by Rocky Macy
The best thing about writing Rootbound week after week is knowing that the work is occasionally of benefit to others. Those sincere "thank-yous" are better than paychecks. Take, for instance, the one that arrived recently from Dorothy SCHLAUD in Michigan. Please read on...
Dorothy SCHLAUD (6303 Woodsdale Drive, Grand Blanc, MI 48439) ran a query a couple of months ago seeking information on the May-Keith Cemetery near Maysville, AR, the place where many of her relatives are buried. Dorothy was concerned about the deteriorating condition of the cemetery, and she wanted to learn who to contact about fixing it up.
We then noted a few weeks later that Rose STAUBER of Grove, OK, had written to say that she was assisting Dorothy in determining ownership of the cemetery.
Dorothy, in her current letter, states that Rose has located the name of the individual who owns the land around the cemetery, and that she (Dorothy) has contacted him and received permission to work at straightening it. And, as an added bonus, Dorothy's query to Rootbound also brought responses from a couple of relatives who still reside in this area. It's always great to know that people are reading Rootbound and reaching out to their misplaced relatives!
Rose STAUBER is still reading the column also. After the last mention of the cemetery ran in this column telling people to direct responses to Rose, she quickly fired off a letter stating that this is Dorothy's project and all correspondence should go to her. Sorry, Rose.
Rose's letter posed some interesting questions about the actual ownership of family cemeteries, and their access to the public if surrounded by private land. Rootbound would be interested in hearing from any of our readers who have some legal expertise (or personal knowledge) in this area. It undoubtedly varies by state.
The STAUDT/STOUDT/STOUT (1733-1991) 17th annual family reunion will be held on Sunday, August 25th, 1991, at Umbenhauer's Park in Bernville, PA. For more information on this family organiztion or the reunion, please contact Mrs. Beulah STOUDT FOLLMER at Rt. 1, Box 897, Shillington, PA 19607.
John Mitchell RORABAUGH was born 16 Mar 1837 in Randolph County, VA, and died 19 Nov 1912 at Diamond, Newton County, MO. Do any of our readers know where he is buried? Roy L. RORABAUGH (1727 High Street, Keokuk, IA 52632) wants to know.
And while we're searching for burial sites, Bob WILKERSON (Rt. 2, Box 127, Urbana, MO 65767) wishes to know the final resting place of Daniel SARTWELL (1809-1878). Was it the Pineville Cemetery, Spring Hill Cemetery, or some other location? Also among the missing is Daniel's widow, Elizabegth COON SARTWELL (1816-1890). Where is she buried? Their children were: Ancel, Pulaski, Helen, and Candice (married John CREACH). Are their descendants still in this corner of the Ozarks?
Irene NICOLICH (HCR 79, Box 1357, Hoquiam, WA 98550) needs birth and death dates for Isaac and Martha (NORRIS) GARMAN who died in Gravette, AR, and are buried in Word Cemetery. Where were they born? Where in Missouri was Mary Jane (RUSSELL) GARMAN born and who were her parents? Irene would like to correspond with descendants of these people.
Thanks to the Genealogy Friends of the Library of Neosho and the Exchange Club of Neosho for inviting this columnist to speak to their respective organizations. If other area groups are interested, we now have two prepared talks: one on the basics of genealogy and the other on the genealogy of several Ozark outlaws and desperadoes. For more information on these free programs, please write to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper.
Happy hunting!
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