While I am happy to transfer memorials, the request has to come as an edit through the desired memorial itself, so that I don't make errors.

I volunteer with the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society of Nebraska, which has an online collection of obituaries (with hard-copy cards of the original news clippings in a public library). The obituaries are for people with any connection to Washington County. The link is free (credit to the Gen. Society is appreciated if used) http://www.newashcogs.org/obits

We want to help people realize they are part of larger families, making a link themselves in the on-going stories.
My husband and I have enjoyed taking photos and learning the stories of times and people gone by. We have heard the scream of eagles overhead, seen large owls swiftly make their silent dives, and watched an antlered stag peacefully munching acorns in an old downtown cemetery in Council Bluffs. Walking through soggy ground in a tiny country cemetery, we wondered why people would bury kin in low-lying areas--until we looked up at the highway, and saw the road was built up, with the cemetery left down level with the ditch (we called the state dept. on that--the first graves were there before that state entered the Union, and it wouldn't take much to dig the ditch a couple of feet deeper). Trying to fulfill a 20th century photo request, I saw in the obit that there would be a Spring interment, suggesting cremation had occurred. Sometimes family members don't always get the job done (that happened in our extended family--the surviving spouse sort of liked keeping the box in the house, and then went on to survive several decades). Trying to locate this requested grave, I called both the Funeral Home and the Sexton, and neither had any listing for this last name at all. I then wrote the memorial creator to see if the names belonged in this cemetery. I suggested perhaps the memorial could be removed, unless he knew for sure Clara and George were buried there (and then it would be a serious kindness to contact the funeral home and the sexton). Sometimes burials are privately made in family plots, particularly with cremains, and it would be a shame to have somebody else buried right on top of the urn just because nobody let the gravediggers know. Sextons from different cemeteries have said that is an increasingly common worry and occurrence. We have learned a lot since we started volunteering with FindaGrave! And to think that as a kid I found history boring :)

Below is a poem I found on another volunteer's profile. It is credited to Thelma Greene Reagan "Recording of a Cemetery"

Today we walked where others walked on a lonely, windswept hill; Today we talked where others cried for loved ones whose lives are stilled.

Today our hearts were touched by graves of tiny babies;Snatched from the arms of loving kin,In the heartbreak of the ages.

Today we saw where the grandparents lay in the last sleep of their time; Lying under the trees and clouds -Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.

Today we wondered about an unmarked spot; Who lies beneath this hallowed ground? Was it a babe, child, young or old? No indication could be found.

Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay. We had been here once before on a day we'd all like to forget, But will remember forever more.

Today we recorded for kith and kin the graves of ancestors past; To be preserved for generations hence, A record we hope will last.

Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend, For stones sometimes crumble to dust and generations of folks yet to come will be grateful for your trust.

While I am happy to transfer memorials, the request has to come as an edit through the desired memorial itself, so that I don't make errors.

I volunteer with the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society of Nebraska, which has an online collection of obituaries (with hard-copy cards of the original news clippings in a public library). The obituaries are for people with any connection to Washington County. The link is free (credit to the Gen. Society is appreciated if used) http://www.newashcogs.org/obits

We want to help people realize they are part of larger families, making a link themselves in the on-going stories.
My husband and I have enjoyed taking photos and learning the stories of times and people gone by. We have heard the scream of eagles overhead, seen large owls swiftly make their silent dives, and watched an antlered stag peacefully munching acorns in an old downtown cemetery in Council Bluffs. Walking through soggy ground in a tiny country cemetery, we wondered why people would bury kin in low-lying areas--until we looked up at the highway, and saw the road was built up, with the cemetery left down level with the ditch (we called the state dept. on that--the first graves were there before that state entered the Union, and it wouldn't take much to dig the ditch a couple of feet deeper). Trying to fulfill a 20th century photo request, I saw in the obit that there would be a Spring interment, suggesting cremation had occurred. Sometimes family members don't always get the job done (that happened in our extended family--the surviving spouse sort of liked keeping the box in the house, and then went on to survive several decades). Trying to locate this requested grave, I called both the Funeral Home and the Sexton, and neither had any listing for this last name at all. I then wrote the memorial creator to see if the names belonged in this cemetery. I suggested perhaps the memorial could be removed, unless he knew for sure Clara and George were buried there (and then it would be a serious kindness to contact the funeral home and the sexton). Sometimes burials are privately made in family plots, particularly with cremains, and it would be a shame to have somebody else buried right on top of the urn just because nobody let the gravediggers know. Sextons from different cemeteries have said that is an increasingly common worry and occurrence. We have learned a lot since we started volunteering with FindaGrave! And to think that as a kid I found history boring :)

Below is a poem I found on another volunteer's profile. It is credited to Thelma Greene Reagan "Recording of a Cemetery"

Today we walked where others walked on a lonely, windswept hill; Today we talked where others cried for loved ones whose lives are stilled.

Today our hearts were touched by graves of tiny babies;Snatched from the arms of loving kin,In the heartbreak of the ages.

Today we saw where the grandparents lay in the last sleep of their time; Lying under the trees and clouds -Their beds kissed by the sun and wind.

Today we wondered about an unmarked spot; Who lies beneath this hallowed ground? Was it a babe, child, young or old? No indication could be found.

Today we saw where Mom and Dad lay. We had been here once before on a day we'd all like to forget, But will remember forever more.

Today we recorded for kith and kin the graves of ancestors past; To be preserved for generations hence, A record we hope will last.

Cherish it, my friend; preserve it, my friend, For stones sometimes crumble to dust and generations of folks yet to come will be grateful for your trust.