Saving An Abandoned Cemetery

Sims was originally established by John S. Dean, James H. Finch, and L. S. Case, who incorporated under the name of the Agency Burying Ground Association Inc. on Mar. 16, 1855. The association purchased an acre from Pleasant W. Harris and his wife, Gemina. It was run as a private cemetery until it was given to the city in 1909.

According to tradition, the first burial was of an unidentified man who drowned while driving a team of oxen through the Des Moines River ford.

Want to learn more? Classes on cemetery conservation? How to clean, products used? Check the links below.

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[deadiemeyers]

As a long-time amateur genealogist and family historian I cannot overstate the importance of Cemetery Records in documenting the lives of the people who went before us. My deep and sincere thanks to you for the work you are doing.

[SpectralSeamstress]

I have driven past this cemetery thousands of times and always wondered what secrets it held. Thank you for putting your love and attention into it's restoration.

[liannebedard]

Oh my, you are a gem. I have loved cemeteries since I was a girl with her first bike. Cemeteries were my parks…I loved them. I live in a rainy climate and the damp season is just beginning. Blessings on your work…

[carolavw]

I would love a complete serie of this graveyard cleaning and fixing stone by stone.

[Mudhooks]

There’s a cemetery… or the remains of a cemetery… here in Ontario where there are stones, or broken bits of stones, that are lying flat, either fallen and left in place, or fallen and broken and placed together in a corner under a tree it always sad to see them. The latter are mossy and also covered in black mold. To be fair, there are a LOT of cemeteries that are in various states of abandonment, disrepair, etc. across the province but this one makes me the saddest.

I’ve photographed it in the past but I’m no longer physically able to visit the cemeteries.

My Mom and I used to make it a point to, when we found a small cemetery, to photograph the stones and record the names and enter them on a database of Ontario cemeteries. My Mom was AMAZING at spotting the tiniest cemetery at the side of the road, from the passenger seat. Unfortunately, my sidekick is no longer with me and I can’t get out the way I once did.

I really admire you and other rescuers who are doing so much to do the repair and to advise on proper techniques for cleaning.

[tfishing]

This is going to be one of your best series ever. Will wait with great anticipation to see the process. Please, if you could, dedicate a stand alone video on the research aspects. Not so much the genealogy, but identifying gravesites and other cemetery records - where these records exist, who has custody, access, etc. Thank you so much.

[Canuckmom]

You, Sir, are one of my heroes. I love poking around old cemeteries. I have become a History buff since my 30s, and I always find it heartbreaking, when touring an old cemetery, to see missing and damaged monuments. They provide not just a memorial to the person, but a fantastic snapshot of a space in time. Maybe some first year Archeology students could help you - and use their trowel skills when you hit a marker. I’m always stunned by the number of babies and children in these old cemeteries. Bless you for doing this, and for preserving history. Cheers 🇨🇦

[shenahgee]

Bless you for doing this marvelous job caring for our forgotten loved ones. Such a huge job in front of you. I love watching you figure out each puzzle and put all the stones back together.

[johnstiteler]

This looks like an amazing project. I'm looking forward to the series.

[smokeyangelav]

The first thing that I noticed was how close a home was to a headstone and how much lower the yard was in comparison to that cemetery. I wonder if the cemetery had to have some fill dirt at some point due to erosion or perhaps when they built that road, they put the excavated dirt in the cemetery. What a shame. Thank you for taking on a project like this!

[vermasean]

It’s a challenge we see at a local cemetery in the Hampton Roads area - Oakland Cemetery. Ran into a pretty cool volunteer Mr. Steve Harmon. He has dedicated most of the week helping maintain it. Lots of work & lots of challenges.

[happymack]

Thank you! You’re keeping me motivated for restoring a tiny abandoned cemetery in NY 💕

[roxannefraser]

When the garden soil is moist, pulling weeds is much easier, and often come out intact, if you soak the ground when probed graves are identified, the stones will lift easier, and be less🎉 likely to break while excavating..
I hope this helps your efforts in doing this great work!!!

[Azoreanislandgirl]

What a challenge and a great job you're doing. If that were any of my ancestors, I would be so grateful to you.

[rhinoandlue]

This is important work you’re doing for the community. You gained my subscription and I look forward to watching the transformation.

[hsimpson]

This is the largest undertaking I’ve ever saw in my entire life. This makes awesome videos. But oh my the work.❤❤

[CatCmdr]

These would have been totally lost to time & lack of care, if not for you. What you do is so Amazing, but this is a massive job!
Thank you for saving this cemetery & these graves. 💙💙

[RIBill]

So much for "perpetual care" ... Great work bringing these monuments And the history back!

[JustSayin]

I am amazed at your knowledge, skill, enthusiasm, and commitment! You are exceptional. And I am strangely grateful for all your work... I guess because you are restoring history... or restoring dignity to those who lived. Thank you!

[roseannem]

Wow! Your compassion and knowledge inspires so many. God bless you for your hard work and restoring the gravestones of all those people. You're amazing!