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<DIV>ODOT compiled and published the Oregon Cemetery Survey and Oregon Burial
Site Guide. I think one was done ca. 1979 and the second in the late
1980's. After seeing a copy for sale on-line for fifty dollars, my sister
called ODOT and found that they still sell the book. She ordered one for
herself and one for me and I believe the cost was about $15.00. I don't
have the book in front of me and don't recall the exact price. It's a a
good book, as far as it goes. The problem is that it doesn't go far
enough; it lists the more visible cemeteries but in a quick glance I found that
many small cemeteries that I know were not listed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In seeking out those obscure rural burial sites, I've found two methods
that have been fairly successful. The first is to find a small grocery or
post office in the area and ask if they know. If they don't, ask who in
the area might know. It sometimes takes a phone call or two, but long time
local residents know their own backyard. The second is to seek out the
county surveyor's office or the county tax office. The county surveyor's
office has maps that no other office has and they seem to know just about
everything. The tax assessor's office also knows what land is used for
what purpose (which is a mixed blessing). These methods work
best face-to-face.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Finding information about specific graves in cemeteries can also be a
magical mystery tour. Older well-established cemeteries usually had
sexton's records...a plat map or record book. Many of those records still
exist, the problem is locating them. One way is to look at those small
metal markers which are usually provided by a mortuary; often the name of
the mortuary is the only thing still visible. Contact that mortuary.
Usually they can tell you who to contact about a specific cemetery.
Some mortuaries also have good records of individual burials including the next
of kin. If the cemetery has a church affiliation or lodge (oddfellows;
masons, etc ) affiliation look for records in those places. Cemetery plots
have been a saleable commodity since at least the late 1800's so records and
receipts were created for many plots...finding them is part of the
adventure!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Carla</DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>