Tombstone Tuesday: Modern Woodmen of America

This tombstone in Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio is a great example of the Modern Woodmen of America. Many genealogists and taphophiles are familiar with the Woodmen of the World organization, which placed countless tree-stump tombstones on the graves of its deceased members. The Modern Woodmen of America is older than WOW, though it was founded…

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Tombstone Tuesday: Creepy Angels

This week’s Tombstone Tuesday isn’t a lesson on reading a tombstone or interpreting tombstone iconography. Instead, I’d like to share what are without a doubt the creepiest angels I’ve ever seen. From Pioneer Cemetery in Westerville, Ohio: I’m adding those to the list of things I don’t want on my tombstone!

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Tombstone Tuesday: Friendship, Love and Truth

This tombstone for George H. Boggs is in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newark, Licking County, Ohio. It shows membership in two organizations: the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1819. It is also referred to as the…

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Tombstone Tuesday: Independent Sons of Honor?

This week’s tombstone has me puzzled. It is the tombstone of Edward Summers, born 22 December 1861, died 15 September 1880, and is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana. What has me stumped is the symbol and inscription: a heart in a circle, surrounded by “D. W. of I. S. H.” Stories in…

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Tombstone Tuesday: Pembleton

I’m going to start a new feature here on the blog: Tombstone Tuesday. I’ve been inspired by Wordless Wednesday on some blogs, including George Geder’s. My goal with this is to share some of my favorite tombstones or those that highlight a particular aspect of tombstone and cemetery research. This week’s Tombstone Tuesday features the…

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