Remembering Forgotten Souls through the GRAncestors Reclamation Project

Back before the use of modern element-proof headstones the common stones were not built to last.  Constructed from a soft porous material like limestone, the stones, exposed to the harsh elements, either toppled to the ground, became illegible or both.

These old stones are magnificent and beautiful.  Monuments of remembrance, it is sad how time forgets the sleeping soul.  Those who remembered the loved one's existence too have passed.  There are none left to care for the grave.  The memory of the life once lived is no more.  Such is the sting of time.

I love reading old inscriptions: the mourning loved ones poured forth their souls through verse, scripture, and poetic readings.  Very touching to read.

This Memorial Day as I was walking through the Oakhill Cemetery in Grand Rapids searching for a requested grave photo as a Find-a-Grave volunteer, I stumbled upon a small bit of stone peeking through the grass.  Not very large, less than a foot in diameter.

I knelt beside the hidden grave removing a few large clumps of sod.  When a bit more stone was cleared I could see that the grave was quite large, an old inch-thick limestone monument toppled to the ground many years ago.

I ran back to my car and grabbed my toolbox consisting of: soft-bristle brush for removing debris, a gallon jug of water to clean the grave, camera, pen and paper for recording the inscription, and a gardening trowel to remove the soil from around the headstone's perimeter.

Here is how the stone appeared before cleaning.

I worked on the stone for less than an hour removing large clumps of sod and brushing away heavy amounts of soil.  Finally I was able to see what had not been visible for many decades: the ornate headstone of William T. Per Lee, Esq.  

Because so many headstones are falling into states of disrepair I started the GRAncestors.com Reclamation Project in hopes of preserving and viewing these hidden or illegible stones, recording the information found, and uploading to both GRAncestors.com and Find-a-Grave.com giving the forgotten soul an eternal memorial. 

Here is the finished product.

The inscription reads:


OUR FATHER
WILLIAM T. PER LEE
DIED
Aug. 8, 1878
Aged 64 Yrs, 7 Ms, 8 Ds.
(Calculated Birth Date = 31 December 1813)
After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well

To learn more about the GRAncestors.com Reclamation Project, please visit our website at:
http://www.grancestors.com/reclamation-project.html