Block Party @ San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Copyright © 2013 by Cheryl Palmer

Dublin Cemetery Tour

The Museum of San Ramon Valley in downtown Danville is offering a tour of Dublin Cemetery this Saturday, March 30, 2013! I have posted on Dublin Cemetery previously in this blog.

Dublin Cemetery is located at 6600 Donlon Way, off Dublin Blvd. in Dublin. You are requested to be there promptly at 1:00pm. The tour will last approximately one hour and you will be able to visit the historical buildings at Dublin Heritage Park and Museums afterwards. A great time to tour St. Raymond Church and the Murray School house along with the Kolb house.

Many pioneer families have been buried in the Dublin Cemetery. Names include Norris, Rasmussen, Lunch, and Glass among others. A $3 donation to the Museum of San Ramon is suggested. Here is the link if you would like more information~

http://www.museumsrv.org/MSRVUpcomingEvents.html

I am hoping to attend and look forward to seeing you there!

Copyright © 2013 by Cheryl Palmer

It's A Blogiversary!

Hum, I am having a few new Learning experiences which I hope is what I can call them. I had this post ready to go and post on the 23rd at 11:28 AM for my blogiversary, but just now realized it never posted! I believe have have another post that hasn't posted yet either. I am going to post this one now, I just don't know what hung it up...

                 

Thank you to Thomas from Geneabloggers for bringing attention to the Graveyard Rabbit of Southern Alameda County this morning! I receive Geneabloggers email daily and this morning it posted a greeting which reminded me that today is the 4th Blogiversary of this blog! It is hard to believe it has been four years already.  You would think I would have remembered

This year has been a tough, busy one so you haven't seen as many posts, but I sure hope that all changes very soon!

Thank you all for following, commenting and checking in! I really appreciate it! In fact, that is the best blogiversary gift I could have! 

Planning a blog post real soon, I hope, be on the look out!

Photo courtesy MzNappyTri.com

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

For Immediate Release

Another post that was scheduled and didn't post here...not sure why...

I received this in my email today, very interesting! Please read on, and be sure to click the links ~


For Immediate Release.
Sunday October 28, 2012 is “Visit a Cemetery Day”

Cemeteries are much more than just a peaceful and tranquil resting place for the departed. They are also a fascinating snapshot of a community's historical timeline, a proud and permanent museum for those who came before and helped shape the identity and personality of every community across North America.

From unique names, interesting symbols, dates and thoughtful epitaphs engraved into each unique headstone and mausoleum, each and every marker in a cemetery has its own interesting story that should be shared.

Sunday, October 28, is the second annual “Visit a Cemetery Day” celebrated across North America brought to you by International Memorialization Supply Association (IMSA), mysendoff.com, Kates-Boylston publisher of American Cemetery Magazine and funeral professionals and cemeterians.

"Visit a Cemetery Day" is a day in which everyone comes together to show their support for the historical and social importance cemeteries have in their community. Not only are cemeteries the best place to learn about the rich history of a community, they are also a place where a person can trace their ancestry through the generations.

"Visit a Cemetery Day" isn't just a day to commemorate those who came before, but rather it encourages people to embrace the celebration of life and to learn about the people who've helped shape each and every community across North America.

Whether it’s to bring flowers, wreaths or other tributes to the final resting places of family members and friends, take a quiet walk along the paths, photograph headstones and mausoleums, or study the engravings etched on headstones, "Visit A Cemetery Day" is also a wonderful opportunity to spend a beautiful autumn day with family and friends and visit the gravesites of ancestors and departed friends, before the cooler temperatures of winter arrive.

On "Visit A Cemetery Day", everyone is encouraged to take the time to visit a local cemetery to show their respect to those who came before and also enjoy an interesting and memorable day with family and friends, because every life is worth celebrating and remembering.

For further information please visit www.mysendoff.com/visitacemeteryday or contact mysendoff.com founder Colin Firth atcolinfirth@mysendoff.com for more information.

------

International Memorialization Supply Association is the premiere organization of companies and professionals serving funeral service. To learn more about the International Memorialization Supplier Association, please visit www.imsa-online.com

Mysendoff.com is the Internet’s largest resource to help educate consumers about their personalized funeral life celebration planning and is the only website that brings together consumers and forward-thinking funeral service professionals. For more information please visitwww.mysendoff.com

Kates-Boylston Publications has been serving funeral and cemetery professionals since 1877 with their industry-leading publications American Funeral Director and American Cemetery. For more information please visit www.kates-boylston.com









Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Local Cemetery Vandalism

Most of the time I think of vandalism being done by kids with nothing better to do. Vandalism happens all over the country on cemetery grounds. I never like reading these articles. Tonight, I read an article about vandalism at a cemetery in Alameda County. The person who performed the vandalism was not a teenager and apparently felt he had real reason for what he did. He has been arrested and is in jail. I am amazed at the cost of the clean up.

You can read the article here at the Mercury News dot com site.






Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Chapel of the Chimes-Andrews

Martha West Andrews ~ January 12, 1942 ~ March 8, 2004.

RIP

Located at Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California. I took this photo October 27, 2008 when I was visiting my relatives who have their final resting places in this cemetery. I have relatives of relatives interred here and a high school classmate. As I am thinking of this and remember the classmate, I realize I haven't been to her place of rest in a very long, long time. I will put that on my agenda the next time I am there visiting.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Ceremony at Oak Knoll Cemetery ~ Was Cancelled

Apparently the ceremony which I posted about in my last post here and was to have been held last Saturday, had been cancelled. Daniel apparently forgot to send me that message. I was informed it was cancelled due to weather conditions, although I went there and it was nice. A bit windy and cool maybe, but no rain at all, and that was to be the only reason for cancellation that I was aware of.

I had spoken with Daniel via e-mail and had hoped to take a few pictures to share on the blog here, which seemed ok with him, well, at first anyway. Upon returning home there was an email that had been sent to me that they preferred not to have photos. Ok, I only wish that was said up front, I can and would have respected that if I had been aware.

I was disappointed when I went to Oak Knoll and no one was there. I decided to walk through the area anyway, and took some pictures. The place could use some clean up for sure. It isn't drastic, but some clean up would be nice.

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

This site was a bit sad for me, seeing the blanket. Knowing there are homeless in the general area of course it made me wonder if someone had been making this area their home, or should I say "their bedroom." To the right of the blanket is a little hole in the shrubbery where someone could crawl in and be a bit protected from the rain and cold. The garbage here and there on the property isn't unusual as high school kids use the grounds as a short cut on the way to school.

One section at the bottom of the hill is planted every year with Daffodil bulbs.

In the spring they bloom. A side street to this hill is a fairly busy street going into and out of Livermore, and you can see the flowers from there as well. This area is know as Daffodil Hill. The flowers were blooming when I was there last weekend. The next pictures I am sharing are from the bottom of the hill, close to that street.

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

The Old Oak Knoll Cemetery Grounds. Livermore, California. Photo taken March 18, 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

As I was finishing up walking and picture taking, I happened to stop to admire a view over the high school and off into the hills. I was in a kind of daze when all of a sudden I heard someone speaking. I jolted and did a quick turn to look to see who it was. It was a lady walking down the hill on the path towards me. I looked back in the direction I had been gazing when I heard this woman say "She is just standing there."

It felt as though she had actually stopped walking and started whispering when she said this, but I heard her. She kept walking and talking right on by me. I had an immediate feeling she was associated with what would have been "the ceremony." I watched her as she walked right next door to the high school parking lot to where a yellow Jeep was parked, right in front of my view.

There were a couple people in the Jeep waiting for her. The feeling I had was that this group made their way over to see the area for themselves. The woman had been scouting the grounds, and I believe saw me and knew who I was. I am terribly disappointed that she didn't stop to talk to me, and that they didn't perform their ceremony. I also have a feeling they may be back to hold the ceremony, but won't be apt to fill me in on when.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Tombstone Tuesday - Silva-Symbolism

Location: Pleasanton Pioneer Cemetery

MIS. SILVA

BORN IN

WESTERN ISLANDS

1847

DIED

SEPT. 18, 1893

AGED

46 Y'RS.

_____

REST IN PEACE

There is a cross and a crown at the top of the headstone symbolizing both victory and Christianity. Sometimes this symbol denotes a member of the York Rite Masons.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

THIS SUNDAY ~ Ancestor-honoring Ceremony at Oak Knoll Cemetery

This Sunday, March 18, from 11am-3pm at Oak Knoll Cemetery in Livermore, Daniel Foor will be conducting an "Ancestor-honoring Ceremony." The following is reposted (with permission) from Daniel's website, Ancestral Medicine explaining this event. His website gives details about his ancestral work, earth offering rituals, personal sessions and ministerial services. There is a section "About Daniel" along with some testimonials and a place where you can subscribe to his newsletters. Take a peak at his website and maybe I will see you at Oak Knoll on Sunday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Places of burial are seen as a sacred ground by both secular and religious cultures worldwide, and conversely, desecrated graves are seen as potential sources of spiritual disturbance. By assuming communal responsibility for honoring the local dead, we can enjoy nourishing relationships with the ancestors and support our communities to be places of spiritual vitality and health. This community teaching and ceremony will focus on ways to honor the ancestors of place and will be held at a historically desecrated and abandoned cemetery near a public high school in Livermore, Ca. Oak Knoll Cemetery was the final resting place of about ninety early Livermore residents from 1873 to 1931; however there are no longer any grave markers or monuments. The area is now a public park in a state of disrepair and a popular destination for ghost hunters. Upon arrival, we will clean up any garbage from the area, and discuss in circle beliefs and practices regarding the ancestors. We will then offer an inclusive, heart-centered ceremony to convey our respect and goodwill to the spirits of place. No prior experience is necessary and the offering will be interfaith and welcoming to people of all backgrounds.

Logistics:We'll gather from 11am-3pm (2:30-3pm time for group lunch after ceremony, bring your own). We'll still gather in light rain and cancel for severe weather. Please bring a simple natural offering (e.g., flowers, cornmeal, tobacco, ash, spirits/whiskey/etc.) to contribute to the ritual. $40 suggested contribution. Confirmation in advance is helpful.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Wordless Wednesday ~ "Charles"

"Charles"

Pioneer Cemetery, Fremont, California. Photo taken by Cheryl Palmer, 2011.

Copyright © 2012 by Cheryl Palmer

Wilson Memorial

From St. Michael's Cemetery in Hayward, California the memorial of Peter Wilson ~

Died Oct. 17, 1820

Copyright © 2010 by Cheryl Palmer

Wordless Wednesday ~ Ronda ~ Roselawn Cemetery, Livermore

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Meet A Rabbit #74

Today we meet Graveyard Rabbit number 74, Julie Goucher. She is the author of Grave Encounters. Julie agrees with the rest of us Graveyard Rabbits that headstones and monuments deserve to be treated with respect and treasured. Sounds like a great addition to the organization to me! You can read more about her here, at the Graveyard Rabbit Association Blog. Enjoy!

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Meet A Rabbit #73

The seventy third graveyard rabbit to join our association is Angela L. Burke. Angela's blog is "Headboards of Stone - A Mississippi Graveyard Rabbit Blog." Her featured bio can be found here at the main page of The Graveyard Rabbit Association Blog. Wait until you see how she spent her childhood! We welcome Angela! Enjoy!

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

From St. Michael's Cemetery In Livermore

We share with you today, the memorial of Margaret Doyle.

In memory of

MARGARET.

Native of Bray Co. Willow

Ireland

beloved wife of

GEORGE DOYLE

Died August 23, 1876

Aged 65 years.

___

Erected by her daughter

AGNES.

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Wordless Wednesday ~ Alderigi

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Meet Rabbit #72

I would once again like to share another Graveyard Rabbit feature from the Association. This time we meet Rabbit #72 Kellie Walton, author of the blog "She finds Friends." Kelli's father reminds me very much of my own father with his great sense of humor. Read what Kellie's father told his children when they were young! Do you think it has anything to do with why she became a Graveyard Rabbit today? You can find her story here! Enjoy!

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Bucannan Headstone

I wanted to share another view of the San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery. This view shares a bit of the destruction that happened here in the past, along with some mature trees. You see a bit of this behind the headstone that is front and center. This is a view down one side of the cemetery, where you can see there was a black cyclone fence installed to help protect these monuments. This photo was taken quite a while ago so I am looking forward to heading there again one day soon to see how the refurbishing project is coming along that the Hayward Area Historical Society has been working on.

The headstone front and center is the resting place of:

MRS. MARY BUCHANNAN

DIED

JAN. 22, 1888.

AGED 62 Y'rs 6 M's

NATIVE OF NEW YORK

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer

Meet A Rabbit #71

There have been many new Graveyard Rabbits, I need to play catch up again!

Here is a start ~

Rabbit #71 is Sue Jones whose blog is "Sleeping Gardens and Other Final Resting Places." She is from Saffron Waldron in Essex England. You can read about her at the Graveyard Rabbit Association page here. Enjoy!

Copyright © 2011 Cheryl Palmer

A Deed for Sale on the Internet?

San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery

It has been almost 10 days since I found out about this article, just couldn't seem to get here to post about it until now:

Will your family history be sold on Ebay? written by Toni Mann.

Can you imagine seeing a deed for a cemetery plot for sale on EBAY?

The article caught my attention because it referred to San Lorenzo Pioneer Cemetery. It also caught my attention because Toni Mann wrote the article. She writes for the San Lorenzo Patch. I have never met Toni, but have had a couple of correspondences with her online. We have San Lorenzo definitely in common along with the cemetery and maybe even genealogy research.

Toni shared with me the research she did for this article and explained she found the picture of the grave site on Find A Grave. She did the usual genealogical research, looking through census records and learning about the family that is involved.

Head on over and read the article!

Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Palmer