Gone Graving

03/17/2026

03/16/2026

A huge misconception I often see when people install replacement headstones for veterans is that the original marker must be removed or destroyed. Many people believe this is required by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but that’s not always the case.

The rule people are usually referring to applies specifically to government-furnished headstones or markers. When a previously issued government marker is replaced (for example due to damage, incorrect information, or vandalism), the old government marker is not supposed to remain in use.

However, many older markers found in cemeteries — especially for Civil War, War of 1812, and Revolutionary War veterans — were privately purchased by the veteran’s family, not issued by the government. These stones are historic memorials placed by loved ones and were never government property.

To better understand how this applies in practice, we recently asked a staff member at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs about a deteriorated private marker that was being replaced. We were told:

“The existing private marker is in such poor condition it did not meet VA criteria to consider it marking the grave. If the cemetery wants to leave it there to continue to deteriorate, that is up to them.”

In other words, when an old private marker has deteriorated to the point that it no longer qualifies as marking the grave, the VA may approve a government headstone. But what happens to the original private marker is ultimately up to the cemetery and the family, not the VA.

A respectful solution that many preservation groups follow is to leave the original historic marker in place and install the new government marker nearby (often behind it or facing the opposite direction). This allows us to clearly mark the veteran’s service while also preserving the historic memorial placed by their family.

These older stones are part of the history of our cemeteries and communities. Preserving them helps ensure that both the veteran’s service and the family’s original tribute are not lost to time.

The first picture is of an old VA headstone. (Not my picture)

The second picture is a screenshot of what is mentioned at the VA.gov website about destroying VA headstones that are getting replaced.

03/13/2026

My first headstone has arrived fron the VA! This is a War of 1812 veteran, who will be installed in the Huron Evergreen Cemetery in Huron, NY. I'll also be repairing his original headstone too.

03/12/2026

There's a new feature on Find a Grave! The cemetery Suggest Edits tool is similar to suggesting an edit to a memorial, but it allows members to easily suggest updates to cemetery information. You can read more about it on our blog here: https://news.findagrave.com/2026/03/04/updating-cemetery-information/

03/09/2026

Yesterday afternoon I went out to the Maple Grove Cemetery and photographed a lot of stones that didn’t have a picture on Find a Grave. I also discovered the headstones of 2 Civil War veterans that's final resting place were previously unknown. Then I finally got the chance to photograph the headstone of my 5th great grandfather, Henry Graham.

03/05/2026

03/04/2026

Join me on June 13 at 2:00 PM at the Maple Grove Cemetery for a hands-on workshop on proper gravestone cleaning and preservation.

I’ll be demonstrating:
• Safe and respectful cleaning techniques
• What products to use — and what to absolutely avoid
• How to protect older stones from long-term damage
• Basic cemetery care and stewardship tips

Whether you’re caring for family stones, interested in local history, or just want to learn how to preserve these beautiful pieces of the past, this workshop is for you.

Come ready to learn, ask questions, and help keep our history standing strong.

Hope to see you there!

02/27/2026

Just heard back from the VA. Got my first replacement headstone approved for my Eagle Scout Project. We'll also try to repair the ones we replace too.

John William Barton was born in 1827 in Huron, New York, to Jared and Mary (Hallett) Barton. He was the eldest of eleven children and spent his early adult years working the land. The 1850 census lists him as a farmer in Huron. Around this time, he began a family with Sophiea Jones; together they had three children between 1850 and 1856, and they married about 1852. By 1860, John was working as a day laborer, reflecting a shift in his circumstances.

John enlisted on August 2, 1862, in Victory, New York, and was mustered in as a private on August 9, 1862, into Company A of the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. During his service, he was stationed at Fort Reno, part of the defensive ring protecting Washington, D.C. While in service, John fell ill and died of pneumonia on February 23, 1863, at the age of 37.

He was buried in Huron Evergreen Cemetery.

02/25/2026

When the first shots of the Civil War were fired at Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861, the people of Wayne County were not left in the dark for long. Thanks to telegraph lines, railroads, and a steady flow of newspapers, news of the attack reached upstate New York within a day or two. By April 13–14, residents of towns such as Lyons, Newark, and Palmyra would have known that war had begun. Within days, flags were raised, public meetings were held, and the reality of war set in.

As President Lincoln called for volunteers, enlistment efforts quickly followed. Most Wayne County men enlisted close to home, signing up at town halls, public buildings, or other local gathering places. It was common for friends, neighbors, and relatives to enlist together, forming companies made up largely of men from the same communities.

Wayne County furnished soldiers to many New York regiments, but several units drew especially heavy enlistment from the county. The 111th New York Infantry included a large number of Wayne County volunteers and became closely associated with the area. The 98th New York Infantry was also largely recruited from Wayne County and nearby counties. Earlier in the war, men from the county enlisted in regiments such as the 27th New York Infantry and the 17th New York Infantry, often forming entire companies from local towns.

Although enlistment took place locally, formal mustering into United States service usually occurred at larger training camps outside the county. Many Wayne County soldiers were mustered at Elmira or Auburn, depending on the regiment and time period. This is why Civil War service records often list different locations for enlistment and muster.

Picture is of the cleaned up add from the Palmyra Harold in 1862.

02/23/2026

My Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War camp that I'm a part of just created a page. Go follow and if you are interested in joining comment down below.