PHOTO 68 - TOMBSTONE EPITAPH - Eden Cemetery, Salisbury Cove, Mount Desert Island, ME

A haunting epitaph indeed. Can you image seeing this at night on a stroll? It would creep me out! Kudos go to the spider and small insects who helped make this picture.

PHOTO 67 - VIEW OF BONAVENTURE CEMETERY, Savannah, GA

A wonderful view of Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. Simply one of the best cemeteries in the United States.

PHOTO 66 - MONUMENT - Bonaventure Cemetery, Savannah, GA

This is a beautiful monument in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA. I love the tree and the Spanish moss that serves as the backdrop to this wonderful pic.

PHOTO 65 - TOMBSTONE - St. Peter's Church Cemetery, Reading, PA

This unusual marker stands out. The script, I believe, is in German and is very hard to decipher. It almost reminds me a chess piece.

PHOTO 64 - JOHNSTON MAUSOLEUM - Calvary Cemetery, Queens, NY

A very stately mausoleum in Calvary Cemetery is the Johnston Family Mausoleum. This mausoleum also played a small cameo role in one of the greatest movies of all time, "The Godfather." During Vito's funeral scene you are able to get a glimpse of the Johnston Mausoleum. The detail is amazing and this mausoleum is one of the best I have ever seen.

PHOTOS 62 & 63 - BORNEMANN MAUSOLEUM - Gethsemane Cemetery, Laureldale, Berks County, PA

The Bornemann Memorial Mausoleum in Gethsemane is a beautiful tribute to the man who founded Gethsemane Cemetery and was a major leader in the Catholic Church in Berks County for decades. Monsignor Bornemann and his brother are interred in this mausoleum and there are also crypts available for purchase as well. On your next visit to Gethsemane, be sure to check out this wonderful mausoleum.

PHOTO 61 - TOMBSTONE OF THOMAS & JANE HANNAHOE - St. Peter's Church Cemetery, Reading, PA

Today we feature the tombstone of a very popular Irishman in Berks County, PA, Tom Hannahoe. Tom was well known in Reading for many years and every year on St. Patrick's Day at Midnight a musical tribute is played for him which is attended by dozens of people. Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody!!

PHOTO 60 - VILLAMAGNA TOWN CEMETERY - Villamagna, Chieti, Italy

Staying in Italy, here are some graves I photographed in my ancestral town cemetery in 2008. The grave in the front of the picture is one of the most personal I have ever seen, complete with a glass case with articles paying tribute to the young man who is buried in the grave. My cousin who showed me the cemetery told me that the man buried here was a friend of his and was killed in a motorcycle accident in the prime of his life. Obviously, relatives and friends visit this grave frequently. I will feature this cemetery several more times as the graves are so neat and very personal.

PHOTOS 57-59 - ARA DI CESARE - THE CREMATION SITE OF JULIUS CAESAR - Roman Forum, Rome, Italy

On the Ides of March, who else could we choose but the one and only Julius Caesar? The mound of dirt with flowers is the actual site where Caesar's body was cremated after his assassination on March 15, 44 B.C. He had no tomb, so this is the closest thing to a gravesite. The Ara Di Cesare contains the ruins of a temple.

Hail Caesar! We, who are about to photograph more tombstones and graves, SALUTE YOU !!!

PHOTO 56 - TOMBSTONE OF JOHN W. LIVINGSTON - Confederate Cemetery, Spotsylvania, VA

Today's photo is the grave of a confederate soldier who was killed at the battle of Spotsylvania Court House in May of 1864. This soldier was from a Georgia Regiment which saw heavy action in many of the campaigns of General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Mr. Livingston's epitaph is very succinct: "A True Patriot, A Sincere Christian." Apparently, a descendant has left a small note by his grave.

PHOTOS 54 & 55 - BARNES FAMILY MONUMENT & GRAVES - Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, GA

This is a beautiful monument in Rose Hill Cemetery for the Barnes Family. I love all the intricate details of the monument as well as the Angel who is indicating where the souls of the Barnes Family now reside. The inscription is nicely done as well. The other monuments nearby are also unique.

PHOTO 54 - CALVARY CEMETERY, Queens, NY

Located in the shadow of Manhattan in Queens is beautiful Calvary Cemetery. This is a wonderful cemetery that has played numerous roles in several mob flicks and T.V. shows over the years. This was the cemetery featured in "The Godfather" and various episodes of "The Sopranos." Aside from its role in Hollywood history, Calvary has wonderful stones and spectacular views of Manhattan. By all means make a visit if you are in the area!

PHOTOS 52 & 53 - BETHEL CHURCH CEMETERY - Berks County, PA

Today I decided to post some pictures of a beautiful cemetery in rural Berks County, PA. Bethel Church Cemetery is certainly worth a visit if you are ever in the area. I love how this small cemetery is laid out on a hillside. For you paranormal fans out there, this cemetery has been known and documented to contain much paranormal activity. Famous painter Ben Austrian (known for his paintings of chicks) is also buried in the cemetery.

PHOTO 51 - GRAVE OF CINDERELLA HEARTWELL - Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

I have been really stuck as of late on Rose Hill Cemetery because the stones and graves are just wonderful there! Today's grave is of Cinderella Heartwell. Cinderella was only 33 when she passed. Her grave is very beautiful and I have been unable to ascertain whether the image on her headstone is of Cinderella depicted as an Angel or just an Angel who has taken Cinderella to Heaven. Either way, I love the long, flowing hair of the Angel and I love the name as well. I bet you don't see the name "Cinderella" on a tombstone every day! There is also an epitaph on the bottom of the headstone which is barely readable. Weather has certainly taken its toll on this and many other graves at Rose Hill.

PHOTO 50 - TOMBSTONE OF EDMUND CRESHAM AND LULA BILLUPS CRESHAM - Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

Today we remain in Rose Hill Cemetery and feature the graves of Edmund Cresham and Lula Billups Cresham. Edmund died an infant. Lula was the wife of Thomas Cresham and we are informed that she died on her 31st birthday. This is an interesting bit of information that is not seen often. Also notice Lula's name at the foot of her grave and her headstone lists the fact that she was not born in Macon, but in Athens, GA. The tombstone also lists her parents. A very interesting and genealogical rich grave indeed.

PHOTOS 47-49 - GRAVE OF JOHN PHILIP SOUSA - Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC

The March King, John Philip Sousa, died 78 years ago today. His grave is located in the historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. I am not sure what march the music at the foot of Sousa's grave depicts, but I would guess it is probably "The Stars and Stripes Forever," which was Sousa's most famous march. It is also the national march of the United States of America. I am pretty sure that members of the Marine Band play a tribute to Sousa at his grave every year on March 6.

PHOTO 46 - GRAVE OF SUSAN J. BILLUPS - Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

A very nice enclosed grave with wonderful design and workmanship throughout. The rounded stone at the foot of the grave has a Bible verse, I believe, and Susan's vitals information are found at the head of the grave. Again, this stone indicates information that genealogists always appreciate. In this case, the vitals indicate that Susan was born in another county. This information greatly assists researchers who wish to trace her ancestry back further. So be sure to pay close attention to all details that are etched on tombstones and graves.

Tomorrow we go marching .... hint hint ....

PHOTO 45 - CRESHAM FAMILY TOMBSTONES - Rose Hill Cemetery, Macon, Bibb County, Georgia

These are very nice and ornately decorated stones I came upon while on a Rose Hill Ramble back in 2007. "Rose Hill Rambles" is the popular name for a number of walks that have been published to explore Rose Hill Cemetery in Macon. I spent a very, very hot day in Rose Hill on 2 rambles and had a wonderful time. More pics to come from this one of a kind cemetery!

PHOTO 44 - TOMBSTONE OF ABBIE F. SALISBURY - Eden Cemetery, Salisbury Cove, Mount Desert Island, Maine

Today's tombstone is another one from the Eden Cemetery in beautiful Salisbury Cove, Maine. The stone has a nice, simple shape and it looks as if it was repaired on its lower left side. It also looks like a ghostly image is portrayed on the stone as well above Abbie's name. Could that have been Abbie smiling back at me?

PHOTO 43 - TOMBSTONE OF GEORGE M. SALSBURY - Eden Cemetery, Salisbury Cove, Mount Desert Island, Maine

First off, I apologize for not keeping this blog current the last few weeks. The awful weather here where I live and work issues have been regrettably keeping me away from what I love doing. That said, I will try to keep current every day from here on in, but may take a day off here and there so I can compile some new pictures to share with everyone.

Today's photo is of the tombstone of George M. Salsbury. This stone was once broken and as you can see somewhere along the line it was re-attached. VERY IMPORTANT: If you see a stone broken, even if it is one of your ancestors' stones, DO NOT TRY TO FIX OR RE-ATTACH IT! Let it alone and let possible repair and/or re-attachment be done by cemetery administration. You may damage the integrity of the stone if you attempt repair. Mr. Salsbury's stone also has a nice little epitaph as well.

THANK YOU FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE !!!

I deviate for one post to thank "Genealogy Insider" Diane Haddad and David M. Oeters for listing this blog under the "Cemetery Studies" section of the "Genealogy Insider" column of the current May 2010 issue of "Family Tree Magazine." I was both surprised and honored that this blog was listed and take great pride in knowing that others are enjoying the pics of the tombstones and mausoleums I am posting.