Cows & Sheep: the Enemy

Summer is the season when UK family historians hit the road, and one of the places they head to is the churchyards where their ancestors are buried. This summer, grave concerns are being raises at the number of sheep and cows being allowed to roam over the final resting sites of our forebears.

"I think it is totally disrespectful to those buried there," writes FHA on the Your Family Tree online forum. "Those churchyards are obviously heavily fouled by the animals and it makes it very difficult for ancestor hunters and those wishing to pay their respects to walk on this disgusting mess!"

You can read more about this "problem" and offer your comments also in the web site for Your Family Tree magazine. Look at http://www.yourfamilytreemag.co.uk/page/yft?entry=cows_sheep_the_enemy

Comments

[soccermom]

Two of the 3 very old family cemeteries I visited this summer have few standing markers due to cattle walking through and rubbing against the markers. The farmers on whose land these cemeteries reside should put fences up, but I doubt that they will.

[Margaret]

Cemetery preservation does not hold a high priority with the tax-paying public.

Taking photos of small graveyards, recording inscriptions (especially stones that are eroding and becoming illegible) and even plotting the graves on a map -- donating this to the local historical society, or church if it is owned by a religious group is one way of preserving what will otherwise be lost forever. One should get permission of the landowner before doing this.

[Peggie Trei]

Not only in Britain, but in the U.S. The Wilhelm Keil Family Cemetery in Aurora, Oregon holds the remains of Dr. Keil and his relatives. Dr. Keil was the founder of the Bethal,Missouri and Aurora, Oregon German Colonies, whose members held their good in commune. The cemetery was in sad shape, tombstones toppled and broken, primarily by goats and cows. It was rescued several years ago, restored at the cost of several thousand dollars, donated by two Keil relatives. It now has an electric fence around the perimeter, and a wrought iron one is in the making. Peggie