Yesterday's post discussed finding family cemeteries in open fields and in a clump of trees;
I forgot to mention in open fields, in a clump
of trees AND surrounded by cows, too.
of trees AND surrounded by cows, too.
If you look closely off in the distance,
under the trees, there is a little white sign!
That's where Danny and I want to go!!
To the Zellner Family Cemetery.
Shooooo Cow! Shoooooo Cow!!
This Black Cow stood her ground and was the last
to leave so we could get over to the fence.
Electric Fence!
Found the side was not electrified and climbed over rusty original fence, chain link fence and bob wire.
 |
| Rebecca Holmes Zellner, 1803-1875 |
Found my 3rd Great Grandmother and
 |
| to the right- Andrew Zellner, 1798-1892 |
3rd Great Grandfather laying next to her.
I photographed all the headstones,
though most were almost smooth
from the elements and illegible.
 |
| Zellner's childrens graves - covered with sea shells |
Something that I have never seen are seashells enbedded
within the concrete on top of the grave.
within the concrete on top of the grave.
No headstone - no name - no dates.
The brittle sea shells have chipped off of most of the concrete shaped shells;
but you can see the shape of the shell and the ripples
of the shell which formed the concrete.
(double click on the photo above to enlarge it)
The sea shells are only on children's graves. I have been reading about this custom and it seems that it is a Southern custom found between the 1800s to the 1900s from SC to Texas and quite often in Louisiana. Some felt it was used by Black Slaves and others commented that it was found in the White cemeteries equally as much.
but you can see the shape of the shell and the ripples
of the shell which formed the concrete.
(double click on the photo above to enlarge it)
The sea shells are only on children's graves. I have been reading about this custom and it seems that it is a Southern custom found between the 1800s to the 1900s from SC to Texas and quite often in Louisiana. Some felt it was used by Black Slaves and others commented that it was found in the White cemeteries equally as much.
I had to photograph the "back side of the barn" as we were leaving
and the Black Cow I shooed off,
and the Black Cow I shooed off,
was the first to return to her turf!
We visited four family cemeteries in two days!!
Now the fun begins with writing up the information about the individuals and posting it into www.findagrave.com
for other family members to veiw and share.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Click here to view our first visit to
What could be more Rurality than a family cemetery
in the middle of a cow pasture?
Hop on over to
Hop over to Down Home for
Another visit to another Family Cemetery!
If only I could
17 comments:
Suzann, there are Zellners in Tonganoxie, but spelled Zoellner. I'll take a picture of a building there (hopefully today) and send it to you tonight!
So interesting. I've never heard of sea shells on graves. I love the cow photos - so cute!
pretty neat to have found the family graveyard. and i really like the old barn!
Absolutely fascinating! I want to come with you! I have never seen sea shell's on graves either! Fabulous barn photo's too!
I am so shocked - where is this - did you know they were there? I have no idea where mine are - that is awesome.
I've never heard of the sea shell custom. I wonder what the significance is? Love that old barn even in its decrepit condition. The work you are doing with the graves is so neat!
What a wonderful find!!! Good for you that you persevered and were sucessful! I wonder if they used shells because they didn't have money for headstones.
What a great project to dig into your past and document your findings on your blog♫ Here's my Rurality effort: http://lore-eleven.blogspot.com/2013/02/tic-tac-toe-skyscapes.html
What an exciting adventure! I have never heard of sea shells on gravestones. So nice that you are documenting these for your relatives. A beautiful and peaceful place.
Those seashell graves are amazing and sad all rolled into one. I love those hidden cemeteries, I always stop and look if I am able when I come across one.
Interesting story about the shells. Thanks for sharing it here.
Wow, how interesting... never seen anything like the shells either and I've walked many, many pioneer cemeteries in the northwest... Thank you for joining in 'Rurality Blog Hop #3' Hope to see you next Wednesday for #4...
This was very interesting and how great that you found the resting place of your own relatives...thanks for sharing.
Suzan, what a nice post and photos. So glad you were able to find the graves of your great grandparents. The seashells on top of the graves looks neat. It feels good to learn more about your ancestry and finding the grave sites. Have a happy weekend!
The last few posts are so interesting! Such a long, long time ago. Pretty amazing if you ask me. Has me wondering where all of my ancestors might be.
Hi there - what an interesting post. These long abandoned farms and grave yards are remarkable.
You can find similar sites in Australia - often just a fenced of section of a field, in (what is now) the middle of nowhere.
Stewart M - Melbourne
I've never seen seashells on graves before. Very interesting! I love visiting old cemeteries - a cousin and I spent a day searching for an old family resting place a few years ago. It's surrounded by neighborhoods and apartment buildings and took some time to find it, but it was well worth it. I regret we haven't been back since! I'm inspired to thanks to your post.
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