A Visit to the Cemetery:
I remember that Memorial Day was for going to the cemetery and tending or cleaning up the plots. As cemeteries became more organized and community-owned, caring was less necessary to tend the plots. But many of the rural cemeteries had no regular care and it was necessary for descendants to care for the ancestral plots. If nothing else, we might leave a bouquet of flowers.
Probably most of us are familiar with the variations in American cemeteries, but it certainly does not prepare us for the German cemeteries. The first thought that one has on visiting a cemetery there is, "How beautiful, it looks like a florist shop." As we walk around and read the inscriptions, we observe how recent the dates are. We might conclude that the cemetery is new, perhaps less than thirty years old. The "new" arises because one leases the space for thirty years, and at the end of that time the plot is reused for another person. Without embalming and with a simple casket, the body that was interred is expected to decay within thirty years. At the end of the thirty years, the management will tell the lessee of the plot to pick up his stone if he wants it, otherwise it will be returned to the stonecutter for possible reuse.
During those thirty years, the plot will nearly always be tended very lovingly. Beds of flowers will be planted, tended, and replaced. Not all of the plots are done the same, so the net result is a riot of color. Most any of the time during the day that one visits, there will be a few people tending their plots, planting, trimming, or watering. A few tools and aids are kept at the cemetery, including a compost heap, spades, water supply, watering cans, and wheelbarrows.
I have told Eleanor that the impression is of a social club. Most of the people know each other and perhaps can even sympathize over the loss of a loved one. But the people do not seem sad; on the contrary, they seem to be happy in the results they are producing. A genealogical researcher finds that the people at the cemetery collectively form a group, which is tied together by social bonds.
The only research one could possibly do at a cemetery is to ask the people if there any family members still living in the village of the name in which you are interested. Perhaps you might amplify and say why you are interested. If you can communicate with them and make yourself understood, you might be surprised at the willingness with which they give you references. They might even make a few calls for you and search for the people who have a knowledge of the history of the family.
(30 May 04)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.