Restore or Beautify? Restore or beautify? I used to think both these words meant pretty much the same thing when it came to historic properties such as cemeteries. The question comes up wherever there are congregations or civic officials who want to put a good face on their community, especially now that genealogy has become a passion for so many people. I believe there has to be a concerted effort on our part to keep a close watch on what is actually being done - is it restoration or beautification? This question is widespread throughout the world and I have some firsthand experience with the same here in my own community. Two particular cases have prompted me to think carefully on this after I spoke to a church committee member about the two aging cemeteries under their jurisdiction. Fundraising was an insurmountable obstacle for this church so they hired a local landscaper at a cost within their means. One cemetery now looks beautiful. There are well groomed spaces between the stones, no bumpy spots to trip over and it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. The church committee was also very pleased with itself, and rightly so from their point of view because now the cemetery was beautiful. Those annoying bumps were gone forever, dug up and thrown away in the process of beautification. But when it was pointed out to Church officials that the "annoying bumps" were actually gravestones (aka genealogical records) that had been covered over with dirt and mud over the years, and that in the process of "beautifying" they lost many valuable stones, they started to look at it from perspective of genealogy. By this time, it was too late. This same church has an old cemetery of first Scottish settlers under its jurisdiction. Now they are going to pull out all the stops to raise the money to have it restored properly - that is to have the stones which are buried beneath a few inches of soil brought to the surface where more pages of our wonderful history can be seen. An undertaking such as this is impossible for the particular congregation. But, as the community at large has a connection in some way to the graveyard, even if it is a matter of keeping the neighbourhood neat, all citizens should be involved. Corporate sponsors will be approached as corporate citizens. Governments at all levels have monies set aside for worthwhile projects such as this. Members who have moved away shall be approached for contributions. Descendents of the persons buried there will be contacted for their financial assistance. The many thousands of people searching their roots are a force to be reckoned with when they band together. Each of us, in our own community, can start the momentum by taking every opportunity to make our leaders, be they in business or government, aware of the importance of our history. They will listen. We just have to talk and talk and talk until they start listening. Take a look around your own area. Be a leader in this crusade. It only takes one person to start. With the wonderful world of the internet wouldn't it be something to have a worldwide community with the same concern? This could enhance world relations on the grass roots level. Let us honour our ancestors. Our children will then see that we shall be honoured in turn, and so on down through future generations. 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