Category Archives: Uncategorized

The Niver Family monument in the Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York, depicts a mourning figure—in this instance, an angel. We know it is an angel by its wings.  Christian art began depicting angels with wings in the fourth century.  … Continue reading →

Sometimes artisans display their craft on their gravestones, as did this gondola maker who is buried in the San Michele Cemetery in Venice, Italy.

Many organizations were founded in the later part of the 19th Century that required the prospective members demonstrate that their ancestors had been in the United States before a certain date or that their ancestors had served in a war.  … Continue reading →

Gravely Speaking and Syngrammata have decided to dig deep into our photo collections in order to bring you pairs of images drawn from our many years combing through American cemeteries. Each pair will be linked by a theme which we … Continue reading →

Gravely Speaking and Syngrammata have decided to dig deep into our photo collections in order to bring you pairs of images drawn from our many years combing through American cemeteries. Each pair will be linked by a theme which we … Continue reading →

This highly detailed stained-glass window in a mausoleum in the Forest Home Cemetery in Forest Park, Illinois, most likely refers to several Bible verses.  In this window, Jesus holds a lamb—a symbol of innocence and purity.  It also refers to … Continue reading →

Emma Goldman Born June 27, 1869 Kaunas City, Lithuania Died May 14, 1940 Toronto, Canada Buried Forest Home Cemetery, Forest Park, Illinois* *Her gravestone inaccurately lists her day of birth as June 29 and inaccurately lists her date of death … Continue reading →

FAMILIE  MENTZER John M. Mentzer May 21, 1850 Alsace, France May 28, 1929 Chicago, Illinois Sophia Hoelderle Mentzer April 11, 1856 Germany March 23, 1909 Chicago, Illinois Mary Mentzer September 27, 1875 St. Louis, Missouri May 19, 1896 Chicago, Illinois … Continue reading →

The rusted metal marker in the Woodland Cemetery in Jackson, Michigan, seen next to a gravestone denotes that the deceased was a member of the fraternal organization of Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge 29.  Many fraternal organizations and membership … Continue reading →

HENRY KAU OCTOBER 18, 1863 – AUGUST 7, 1943 KATHERINA KAU BORN OHIO, ILLINOIS JUNE 15, 1867 – DECEMBER 6, 1933 Elisabeth L. Roark wrote an article about angels titled, “Embodying Immortality: Angels in America’s Rural Garden Cemeteries, 1850—1900”, pages … Continue reading →