In the early 1970's as a kid, I can recall playing near my grandmother's home in the Annapolis Valley and stumbling over several old headstones that were strewn about in a small, heavily overgrown, wooded area. Not only were the grave markers broken and practically illegible, they also appeared to be forgotten and I thought to myself how tragic ...how could this have happened!!

But my interest in gravesites really began in 1990 when by chance, I came across the Molson family mausoleums in Montreal. I remember being in awe of their magnificence and splendor ... ancient tombs, reminiscent of an age gone by. A few years later, in 1995 during my studies at the University of Edinburgh, I again was intrigued with the ancient headstones I scanned while walking through an Abby cemetery just off the 'Royal Mile'.

Now, zoom ahead 25 years to March 2, 2026. I was in Leamington, Ontario, visiting my one remaining aunt who, along with her three sisters, had come to Canada after WWII to start a new life. While I was searching for family gravesites in Leamington, for relatives who had immigrated after WWI, I came across the 'Find a Grave' website.