I love genealogy and old cemeteries! A few short years ago, I found my grandmother's little bro and sister's graves in MN. where we moved to search family history. They were 8 and 9 yrs. of age & are lying side by side and died of cholera approx. 1888-1889. I was so excited to find these graves. Since my father's cousin was the "caretaker" of these graves for many yrs.,& has since passed away, my husband and I have done so with pleasure. I also "looked" for my gr. gr. grandmother's grave three times in Iowa, but no success.....historical soc. sent me a pic. I was thrilled, but have not personally seen the grave yet. When studying the pic., I discovered her young son was buried beside her, providing the answer to our "wondering" whatever happened to him!
Yes, cemeteries are "for the living", but it gives me great satisfaction that graves are being cared for and respected. It is great that people are taking such interest now in preserving this heritage. When I stand at a grave of an older ancestor, I wonder what kind of life they led, the hardships they must have endured, the large families they must have raised and yet they somehow survived. When I finally find the obit, that is always interesting and helpful!
We have raised four children, they are thru college and married now and I have more time now to devote toward traveling and "searching for another old cemetery"!