I have searched for recent graves of ancestors, but no one past my great-grandparents though. I have found that most of them who died as recently as the 80s, if that can be considered recent (haha), do not have grave markers.
I used to be puzzled over why so many of my relatives didn't have them. Why? Well, they are too damn expensive! I priced some locally and the cost is astronomical for these markers! I believe they were unaffordable for my ancestors too. So years go by after the person dies, people return to their regular routine of life, and family members sometimes move to different areas of the city, state or country - all is forgotten.
Then you have a family historian, like me, come along. Where's the grave? I checked the death certificate, it shows where they're buried, if the cemetery still exist you call the office, and they inform you, "this person is in an unmarked grave." Here''s another scenario, you join findagrave.com. You can request others in the area where your loved one is buried to go and photograph the grave site. Usually the results are good but a few times they write back that there is no marker. I can't be embarrassed nor ashamed because I already know that the family couldn't afford a marker. I learned with colored (graves) cemeteries there were many restrictions on the type of marker that could used. I could imagine someone going home and making a wooden frame, pouring some concrete and making the imprints before it completely dries.
These unmarked graves in my head makes me want to do something and not just write about it. It sort of haunts me. But, I want to make sure each grave has an identifying grave marker. I feel as though the ancestors want me to honor them by procuring the funds necessary to ensure that they are recognized in death.
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Honoring My Maternal Grandparents - Gillie & Lena Peters
Gillie Peters and Lena Belle Bracy were wedded on April 15, 1922 in Wharton County, Texas. From this union four children were born, in which my mother was their only daughter. The family lived in the small community town of Wharton. Grandmother was a soft-spoken country girl - a PK (preacher's kid). My grandmother was the eldest of six children; grandfather was the youngest of four.
While I am not sure how they met. I wish someone I knew that story. I do know my grand aunt did not like my grandfather and told me she didn't, that, "he messed up the family color." She would complain that he was too dark. They came from a family stock of mulattoes (light bright).
I used to hear that my grandfather was seventeen years older than my grandmother, but sorry to debunk that myth, but that was not the truth at all!! He was only six years older instead of seventeen. But, that would not have been unheard of in those days.
I do know my grandfather, Gillie died in October of 1938, when my mother was only three years-old. Unfortunately, but most of what I heard about my grandfather has been all negative, that he was verbally abusive, that he would not allow my grandmother to go to her mother's funeral, that he put their firstborn, my uncle Robert outside in the cold, and afterwards he became ill and died.
My grandmother passed in 1977.
Fortunately for me, I get an idea for what my grandmother was like, from my older first cousins, who had the privilege to live next door to our grandmother. Every now and then, I get to talk with them about grandmother. She used to tell them about her father, about growing up, about her first-born child, and about allowing her youngest children to live with other relatives.
When I saw this photo (above) for the first time I was thrilled! Before this I had never seen how my grandfather looked. I treasure this photo and have made several copies for relatives. I imagine this photo is dated around the time they were married, in 1922, or perhaps later.
I have other photographs of grandmother, but this is the only one I have of my grandparents together.
Today, I honor them. Their legacy lives on through the lives of ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.
While I am not sure how they met. I wish someone I knew that story. I do know my grand aunt did not like my grandfather and told me she didn't, that, "he messed up the family color." She would complain that he was too dark. They came from a family stock of mulattoes (light bright).
I used to hear that my grandfather was seventeen years older than my grandmother, but sorry to debunk that myth, but that was not the truth at all!! He was only six years older instead of seventeen. But, that would not have been unheard of in those days.
I do know my grandfather, Gillie died in October of 1938, when my mother was only three years-old. Unfortunately, but most of what I heard about my grandfather has been all negative, that he was verbally abusive, that he would not allow my grandmother to go to her mother's funeral, that he put their firstborn, my uncle Robert outside in the cold, and afterwards he became ill and died.
My grandmother passed in 1977.
Fortunately for me, I get an idea for what my grandmother was like, from my older first cousins, who had the privilege to live next door to our grandmother. Every now and then, I get to talk with them about grandmother. She used to tell them about her father, about growing up, about her first-born child, and about allowing her youngest children to live with other relatives.
When I saw this photo (above) for the first time I was thrilled! Before this I had never seen how my grandfather looked. I treasure this photo and have made several copies for relatives. I imagine this photo is dated around the time they were married, in 1922, or perhaps later.
I have other photographs of grandmother, but this is the only one I have of my grandparents together.
Today, I honor them. Their legacy lives on through the lives of ten grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and four great great-grandchildren.
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