Are Your Ancestors Buried Here? Our ancestors travelled, I have come to believe, even more than we do today. One would be born in Scotland or Ireland and end his days in Australia, India, Canada, the United States or anyplace in between. They say we learn something new every day and this I learned today: all of us who have a non-morbid fascination with cemeteries have a name - Taphophile. We Taphophiles have a problem, and that is to find the final resting place for that elusive ancestor who holds the key to our family research. Personally, I have found some of my family's ancestors in some of the most unlikely places. Just thinking about the strange experiences I have had in the course of my research sparked an idea in this old head. At this time of year the ground is covered with snow where I live, making cemetery visiting impossible. Wouldn't it be nice if we could help each other with what we do already know? I would like to invite you all to take part in an exercise to help each other find that special someone. You could send me a gravestone inscription which shows the name, dates and place of origin of any person who was a pioneer or very early settler in your area. This person could be just the one someone else is attempting to find. I will then place it in my column and it can be updated on a regular basis, depending on the input. To start things going and to show the information that would be useful I will start with some from my own area, in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada. Gravestones from New Mills, Restigouche Co., New Brunswick, Canada Thomas McMILLAN died Jan 17, 1836 age 65. Wife Margaret DUNCAN died Jan 16, 1837 age 63. They emigrated from the Isle of Arran, Scotland in 1833. Erected by their son John. Robert McINTOSH, native of Logerail, Perthshire Scotland died Dec 12, 1846 age 72. Also his wife Agness of same place died may 6, 1863 age 81. Charles McALLISTER died Sep 21, 1876 age 82 wife Mary FERGUSON died Dec 2, 1878 age 77. Natives of Island of Arran, Scotland. Their daughter Grace died May 1839 age 6 years. James McNAIR 1801-1881 native of Ayreshire, Scotland. Margaret HAMILTON his wife 1799-1839. His second wife Ann HAMILTON 1814-1894 both natives of the Isle of Arran Scotland. Sarah 1853-1932. Sons Alexander 1825-1889, Archibald 1841-1931 Gravestones from Old Holy Family RC Cemetery, Bathurst, Gloucester Co., New Brunswick, Canada John FLANNERY pioneer resident, early founder of Bathurst town. Officer in Gloucester Militia 1829. Born 1800 in Templemore, Co. Tipperary Ireland, died Sep 1, 1882. His wife Mary MURPHY cousin of Charles CARROLL of Carrolton, Maryland, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Erected by their great grandson the Rev. Charles J. MERSEREAU. John O'CONNELL 1787-1864 native of Cork Ireland. Wife Helen QUINN born 1796 Cork, and Catherine O'CONNELL 1822-1828 born in Cork, Ireland. This could be 'the start of something good', as the song goes. I eagerly await your input and as you can see from the above, that is the type of information that is useful and interesting. Until we meet again, here's wishing you all success in the hunt for your roots. Archives: Part One: Introduction to the Wonderful World of Cemetery Research Part Two: Recording Gravestone Information Part Three: The Face of a Gravestone Part Four: Cleaning Gravestones Part Five: Restore or Beautify? Part Six: Are Your Ancestors Buried Here? Part Seven: Visit to an Ancestor Comments or Suggestions? Contact Patsy by E-Mail Back to Musings from the Cemetery Patsy's Mailbag