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Saturday, March 6, 2010

Ancient Cemeteries and Genealogy

Today I'm joining Chari over at Happy to Design for her interesting meme.....Sunday Favorites.
This is a repost of a favorite from August of 2009 that has been buried under newer posts and one that maybe you haven't seen.
Please pop on over to Happy to Design to see all Chari's  interesting participants.




As I have posted previously, I am extremely interested in our family history and genealogy.
After joining an ancestry website and doing some investigating I've found many of my hubby's family when they first arrived in this country....well, it wasn't America yet, it was the "Colonies".
This man, David James (1660-1739) would be my hubby's paternal 6th great grandfather (that means 9 generations ago) and he came to the colonies seeking religious freedom as he was a Quaker.
He and his wife and new born child (hubby's 5th great grandfather) arrived from Wales in Oct 1682, on board the ship "Bristol Factor".
David James was given "city lots" in 1683 or 1684 but eventually settled in Radnor, PA.
David James name is on the map of the State House grounds on Chestnut St. in Philadelphia.
After finding some of these people I became interested in finding out where they were buried and from there is was a short jump to going to ancient burying grounds or searching them out on the internet.
The above photos are of the church grounds and the headstone where David James is buried....this cemetery is near the Valley Forge Campground where General Washington and his troops wintered during the Revolutionary War.
Some people feel that this is a bit macabre but I am always excited to come across a new cemetery find.

Thanks for visiting (or re-visiting) me.....as always, I look forward to reading your comments.

9 comments:

My Grama's Soul said...

I finally know who you are!!!! I would look at that little girl pic.....and never be able to follow you to where your blog was.

I'm so glad I finally found you. I, too, am interested in my family tree. My sweet SIL is really the geneologist - but I plan about doing a post on my family soon.

I enjoyed reading about yours,

Blessings,

Jo

Diann said...

Wow, that is wonderful how far you have been able to trace back your family! I have a cousin who is doing the same with our family. I am always excited when she emails me her latest finds!

Sherry @ No Minimalist Here said...

My cousin has spent years investigating our family tree. She has offered to pass all this info on to me! I also love old cemetaries and have visited quite a few in the US and europe. Thanks for your visit to my Ballard knock-off post and the sweet comment you left.

Alicia said...

I love cemeteries, so much history and so many stories waiting to be uncovered. My sister in fact works for a cemetery and both she and I have both worked for funeral homes. It's a very interesting and fulfilling line of work.

Treasia Stepp said...

How wonderful you've been able to trace back the family origins so far. My cousin is the one in our family to be doing this for everyone. She says it is a blast doing it. I've enjoyed finding out (so far) what she has discovered. You know you're always scared of what "might" show up. LOL.

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hello sweet friend...

Wow!!! How very interesting, my friend! I think it's just fabulous that you've been able to trace your husband's ancestors that far back! It's just amazing! To actually know that great-grandfather (8 times back) name, origin, and a little history is just mind boggling! It also amazes me that you have been able to find his place of burial! So interesting!!! I have done a little research into my family tree...it's fun and kind of like putting a puzzle together! Hehe! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story and great photos with us for Sunday Favorites, Lenore! Great post!!!

Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design

Carol at Serendipity said...

I love your blog. It is beautifully done. How wonderful to have all that information and what a challenge finding it all.

Carol

Keetha Broyles said...

How pretty is that first photo of the wall, the stone church, and the cemetery.

Wanda Lee said...

What a fabulous and very intriguingly interesting post! I have visited several old grave yards over the years in various
places and have found the old information so touching and interestimg.

(Though I do not do so regulary,
and not for reasons of researching geneology; yet my mother is writng an historical fiction novel about, The Halifax Explosion, in Halifax,Nova Scotia,Canada in 1917.~ I must ask her if during the course of her research she has visited any graveyards as part of her work)..,

You are most warmly invited to visit my blog whereas I have particpated for the first time this week with Cheri's Sunday
Favorites..,

Cheers from Wanda Lee @ The Plumed Pen