidens-Band. In 1734, in October, she entered into marriage with our dearest heart Johann Nitschmann, according to the will of the Little Lamb and the advice of the Brethren. The Lamb granted them seven children, of whom four sons are still living; three children, however, have already gone to the Little Lamb.

In the years 1737-1738, until Easter 1739, she stayed with her husband in Jena, where he was sent with our dearest heart Christian Renatus for the service of the learned and the salvation of the same in the university. In 1739, she became an eldress in the Gemeine in Herrnhaag. She was with the Pilgrim-Gemeine in Geneva in 1741; after her return she was with her husband in Marienborn (where they helped initiate the marriages of the groups destined for Pennsylvania in 1741 and 1743), until in 1744 she was once again was installed as eldress of Herrnhaag. She moved there in 1745, where she remained with her husband for two years. In 1747 and 1748, she was with the Pilgrim-Gemeine in Hennersdorf, at the time that the royal commission was held there. From there she began her journey to Pennsylvania, via Herrnhaag, Zeist, and London. Shortly before her departure from London she was declared "Mother of Pennsylvania" by the Pilgrim-Gemeine. The embarkation from London occurred in February 1749, with a Sea-Congregation of some 120 Brethren, and in May she came here to Bethlehem with her dear husband and the remaining Brethren. Here, her first and principal work then was to introduce into marriage the little group who came with her, and they were married soon after their arrival. Almost all the time that she spent in this land she was weak and sickly in her body, which suffered from consumption, until finally the soul had to leave her and us, and suddenly flew to the cleft of the Little Lamb. Her soul-less and exhausted body was taken to our Hutberg at dusk on the evening of 13/24 February, amongst an unusually numerous company, and lowered into the cool earth.

Bethlehem is just becoming more interesting as I go along.

Trash on Cemeteries

2011-03-20T17:41:00.001-07:00

Unclean cemeteries bother me. However, they make really good pictures.

I took this during a walk on God's Acre in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, after church service. After a mean winter, it felt good to have nice weather and to get out even if it was for half an hour.

Here's to Spring and Analog Cemeteries!

2011-02-24T21:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, I have been a busy bee myself. I have a lot of problems at home, I'm working on a 365 blog, then then winter this year has just sucked. However, we did have a heat wave recently. I took out my Diana and my grandfather's Miranda DR 1.9 and just took some good old fashioned analog photos. Of course, the occasional drive by photo of a cemetery happens when I get the itch to visit one.

I am hoping that I can see more and post more soon. I want to do some traveling in May so I'll see a big cemetery down in Hershey, PA. I also have a few small ones in the area on my list. Here's to Spring!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-23T11:25:00.000-08:00

Marie Holmes - Lady of the Night

2011-02-13T07:12:00.001-08:00

In the lovely city of Santa Cruz, CA stands the Evergreen Historic Cemetery where many California pioneers and prominent citizens in Santa Cruz history are buried. Amidst those people lies a small grave I came across strictly by chance. I happened to notice a film tube sitting next to wall containing a list of several names who had found the tube. A geocache if you will. Geocaching is a hide and seek game played with tiny containers or trinkets and GPS systems where coordinates are given and it is your job to find whatever item is left in that location. I found this strictly by chance and was not there for geocaching. Next to the geocache I noticed a plaque on a grave. The grave of Marie Holmes. I will not go into detail about who she was or the circumstances surrounding her death because there is already and excellent writeup on her on the Santa Cruz County Website (click here) . After doing a little reading on the area it seems that houses of "Ill-Repute" were all over the area. Women would come from all over the area to find that the opportunities they thought were there were not really going to come to fruition so they'd be forced to turn to prostitution for what little money they could get. It turns out that prostitution was so rampant that several books were written on the area and it's ties to prostitution. On my next trip out I will try and document some of these older areas where the houses once stood.

Lady of the Night
Here lie the remains of Marie Holmes a lady of the night who on the evening of May 5, 1898, met a lonely and untimely end with the quaffing of carbolic acid. Born in England she resided in San Francisco, Salinas and Watsonville before spending her last few months in Santa Cruz, where she died in the streets outside the Merrill Brothers Saloon.

Dedicated September 18, 1997
The Museum of Art and History Santa Cruz

So yes people this is my return to blogging and I apologize for the lack of updates for a while. Truth is I've been working on other projects such as my website and basically just getting through every day life. I'm not sure how often this site will be updated but please follow this blog because it will definitely be updated more often from now on just not as often as before. You can always find me on Facebook if you really want to. As for the other authors Jeane has written a few books since the last time she wrote. Darkowho was an occasional author has published a couple cemetery books. And Becky has been busy with every day life as well. Thank you all for your support...

William French

2010-09-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

This is a memorial for William French who lost his life on 13th July 1896 by saving a dog from drowning in Highgate Ponds North London. The dog survived, alas Mr French did not. The monument was erected in St Pancras and Islington Cemetery in commemoration of his brave deed and paid for by public subscription.

Wednesday's Child -Stevenson Children

2010-09-22T19:44:00.001-07:00

Keith and Keitha Stevenson, 1924
Angels Forever

St Pancras and Islington Cemetery London

2010-08-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Letizia Melesi who was killed by a motor cab in 1914. St Pancras and Islington Cemetery.

The House, St Vincent’s Paris.

2010-08-23T01:48:00.000-07:00

The House, St Vincent’s Paris.

Figure in a shroud.

2010-08-19T05:07:00.000-07:00

A figure in a sack like shroud, St Mary’s Perivale, London. This is the only one I’ve ever seen quite like this.

Ricardo's Cat

2010-08-13T02:19:00.000-07:00

Ricardo’s cat, a large mosaic cat from Pere Lachaise cemetery Paris which always makes me smile.

Marville, a Cold War Baby Blues - Part Two

2010-08-02T11:36:00.000-07:00

"Two World Wars left Europe with a scattering of well tended war cemeteries," the Lady of the Cemetery said. "The Cold War however, sprinkled the European countryside with tombstones of Canadian Forces personnel and their families..."

According to the Canadian Department of National Defence, more than 1,370 Canadians were buried in Europe during the Cold War. "But many graves were lost," the old lady said. "In Canada graves are kept in perpetuity, you know. But in Europe a grave is usually leased for a period of 20 to 25 years, after which the headstone is removed and the grave is used again."

As the Canadian Forces prepared to leave Europe, the National Defence Headquarters became aware of this issue. People had relatives buried there, but no grave could be found. One month a Canadian had been buried in a military cemetery, the other in a civilian.

"Plots in the children's section already expired after 5 to 20 years," the old lady said. "And they could not be renewed, you know."

In April 2002 the Department of National Defence launched a website which made it possible to search easily for names in an alphabetical listing. National Defence also went into negotiations to renew the leases and protect the graves.

"It turned out that the graves of serving members were by far the smaller number," the Lady of the Cemetery said. "Many of them were newborn babies, you see? And that's why I got the Cold War Baby Blues, mister."

For the graves that were lost, a memorial cairn was raised in the cemetery where once the grave was, with the names of the Canadians buried here.

Many of them simply had "baby" in front of the surnames.

"See for instance Marville, France," the Lady of the Cemetery said. "Cozy little village it was."

Read Also: Marville, a Cold War Baby Blues - Part One

(To Be Continued!)

unknown Chicago area cemetery - a set on Flickr

2010-07-31T11:25:00.000-07:00

unknown Chicago area cemetery - a set on Flickr

If anyone recognizes this graveyard, please give me details about it's location and name. As far as I can recall, it was in the vicinity of All Saint's Catholic Cemetery in Des Plaines. There were a lot of Germanic names and there was an old, white church house on the grounds by the road.

VOTE FOR Cemetery Girls | By Daryl "Darko" Barnett | Blurb

2010-07-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Cemetery Girls | By Daryl "Darko" Barnett | Blurb

Blurb has a "People's Choice Award" for the contestants in their Photography Book Now contest. I don't think the prize is much more than a pretty certificate written on with a quill, but still, it's a little bit of notoriety. I'd be honored if you'd vote for my book. You only get to vote for one book, one time only.

Thanks!

Dalida, Montmartre cemetery, Paris

2010-07-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

A life-size sculpture of Dalida, a French singer, adorns her grave in Montmartre cemetery Paris.

Manor Park cemetery London.

2010-07-27T01:53:00.000-07:00

A stone football from Manor Park cemetery.

Dead Man's Penny

2010-07-21T10:40:00.000-07:00

This is known as a dead man's penny. I discovered it on a monument at the City of London cemetery.

Emily Pankhurst, London.

2010-07-19T13:19:00.000-07:00

Emmeline (Emily) Pankhurst 1858 – 1928, leader of the suffragette movement. Brompton cemetery, London.

Two heads are better than one, Glasgow.

2010-07-13T02:02:00.000-07:00

I've never seen one of these before. Glasgow Necropolis, Scotland.

West Norwood cemetery, London.

2010-07-09T07:51:00.000-07:00

This unusual blue Noveau cross is from West Norwood cemetery.

Silver Spirit, Kensal Green cemetery.

2010-07-06T03:13:00.000-07:00

The Silver Spirit, Kensal Green cemetery London. A modern monument based on the Rolls Royce symbol.

Glasgow Necropolis Scotland - the snake and hand.

2010-07-05T02:50:00.000-07:00

A snake and hand from Glasgow Necropolis, Scotland. The snake or serpent biting its own tail and forming a circle is called an Ouroboros. Used in ancient cultures it can symbolise unity, eternity or the cyclical nature of many aspects of life.

That Thing Thursday

2010-07-01T18:57:00.001-07:00

After work, I decided to go to a cemetery that I pass on the way home. I went in and saw this critter. It made its home underneath one of the stones.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Scotland.

2010-06-25T03:31:00.000-07:00

Three late 1700s early 1800s memorials from Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh Scotland.

West Norwood Cemetery, London.

2010-06-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

The final curtain, West Norwood cemetery.

Paris

2010-06-21T03:19:00.000-07:00

Angel with child from a cemetery in Paris, this wonderful monument is made from a white iron.

That Thing Thursday

2010-06-17T18:37:00.000-07:00

When I was in Bally looking for my family, I saw these guys walking in a trench in front of my car.

I don't see Mallards often, but I was thrilled when I saw them. Of course, I got in my car and parked closer to the church instead of going around them, just in case I got them angry.

Pere Lachaise, Paris

2010-06-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

I’ve never seen another quite like this – an unusual mirrored monument from Pere Lachaise, Paris with tiny figures depicting the life of the man buried there.

West Norwood Cemetery, London.

2010-06-13T00:52:00.000-07:00

Columbarium at West Norwood cemetery, London.

Ironwork, West Norwood Cemetery

2010-06-11T05:01:00.000-07:00

A wonderful monument with virtually intact ironwork from the Greek cemetery at West Norwood cemetery London.

Pere Lachaise, Paris.

2010-06-10T09:37:00.000-07:00

An unusual Buddhist memorial from Pere Lachaise cemetery Paris. It has ‘faces’ on all four sides.

Another Day in the Hunt for My Family Tree

2010-06-09T08:13:00.001-07:00

I was so happy. I figured out where my great great great great grandparents, Mary and Daniel Eck, where buried. They are at the Most Blessed Sacrament Church in Bally, PA. I had a day planned to go walk the cemetery. I put on my walking clothes and my best sneakers and got into the car. I put the church's address into my GPS. I drove there. I got into the parking lot. I went into the cemetery and couldn't find them.

That's right, I couldn't find them. I went into the new cemetery. They died in the early and mid 1800's. Of course I'm not going to find them there! The dates averaged late 1800's. I thought, this isn't right. There has to got to be some place else.

So I went for a walk around the church. I was very surprised to see this:

Unmarked graves! The tombstones were put up against a wall and were piled 5-6 stones deep. I walked around it hoping to find them but I had no luck. So, I went home and did some research.

During the 1950's, Hurricane Diane came through Pennsylvania. It flooded many places. Bally happened to be one of them. Most of the stones were destroyed. The ones that did survive were found in a nearby creek. They were put in a U shape around the church.

So, Daniel and Mary Eck are currently in an unmarked grave. I doubt if the stones still exist and I can't afford to put one on their graves with a Pharmacy Technician's salary. At least I know where they are.

The worms of Southend Cemetery

2010-06-05T09:35:00.000-07:00

This is the amazing scene at Southend Cemetery in Essex UK. Millions of caterpillars spinning their silk webs all over the trees. In their caterpillar stage, the bugs, known as web worms, weave leaves of trees together and eat them. They are bird cherry tree ermine moths and when they emerge fully grown, they become distinctive white moths with five rows of black dots. It gives the cemetery a kind of eerie winter wonderland feel!

Burnham, Essex UK

2010-06-03T04:57:00.000-07:00

I discovered this coffin shaped memorial in St Mary the Virgin’s churchyard in Burnham, Essex and dubbed it the camouflage coffin!

City of London Cemetery

2010-06-02T12:16:00.000-07:00

This woman from the City of London cemetery always makes me shiver no matter how warm the weather is, there is something a little creepy about her and she is also very difficult to photograph well. Her features appear very lifelike.

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T10:14:00.000-07:00

On Memorial Day, people are remember their loved ones. Some remember those who died for our freedoms. I was out on a cemetery yesterday and someone was having a picture on the grave of a loved one lost.

Today, I am choosing to remember a lot of people. I want to focus on my grandfather, or pappy as I called him, William F. S. Carl.

William F. S. Carl, 68, of 301 S. 7th St, Emmaus, was pronounced dead Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center after being stricken while clearing snow at his home. He was the husband of Loraine J. (Meitzler) Carl.

He was a crane operate for the Fuller Co., Allentown plant, for many years before retiring in 1985.

Born in Emmaus, he was the song of the late Morris and Helen (Stewart) Carl.

He was a member of Emmaus Moravian Church.

He was an army veteran of World War II.

I was 7 when he passed away. I don't remember much of him. I do remember my brother, my sister, and I going to their house on S 7th St and I would be the only one who would say, "Hi Pappy!" He would say, "Well, there goes the will!"

Now, 21 years later, I wish I knew him better. I would've loved to hear his war stories. I have his patch from his army uniform. Mom told me some things about him. He was a part of the the Polar Bears. He was stationed in Alaska.

I also know that he liked photography and electronics. I have his old Kodak Retina IIIc and sometimes I hold it next to my Olympus and think, "Damn, he would be all over my camera."

So, there is my salute to Pappy. I've only known him for a few years of my life but I'm very happy that I did get to know him.

Pere Lachaise, Paris.

2010-05-31T06:05:00.000-07:00

One of my favourite monuments from Pere Lachaise cemetery, a woman mourning outside a tomb.

John Higginson b.1675 d. April 26,1718

2010-05-30T10:43:00.000-07:00

Here Lyes Interd the body of Mr John Higginson. He was a minister who came to Salem, known as Naumkeag at the time, approx 1629. According to local legend, he changed the name from Naumkeag or Salaam. It was eventually changed to Salem meaning "The City of Peace."

Montmartre cemetery

2010-05-27T00:49:00.000-07:00

An angel of death who appears to be sinking a paddle steamer. This amazing monument is from Montmartre cemetery in Paris.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-26T20:12:00.001-07:00

Melaten

2010-05-26T12:20:00.000-07:00

A beautiful, quiet cemetery surrounded by busy city life, Melaten is located on Aachener Strasse in Cologne, Germany. I can't remember the first time I found this place but since then I have been back many times. On my last visit I finally found some very interesting information. The location was originally used during the Middle Ages for witch burnings and executions, including the hanging of a church robber in 1797. There was also a leprosarium for lepers on the grounds, which is where the cemetery gets it's name; Malade is french for ill. The building was closed in 1767 when leprosy was mainly wiped out in Europe. In 1804 Napolean ordered that Cologne citizens only bury their dead outside the municipality, which is when it was decided to use Melaten as a cemetery.

"More Weight!"

2010-05-24T17:43:00.000-07:00

Giles Corey was one of the 20 that died in Salem during the Witch Trials. Unlike the others, he was pressed to death because he refused to plea to Witchcraft.

Mr Corey was a farmer and a member of the church. In April 1692, three people were accusing him of witchcraft, Ann Putnam, Jr, Mercy Lewis, and Abigail Williams. The spectral evidence they gave to the court by Ann Putnam Jr was that Mr Corey asked her to write in the Devil's Book. She also claimed that a ghost appeared and said that it had been murdered by Mr Corey.

Mercy Lewis, who also accused Mr Corey, gave this testimony at his examination:

The Deposition of Mercy Lewis aged about 19 years who testified and said that on the 14th of April 1692 "I saw the Apparition of Giles Corey come and afflict me urging me to write in his book and so he continued most dreadfully to hurt me by times beating me & almost breaking my back tell the day of his examination being the 19th of April and then also during the time of his examination he did affect and tortor me most greviously: and also several times sense urging me vehemently to write in his book and I veryly believe in my heart that Giles Corey is a dreadful wizard for sense he had been in prison he or his appearance has come and most greviously tormented me. Mercy Lewis affirmed to the jury of Inquest. that the above written evidence: is the truth upon the oath: she has formerly taken in court of Oyer & Terminer: Septr 9: 1692

Since Giles Corey refused to plead in court, it was ordered that he be "sentenced" to "peine forte et dure" which is where a person has a board laid on their body and weights placed upon it. So, on September 17, 1692, he was put into a ditch and a board was laid over his body. People started to place rocks on the board. For three days he endured this horrible pain. He was asked to plea but he refused to. Within he three days, he passed, being able to have his estate. (If you plead guilty to being a witch, you lost your land.)

Sir Richard Burton 1821 – 1890, Mortlake Cemetery London.

2010-05-23T13:58:00.000-07:00

Burton was an explorer and is buried with his wife Isabel, in a monument in the shape of an Arab tent in Mortlake cemetery London. He was a fearless traveller leading expeditions including a search for the source of the Nile. He explored not only countries but also cultures and religions, learnt more than 20 languages and dialects, and was captivated by the lure of the East. Burton was not a Catholic, but his wife was a devout. When her husband died in 1890, Lady Burton insisted on a Catholic burial. Public subscription raised the bulk of the £460 needed to build the tomb. The interior was furnished and decorated at a cost estimated at a further £1,000, including both Christian and Islamic symbols, reflecting areas of Burton’s special interest. I wandered around the back to see if the curtain detail continued there and discovered a ladder to a glass window on the roof of the tomb. Despite my fear of heights I climbed up and took some interior shots, both coffins were clearly visible. The tent–like structure is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before and looks almost out of place in the tiny churchyard.

Marigold, daughter of Sir Winston Churchill.

2010-05-22T08:07:00.001-07:00

In the autumn of 1908 Winston Churchill, then a rising Liberal politician, married Clementine Hozier, granddaughter of the 10th Earl of Airlie. Their marriage was to prove a long and happy one Winston and Clementine's first child, Diana, was born in 1909. The Churchill’s' second child and only son, Randolph, was born in 1911. He was exceptionally handsome and his father was very ambitious for him. In 1918 Clementine Churchill gave birth to a third child, a daughter named Marigold.

In 1921, shortly after the deaths of both Clementine's brother and Winston's mother, Marigold contracted septicaemia whilst on a seaside holiday with the children’s' governess. She is buried in this simple grave in a quiet corner of Kensal Green cemetery, London. Their fourth Child Sarah was born in 1914 and in September 1921 Churchill’s' fifth and last child, Mary, was born.

The first time I found the grave of Marigold it was by accident. It was not included in any of the cemetery tours and there is little information about it. I was taking a photo of something else and in trying to capture it all in the viewfinder I stumbled backwards. I felt like there was someone behind me and turned around and stared - there she was. I read it, re-read it, took a couple of shots and afterwards had a quite word with someone in the know who confirmed that this was indeed Churchill’s daughter.

I always wondered why Marigold was not buried with the rest of the Churchill’s, it seems so sad that she's there alone. Maybe as she was only three years old they assumed other family would also be buried in the plot. The cemetery at the time had many Royal and notable people interred there so they obviously thought it was ‘the’ place to be.

James Ford d.1781

2010-05-21T08:16:00.000-07:00

James Ford, d.1781, is currently buried at St Peter's Episcopal Church in Salem, Massachusetts. He was a master write, as his head stone states, but he was also a stone cutter. He cut stones from 1741 until his death in 1781. He also taught penmanship to boys and was a treasurer of the church he is currently "residing" at.

Even though the tombstones were carved by hand , there was not a signature by the stone carver. The way to tell was by the characteristics of the carvings. James Ford had precise, fancy lettering and he used lower case letters. Also, his "J" was written as an "I" and is "l" was written as a "J".

He also carved his own head and foot stone. These stones are on the left hand side of the doors to St Peter's Episcopal Church.

Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris

2010-05-20T10:54:00.000-07:00

One of the many holocaust memorials in Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris.

Salem Mass. and the Witch Trials

2010-05-19T19:57:00.000-07:00

I went to Salem, Massachusetts with my mom on a nice 3 day vacation to learn and understand a little bit more about witches and the Witch Trials of 1692. I learned so much from that trip and I have a lot of fun memories. My favorite is, of course, the cemetery on Charter Street.

The stones here are simply fascinating in their simplicity and history. There is much to see in this little burial ground. I have many future entries regarding what I saw in the cemeteries I visited. However, I will focus on just one for right now.

Here is the encased tombstone of John Hathorne, one of the judges of the witchcraft pre-trials/examinations and ancestor of Nathaniel Hawthorne. John Hathorne is Nathaniel's great-great grandfather. According to Our Silent Neighbors: A study of Gravestones in the Old Salem Area, Nathaniel felt that Justice Hathorne played such a horrid and evil part of the trails, so Nathaniel added the "W" to his last name. The stone is encased in granite. It reads, "Here lyes inter'd ye body of Colo. John Hathorne Esq. Aged 76 years who died May 10th 1717."

Oscar Wilde, Pere Lachaise.

2010-05-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

Oscar Wilde, 16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900, Pere Lachaise cemetery Paris. The art deco style monument is covered in lipstick kisses!

Jean Carries, Pere Lachaise

2010-05-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Jean Carries, Pere Lachaise. A very unusual monument depicting the sculptor and a miniature. Carries was placed in an orphanage age 6 and began working in a sculptor’s studio creating religious images by the age of 13. He was given probationary status the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris in 1874, but failed to pass the admittance test because of poor attendance. However, Carries first exhibited at the Salon a year later and his sculpture was very well received. He worked mostly in bronze and produced historical representations and portraits. Carries moved to the Loire Valley in 1889 and devoted himself to ceramics.

Cleveland Cemetery Video

2010-05-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

Cemetery Man: Requiem For a Loner

2010-05-14T08:27:00.000-07:00

I don't normally plug books here. I leave that to the authors themselves but I've been talking to Daryl "Darko" on Facebook for quite some time and have actually gotten to know him personally. It's not something you get to do with a lot of authors. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to see how a person I feel like I know writes a book, creates a character and tells a story. Daryl offered to meet in person once the book was printed and sign a copy for me so I jumped at the chance. Through Facebook I had the opportunity to watch videos and things he posted of himself doing things like model shoots and walking cemeteries with his mother. What I saw in Daryl was what I like to refer to as eyes of wonder. It's something you see in a lot of artists or photographers. Like he saw something differently than everyone else did. I don't know how to explain it but it's one of those things you'd probably do if you saw a rainbow or something, stare at it in wonder. Daryl is one of these people. I still don't completely know him but the way he saw the world and people was interesting to me. Actually through Facebook I've had the opportunity to meet a number of people that are able to see the world like nobody else. One of them is an author here on the blog as well, Jeane. I feel like if everyone could see the world the way we do that it would be a much better place, a place of appreciation if you will, the ability to find beauty in anything and anyone.

So Daryl and I met for coffee for an hour or two and talked cemeteries and every day life etc. After we were done I immediately went home and read half the book. I found myself trying to figure out if it was an autobiography or fiction. It seemed to me that so much of Daryl had been poured into the character yet it still maintained some fiction. I ended up finishing about a week later due to work obligations. I won't give anything away but I can say that I came away with an understanding of both Daryl and the subjects he brings up. What stuck with me most was his take on religion which is always a subject of interest for me. If you'd like to pick up a copy of this book you can do so here http://www.blurb.com/books/1258853 . It's also full of great pictures of cemeteries. One of these days when I'm able to focus enough time on it I may do something along these lines as well...

City of London cemetery

2010-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

One that tugs at the heart strings, an angel greeting a child who is ascending the stairs to heaven. This beautiful relief carving is from the City of London cemetery.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-05-12T20:11:00.001-07:00

Granite BMW Car Monument.

2010-05-10T00:30:00.000-07:00

This man was a car fanatic, he died last year and his family wanted to mark his passing with a memorable monument. They decided on a headstone in the shape of his favourite BMW M3 convertible. Weighing one ton, the BMW sculpture had to be lowered on to the grave by crane in an operation involving 20 people. It cost around £50,000. Following the recent article in the paper we went to Manor Park cemetery in London to see it and here are the photos. All images © J Trend-Hill.

Scary Angel, West Norwood Cemetery London

2010-05-09T01:34:00.000-07:00

This angel always gives me the creeps for some reason; I think it’s the stare!

Passy Cemetery, Paris

2010-05-06T04:47:00.000-07:00

In Passy Cemetery Paris I discovered this rather ornate monument complete with figure climbing in (or out!) There was a small vent in the brickwork so I poked my camera inside and discovered a wonderful and incredibly lifelike statue of its occupant. I dubbed her the ‘Princess’ as she almost looks like she is lying in state.

Paris

2010-05-05T00:18:00.000-07:00

An unusual find from Paris.

Hungry Tree

2010-05-03T18:11:00.000-07:00

This is the grave of Henry Mumford Taylor and Annie Gilmore buried at Santa Rosa Rural Cemetery in Santa Rosa, CA. The tree was literally beginning to consume the stone. I am no botanist so there is no way to tell the age of the tree. Henry Mumford Taylor was born on 3 May 1831 in Pittsylvania, VA. He died on 6 Feb 1902 in Occidental, CA. He married Annie Florence Gillmore on 28 Oct 1872 in San Francisco, CA. His wife Annie Florence Gillmore was born on 4 Aug 1844 in England. She died on 18 Dec 1913 in Santa Rosa, CA. This is the only information I could find on the two. It makes me wonder how long before the stone is entirely consumed.

Santa Rosa Rural was a beautiful cemetery full of huge oak trees. It was the rainy season and I was doing some scouting for a friend that likes to shoot models in cemeteries. My assignment was to scope it out due to the recent rains and see if it would be too muddy for a model to walk around there all day. Sadly it was too muddy for the model but it wasn't too muddy for me. I stayed there for a couple hours wandering from place to place as I always do. When I finally finished I noticed they had a map at the entrance to the cemetery. Like a kid in a candy store I walked right by it. On the map they had markers placed signifying important grave sites within the cemetery. I started my tour all over again and ended up spending another hour or so there taking the walking tour. It was a great cemetery. They even had a work party that meets once a month to clean up garbage that people left behind and do some straightening. They allow people to show up and help out so maybe I'll be heading back on clean up day. The good thing is the people cleaning up around the cemetery seem to allow the cemetery itself to naturally age. I really liked that about this work party.

This was another great tree that could be found there. Where most cemeteries would have simply chopped it down, this one did something to support it so it could continue to live. I'm a big fan of trees and I commend the cemetery for allowing this beautiful tree to just be. Of course it's now receiving a little help but still beautiful.

This is an example of the wonderful trees and foliage that could be found here as well. I'll be going back real soon...

Well Done / Silent Cities Volume Seven

2010-05-02T06:09:00.001-07:00

I always laugh when I see this cross which is now adorning the cover of my latest book; it’s from the City of London cemetery and states ‘Well Done’.

Silent Cities Volume Seven is now available. Journeying through the architecture of eternity via the eyes and lens of memorial photographer Jeane Trend-Hill. Containing over 150 images of unique monuments including angels, crosses, animals and shrouded figures.

Available from: http://www.lulu.com/product/lulustudio-photo-book/silent-cities-volume-seven/10665027

For further information see: www.homestead.com/askjeane

Lehigh County Massacre Grave

2010-05-01T19:51:00.000-07:00

Here on October 8, 1763, John Snyder and his wife, Anna Margaret Wotring, with their three children and Jacob Alleman's wife and child were killed by Indians. Their bodies were buried 200 yards south of this spot. John Jacob Mickley's children, Henry and Barbara killed the same day were buried half a mile to the east. This was the last Indian massacre in Lehigh County.

Nothing like finding a little piece of history.

Freaky Friday

2010-04-30T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have some issues when it comes to ghosts in cemeteries. This one, from my favorite little mausoleum in Emmaus, PA, freaked me out. This photo is not retouched. I was not where near the lens to get my reflection. As a matter if fact, I stuck my hand inside the back window about an inch to get this shot. I wasn't excepting this though. This is just a creepy photo that gives me the chills.

Hampstead Cemetery London

2010-04-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Still on the subject of weird comes this one from Hampstead cemetery........

Paris - Grim Reaper.

2010-04-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

I've never seen the grim reaper over a family on grave before!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-28T21:22:00.001-07:00

Brompton Cemetery London

2010-04-28T12:05:00.000-07:00

Brompton Cemetery, London. This is the only ‘musical’ headstone I have seen. I wonder if the notes were of a favourite piece.

Emmaus Evangelical Cemetery Update

2010-04-27T20:19:00.003-07:00

Well, let me start from last week. I called Shantz Funeral Home in Emmaus, PA. If ANYONE would know the records, it would have to be a funeral home, right? Well, I was wrong. I was told where to call though! Bethany Methodist Church in Wecosville, Pennsylvania, took over all the cemeteries "that no one cares about." I was saddened by this, but the funeral director gave me hope because he actually knew which cemetery I was talking about!

So I called the church. They do have the records, but not all of them. Donna, the person who is helping me, is trying to find out where Baby Boy Bower is buried. So there, I do have some hope. I did tell her that this cemetery was vandalized so maybe that is what prompted some of these changes.

I went back there today. Some of it was cleaned up. The picture on the left was from April 17, 2010 and the one on the right was from April 27, 2010. Even the plaque for Baby Boy Bower was fixed. It wasn't flat in the ground. It's amazing how this was actually fixed up a bit.

West Norwood Cemetery, London

2010-04-27T01:36:00.000-07:00

You never know who or what you are going to bump into walking around a cemetery. I recently encountered these tame ducks at West Norwood cemetery in London!

West Norwood Cemetery London

2010-04-24T13:58:00.000-07:00

I peered into a vault and this angel startled me at first, you don't expect to see a full size angel inside a vault! I had to wedge my camera against the glass and take a few shots before people walked past and wondered what I was doing!

Stoney, Highgate Cemetery London.

2010-04-22T03:55:00.000-07:00

Stoney, Highgate East cemetery. I love this rock shaped monument for Richard Smith who was involved with the process of using wheat germ in the manufacture of Hovis bread.

St Pancras and Islington Cemetery London

2010-04-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

The bride from St Pancras and Islington cemetery London. A woman depicted in what is believed to be her wedding dress.

To Honor Joe's Brother

2010-04-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Being new to Facebook and Cemetery Explorers I feel I have been deeply honored and priviledged to be asked to contribute to this blog. Even moreso, I feel priviledged to have met Joe Dallmann who has been exceedingly supportive and encouraging. Thank you very much, Joe.

Joe mentioned that he has a brother in the military who is heading to Afghanistan and I think I speak for all here wishing he may complete his tour without incident and that he may return to his family in full health and vigor. This blog entry is to honor Joe's brother.

This is the grave of William Driver located in the old Nashville City Cemetery. Driver was an old salty dog - a wayfaring sailer of the high seas hailing from Salem, MA. It was on William's birthday in 1831 that his friends and family presented him with a gift to take with him on his next oceanic journey. They presented to him an American flag and William proudly hoisted the flag above his ship, The Charles Doggett, as he began his journey around the world.

It was on this journey that William stopped in Tahaiti where he met some of the descendents of the famed HMS Bounty who asked that he take them back to their native Picairn Islands. William Driver did so and took back to their native homeland the survivors of the legendary "Mutiny On The Bounty."

William Driver retired from sailing in 1837 after having sailed around the world on several occasions which was quite an accomplishment for his day. He settled in Nashville, TN where he had relatives. His hope was a quiet and peaceful retirement in the green gentle hills of Nashville surrounded by family and friends. William was living a gentle life and enjoying his retirement and every single day he would display that very flag which accompanied him on his journey around the world. Life was pleasant and serene. Then came the American Civil War.

When Tennessee seceeded from the Union William became fearful for he was a well known Federalist and everyone knew Driver's love for that American flag. William knew his flag was in danger so he took it and sewed it inside a comforter. Legend states that Confederate soldiers did indeed enter Driver's home on several occasions looking to confiscate and destroy his flag but it was never found. Still, William was subjected to taunts and hateful comments from those in Nashville supporting the Confederacy to the extent that he received threats of death.

When Nashville surrendered to Federal forces in 1862 William Driver took the flag which had been sewn inside the comforter and met a Regiment from Ohio as they marched into Nashville for occupation. The Regiment escorted William to the State Capitol building where his flag was then hoisted above.

Toward the end of his life, William Driver presented that old flag to his daughter with the admonition to protect it as a mother would her child. His daughter heeded the admonition and would later present the flag to the Smithsonian Institution where it was placed beside the flag which flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. William Driver's flag is considered one of the most historically significant flags in United States history and Driver's grave is one of only three places in the United States officially authorized by an act of Congress to fly the American flag twenty four hours per day.

You see, William Driver had given a name to his flag back in 1831 when it was presented to him and through all the years he called his flag by name - a name which caught on with the American populace. William Driver named his flag....... "Old Glory." And now you know the rest of the story.

The ship, West Norwood cemetery, London.

2010-04-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

This amazing monument from West Norwood cemetery depicts the adventures of a sailor and his wife. The carving is absolutely wonderful and I love the inscription.

Emmaus Cemetery Vandalized!

2010-04-17T12:38:00.000-07:00

I took another trip to that cemetery on 2nd and Ridge St in Emmaus, Pennslvania. I was saddened by what I saw. The cemetery that I thought was doing so good and getting cleaned has fallen victim to vandalism. Here are some before and after pictures. Really study these. You will see the base of the stones and the position of the stones have moved.
This stone I first saw in October of 2009. Today, I drove by the cemetery because I dropped something off for my grandmother. To get back home, I took a long way around and decided to back into the cemetery. I found this. The stone, which was fairly solid to begin with, fell down. Looking it at a little bit closer, I started to question if it fell down. The base is moved from when I originally saw it. It is off of the concrete base. The bottom section was solid and not cracked.

This stone was already broken when I first saw it in October of 2009. However, a tree does not move a stone this much in 6-7 months. The tree itself didn't seem the change that much. It is a mature tree. Also, these stones are heavy and can't be moved that much.

I wish I had more before and after pictures. However, here are some pictures of how the place looks as of April 17, 2010.

As I promised the township in a letter, I am going to continue to post about this cemetery. I will be making more trips to walk the cemetery and see if any change has happened. I will take pictures. I will continue to see who has the records for the cemetery. I will find where that baby boy is buried. I will try to make the children stop playing in the cemetery. I will do something about it.

Strange Saturday - The Ghost Tree

2010-04-17T07:52:00.001-07:00

Ok first allow me to apologize for my lack of activity here lately as I've been getting killed by work in the real world and it's hard to be creative when I'm so darn tired.

I was going through some pics today and came upon this pic which I've worked with in Photoshp before. I was taking a picture of the shadows because I found them interesting. Does anybody notice anything weird about this picture? I didn't at first either. But notice how all the shadows of the trees start from the base of the tree and branch out. Keep in mind this is an untouched photo. Look at the shadow on the bottom of the picture. I see a shadow but no tree to support the shadow. The way the picture looks the tree that once stood there is off to the right. Then why does it's shadow still remain? I'm not sure if that was the tree that once stood there. That's just speculation. But there is definitely no tree to support this shadow...hmm

Freaky Friday

2010-04-16T20:50:00.001-07:00

One thing that I always found creepy has to be the way memorials and stones erode over time. Some of them aren't that bad. Then there are those that look like they can belong in a horror film.

This child's tombstone is just plain creepy. It's the face that makes me cringe a little on the inside. You can see where the eyes were. The nose looks like it is missing. It looks like there is even a vein in the neck.

Pere Lachaise Paris.

2010-04-16T00:53:00.000-07:00

A wonderfully moving monument from Pere Lachaise Paris.

That Thing Thursday

2010-04-15T20:43:00.000-07:00

I was walking around Neff's Union Church in Pennsylvania taking pictures of wonderful stones and I heard this knock-knock-knock-knock. Mom, who was in the car at the time, said "Becky! A woodpecker!" I looked up at the tree and there it was. A pretty little woodpecker up in the tree staring at me.

According to AllAboutBirds.org, this is a Downy Woodpecker. You can read all about this type of bird and even listen to how it would sound here.

Worldless Wednesday

2010-04-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Tombstone Tuesday - Martha Washington

2010-04-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

Born Martha Dandridge on 2 June 1731 to John Dandridge and Frances Jones in New Kent County, VA.

At 18 Martha married Daniel Parke Custis, who was two decades older then her. They had four children together, two of which died in childhood. Daniel died in 1757, which left Martha rich widow, giving her control over her dower inheritance and trustee control over the children's inheritance. Very unusual for that time.

At age 27, Martha married George Washington on 6 Jan 1759. John and Martha did not have any children together, but they did raise her two children from Daniel together. They also raised Martha's grandchildren from her son, after his death. Even though Martha and George had no children together, many children called Mount Vernon home. According to our tour guide, many descendants of these children still come back to visit the home.

In the will of General Washington, at Martha's death their slaves were to be freed. He did not want to see the slave families split up. Martha freed her slaves on 1 Jan 1801.

The Greyhound, Paris

2010-04-12T04:09:00.000-07:00

The French love their dogs and like to use them to decorate their family monuments, it's a place I see a lot of dogs in cemeteries. I've seen a few in the UK but not that many.

Marylebone, London

2010-04-09T12:32:00.001-07:00

The garden of rest, a small churchyard in Marylebone London which has some very old graves including one for Claude Champion De Crespio dating to 1697. It is one of the oldest graves I have seen with the date still so clearly visible, probably because the area is so sheltered.

Red Cross, Elmers End Cemetery, London.

2010-04-07T13:18:00.000-07:00

Red Cross from Elmers End Cemetery in London. This is the only red cross I have discovered in a cemetery. It stands out a mile!

Thomas Crapper, Elmers End London.

2010-04-04T03:23:00.000-07:00

The Thomas Crapper memorial, Elmers End Cemetery near London. Crapper invented the flushing toilet. This grave was recently restored.

Francis Joseph "Lefty" O'Doul

2010-04-03T06:43:00.001-07:00

Lefty began his career in the minor leagues as a pitcher for the San Francisco Seals and from 1919-1923 played for both the Boston Red Sox and New York Giants. His arm began to give him problems so he was returned to the minor leagues where he converted himself to a power hitting outfielder. He was resigned to the New York Giants as a Platoon Player where he went on to bat .319. O'Doul was traded in 1929 to the Philadelphia Phillies where he won a batting title for hitting .398 with 254 hits, 32 home runs, 122 runs batted in, and 152 runs scored. In 1932 he won another title while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Lefty ended his playing career where it started with the New York Giants in 1934. Then in 1937 Lefty signed to be the manager of the San Francisco Seals minor league team. He stayed there from 1937 to 1951 before going on to manage several other minor league teams. Although Lefty wouldn't take credit for it he was involved with the development of another famous baseball player by the name of Joe DiMaggio . Lefty simply said "I was just smart enough to leave him alone." Lefty was also instrumental in making baseball popular in Japan and even named the Tokyo Giants after his old team back home. He was the ambassador for baseball before and after WWII. Although Lefty is gone the restaurant and bar he founded is not. It can still be found on Geary St. in San Francisco serving Lefty's original Bloody Mary recipe. It is said that the original bartender from 1960 is still employed there. I had been by the place a million times but never actually went in. I guess I'll have to save it for my next trip. Lefty now rests at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, CA. A great addition to my collection of baseball greats. And a great piece of San Francisco history.

Mort safes and cages

2010-03-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

I occasionally come across mort safe’s to prevent body snatching, mainly in Scotland where there are still some great examples to be found. But here are some rarer mort cages from the UK midlands.

Top: Mort safes.

Bottom: Mort cages.

San Francisco Presidio Pet Cemetery

2010-03-28T06:59:00.001-07:00

Dating to around 1950 the San Francisco Presidio Pet Cemetery can be considered one of only two cemeteries left in San Francisco. The other is of course the San Francisco National Cemetery also located at the Presidio. The Pet Cemetery is the final resting place of the pets of many Army personnel that were stationed at the Presidio in and around the 1950's. It was featured on the news one night and I decided that I was going the next day to check it out because I had no idea it was there. Turns out that it's not only home to cats and dogs but hamsters, gold fish, lizards, you name it. Many of the markers bear the names of the owners who happened to rank as high as General in some cases. I personally like the animal cemeteries just for the names alone. Where else are you going to see a weiner dog named Woody? A bunch of construction is going on in close proximity to the cemetery which is probably why it made the news. I don't know what all the construction is about because I didn't listen to that part. I just knew I had to get to this little cemetery before they blocked off the road or something. It's an interesting little stop on a trip to San Francisco. Much more interesting than the uniform military cemetery that we call the National. Here are a few more pics that I took while I was there...

Here you see people (tourists) on one of the many sight seeing tours you can take around San Francisco. The building in the back is what I believe to be military barracks. The Presidio is huge and dates back to the late 1700's when the Spanish ran California...

Here is a wider view where you can see more of the size of things. The orange/brown fence in the back is where they're doing the construction...

Churchyard, Essex UK

2010-03-28T06:40:00.001-07:00

I came across this in the small churchyard of an abandoned church near where I live. It dates to the late 1700s and the skulls are still visable.

Words of Love

2010-03-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

"One Precious to Our Hearts is Gone.

The Voice We Loved is Stilled.

The Place Made Vacant in Our Home

Can Nevermore Be Filled."

Somewhere over the rainbow, Croydon Cemetery

2010-03-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

I've called this 'Somewhere over the rainbow'. From Croydon Cemetery in London.

"What is it?"

2010-03-26T19:17:00.000-07:00

Joe and a bunch of other people at work and in my life asked me what this picture was of. Of course, the picture was this:
It is an angel without a face. She's stunning really. Of course, this isn't her most flattering side.

The tomb stone itself is just amazing. This angel comes from the headstone of Phoebe Trexler, the wife of Nathan Trexler. She lived from February 2nd, 1801, until December19, 1873. She was blessed with 5 children. They were Emeline, Sarah, Edwin, Charles and James.

There doesn't seem to be anything fancy about Phoebe or anything that made her famous that I could find. However, this tombstone is just amazing. For being over 100 years old, the detail is just amazing.

What else got me is that her husbands headstone is just about the same. However, that is an article for another day.

Woodbridge Suffolk UK

2010-03-25T14:20:00.000-07:00

Woodbridge Suffolk has some lovely little churchyards with monuments dating back to around the mid to late 1700s including these rare skulls (most of which don't survive due to the elements.)

Wordless Wednesday

2010-03-24T19:46:00.000-07:00

Cemetery Eagles by Victoriana Lady - Lisa Lewis

2010-03-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

For many of us, cemetery photography is pure joy. Personally I lose all track of time when visiting a 19^th century cemetery or grave yard. Most of us looking for the next great photo are looking down, and rightly so in a cemetery, but the next time you visit a cemetery, don’t forget to look up. On a recent trip to visit my family I visited the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Eustis, Florida, reported to be haunted, in lake County. As I was walking through I spooked a bird out of a tree, and not just any bird, but a bald eagle. As I looked up and pointed my camera to the sky, I heard a woman’s voice calling to me. Over on the other side of the cemetery was another woman with a camera. (No she wasn't a ghost ) She said, “Come with me, I will show you the eagles nest, I live nearby and have been watching it for some time.” When I looked up into the tree and saw my first baby eagle in its nest, I was awestruck! Actually it was the first time I had ever seen a bald eagle, period. Both the parents were circling around the tree, watching us intently, no doubt. I went to the local Wildlife museum before I returned home to PA and learned some interesting facts about bald eagles. In 1782 the United States Congress selected the bald eagle as our national symbol, representing conquest, freedom and strength. More eagles nest in Florida than any other state except Alaska. Florida has a population of about 3,000-4,000 birds, however they are still a threatened species. They can be up to three feet in height and have a wing span of almost eight feet! Young eagles do not develop their characteristic plumage until they are about five years old, they are uniformly brown until then. Eagles are partners and mate for life. If a mate dies they will look for another. Their courtship is nothing short of amazing if you are ever privileged to witness it. They present spectacular aerial displays where the birds grasp each others’ feet high in the air and plummet towards the ground. Often cart wheeling with their wings and legs outstretched. Quite the dance I am sure!

Eagles nest in very tall trees with clear views, Florida eagles in late fall and early winter when food is in abundance. The nests can be as much as 20 feet thick and ten feet across, and they will occupy the nest for decades. One to four eggs are laid and incubated for 33 to 35 days when the first eaglet hatches. They weigh ¼ of a pound upon hatching , within three months they have about 7,000 feathers and gain up to 12 pounds. Young eaglets are the fastest growing birds of all birds in America and leave the nest at 10-12 weeks of age. Many Florida eagles are year round residents while others migrate north as far as Canada. Today the eagles are threatened by human disturbance, habitat loss, exposure to pesticides and collisions with vehicles. It was a privilege for me to witness this amazing site. I tried to zoom in and get the best possible shots with how far up the nest was and how high the parents were flying. At one point the sun was so bright in my eyes, I was simply pointing the camera in the air and randomly snapping. I was happy to get home and find that a few in flight pictures were captured. The photos were taken with a Canon Power Shot A540 camera.

Getting back to the reason for my visit to the cemetery, I also photographed an interesting part of American history, several grave stones marked with signs that read, “Former Slave.” I mean no disrespect by posting these photos. The loved ones of the deceased show honor to their ancestors and their heritage, and I have the highest respect for that homage. I hope you will enjoy seeing these photos as much as I did shooting them.

Avid Taphophile and Victorian Mourning historian, Victoriana Lady Lisa Lewis. You can find more of my cemetery visits at www.VictorianaLady.com on my Taphophilia page.

Tower Hamlets cemetery.

2010-03-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

A man a boy and their dog in a rainy Tower Hamlets cemetery.

Bunhill Fields, London.

2010-03-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Bunhill Fields in London was originally a plague pit. It’s now a quiet oasis in the middle of a concrete jungle with some very old graves circa late 1700s early 1800s, wild flowers and an abundance of squirrels!