Headstone Photos from Oakwoods

Ancestors on both sides of my family are buried at Oakwoods Cemetery on Chicago's south side. It's one of the oldest cemeteries in the city, established in 1854 before Graceland, Rosehill and Calvary.

The architecture and landscaping alone make this cemetery a historic treasure. There are some truly breathtaking monuments in Oakwoods, among them the Confederate Mound. A number of Chicago's elite are buried here along with politicians and ministers, athletes and gangsters.



The Confederate Mound

I have wanted to visit my ancestors' graves at this cemetery for as long as I can remember. It's hundreds of miles from me however and I may never have the chance. So I asked for help at Find A Grave and at RAOGK. No luck.

Then one day it occurred to me there might be a local teenager or senior citizen who could take pictures of the headstones I wanted so much to see. So I wrote a letter and sent it to Oakwoods...

"May 23, 2011

Dear Ms. Nowak,

This morning I had an idea I hope you can help develop.

I am a genealogist and several of my family members are buried at Oakwoods. Since I am unable to visit the cemetery in person, I would like to get photos of their headstones. 

Are you familiar with www.findagrave.com? As of this morning, there were 8286 interments listed on the web site for Oakwoods. Specific to my idea, there are 326 photo requests.

I’m wondering if there is a local teenager or perhaps a retiree who might be willing to take headstone photos at Oakwoods. A volunteer would be the most popular choice, but I don’t think it would be unreasonable to ask for financial contributions for the photographer’s time and trouble. I would be willing to pay someone out of state to take pictures and clean up a gravesite for ancestors I can’t visit in person.

This is important enough to me that I would be willing to help in whatever way I can. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Warmest regards,"

After a few weeks and no response, I called. Talked with a lovely woman there who said the General Manager position had recently undergone a transition. She suggested I call the former GM. I did. Another lovely woman who offered some wonderful suggestions. Unfortunately none of them worked. So I called the cemetery again. This time I talked with a gentleman who offered to take the pictures himself. I followed up with a letter, a list, some charts, and $50.

"July 6, 2011

Dear Mr. Davis,

Thank you for talking with me yesterday about my desire for photos of my ancestors’ headstones.

Your willingness to help me obtain these photos is very much appreciated. Toward that end I have included a list of names and dates specific to Oakwoods.

I was a little taken aback by the $10 per headstone charge, but relieved when you asked that the check be made out to the American Diabetes Association. Both Jacob and Elizabeth (Schmitt) Mueller died of diabetes, and their son Alfred died of diabetic complications. Unfortunately, my budget won’t allow me to pursue all ten photos this week. I would be most grateful for the five I numbered on my list and for those I have enclosed a check in the amount of $50.

If possible, I would prefer to receive the headstone pictures via email as jpg files. My email address (on my calling card enclosed) is livinginthepastlane@yahoo.com.

You mentioned privacy concerns related to the plat cards for these individuals. I have also enclosed relationship charts so you can see I am a direct descendant of Jacob and Elizabeth. Their son Alfred (my great-grandfather) and Otto were brothers. I have received copies of many plat cards or plot maps from other cemeteries during my 30 year genealogical quest. I have never posted them online or shared the contents with anyone. The information they contain is about my family and I protect it accordingly.

In my first letter dated May 23 (copy enclosed), I mentioned the web site www.findagrave.com. If Ms. Comer hasn’t yet seen this web site, would you please make her aware of it? The number of photo requests fluctuates (currently at 271), but the oldest request is from 2006. I’m sure there are many others who would appreciate the prospect of obtaining photos of their loved ones’ graves as well. If this is a service the cemetery might consider offering in the future, I would be happy to share that news.

Thank you again for all your help. It’s unlikely I will be able to see these graves in person, so your help, and that of Oakwoods in general, means a great deal to me.

Warmest regards,"

Within days, Mr Davis sent the following email with two pictures attached:

"Hi Ms. Aanenson
Thank you for your contribution to the ADA, here are the findings for the 5 inquiries you made to Oak Woods cemetery. Next of kin is in parenthesis.

1. Jacob J. Mueller, Age 66  (son Otto) buried in section F5  lot 227  (see photo) his wife Elise is buried to his left also listed with headstone. (see photo).
2.  Otto V. Mueller, Age 44 (sister Alma) is buried in F5 -227 next to Jacob's right side, there is no headstone for him.
3.  Alfred Jacob Mueller, Age 62 (son Harold) is buried next to Otto, there is no headstone for him also.
4. Elizabeth Mueller, Age 76 (William) is buried in section R1 lot 571  Dec. 25, 1901.  (see photo).
5. Frida Youngberg, Age 74 (daughter Myrtle) is buried in section F7 lot 593 Oct. 12, 1937. There is no headstone for her.

Respectfully,

JAMES DAVIS
Planning Advisor
Oak Woods Cemetery
1035 E. 67th Street
Chicago, IL 60637"

Charles J Youngberg and his wife Freda (nee Tolf)

Jacob K Mueller and his wife Elisabeth (nee Schmitt)

The Serious Nature of Genealogy

Genealogist caught chopping down family tree; microfilm at 11:00!

My family tree research twists and turns like a windsock in a strong breeze. I've studied the history and geography of the places in which my ancestors lived. I've become familiar with the records available in a variety of locations. I've looked for them online, in maps, in books and newspapers, on microfilm.

Every family tree has some sap in it.

The search is still exciting, even after ~ hmm hmm ~ 30 years. When I started, I told myself that if I reach a point that this is no longer fun, I'll stop. The research continues to keep me interested, but some of the researchers I've met have me shaking my head.

Ancestors run in my family.

Why do genealogists take themselves so seriously? We are an odd bunch, really. What other hobby includes searching through dusty courthouse basements, squinting at faded handwriting, attempting to decipher ancient Latin script, and wandering through abandoned cemeteries?

Adam and Eve probably found genealogy boring.

In good times there is a comaraderie among fellow researchers. We willingly share our knowledge, our frustrations, our triumphs - we all belong to the same club. Lately however, I have encountered a different group: mean genealogists.

Genealogy is relatively interesting.

Some of the family members that reside in the living branches of our trees can be a bit challenging. I understand and empathize. Truly I do. But we don't "own" our family history. I think it's wrong to hold the family tree hostage from people who share our DNA.

Genealogists do it generation after generation.

I recently listened in horror as a woman proudly announced her refusal to tell her inquiring family about any of the information she gathered. She felt that they weren't willing to do the work and therefore they should reap no rewards.

Old genealogists never die, they just lose their census.

Perhaps in 2011 we can be kinder, gentler genealogists. Remember we need to recruit new club members and they will need time to learn the secret handshake.

Thursday's Tithe ~ Boston Massachusetts

Boston Evening Transcript

~ May 20, 1907 ~

Police Lieutenant John B. Rosatto

Lieutenant John B. Rosatto, the man who demoralized La Mafia in Boston, died Saturday at his summer home in Billerica. While traveling through Italy with Chief Watts, the lieutenant was marked by La Mafia for death because of his uprooting of the branch of the society in Boston, and before he and Chief Watts got through with them two were under arrest in Rome.

Born in Boston, Jan. 15, 1858, of Italian parents, John B. Rosatto grew to be a thorough American citizen. He was educated in the schools of the North End and was an apt student. On Aug. 12, 1887, he was appointed a reserve officer, and on June 9, 1888, he was made a permenent patrolman. His devotion to his work was so complete and his success so marked that his rise was rapid, for on Aug. 10, 1893, he was made a sergeant, and on Oct. 23, 1894, he was made a lieutenant. He always served the department at the North End station, where his services were so valuable because of the growth of the Italian colony.

This obituary was located during one of my RAOGK volunteer lookup days. More information about the newspapers I search is on my family history web site. A memorial has been created for John B. Rosatto and can be found on Find A Grave. I hope you'll take a moment to leave flowers for him there.

Thursday's Tithe ~ Chicago Daily News

Some of the newspapers our ancestors' read announced deaths in a more abbreviated fashion than we see today. These obituaries, however brief, often contain clues for family history research. The following notices appeared (exactly as typed here) in the Chicago Daily News May 13, 1886;

"ANDREWS-At 1010 Harrison-st, May 10, NELLIE W. ANDREWS, aged 31 years.

HUGHES-At the residence of his parents, 444 W. Adams-st., May 12, 8 p.m., BEN O., dearly beloved son of William T. and Annie E. Hughes. Notice of funeral hereafter.

HOGLUND-At her residence, 64 Cornell-st., Tuesday, May 11, TOBENA C., beloved wife of John H. Hoglund, nee Nelson. Funeral from late residence Friday, 1:30 p.m., by carriages to Rose Hill.

HETLAND-At 587 N. Robey-st., May 10, JOSEPHINA HETLAND, aged 18 years and 7 months.

KELTZ-May 11, JAMES KELTZ, aged 24 years and 8 months.

KELLIGHER-At 80 N. Superior-st., May 11, DENNIS KILLIGHER, aged 32 years and 4 months.

KINDELIN-At his residence, 749 W. 23d-st., May 12, 1886, PETER KINDELIN, aged 62 years 3 months and 10 days. Notice of funeral hereafter.

KNAPP-At 2954 Arch-st., May 9, FREDERICK KNAPP, aged 45 years.

LINDEMANN-May 11, 8:35 p.m., HENRY FREDERICK, son of Henry and Doretha Lindemann. Funeral Friday, 11 o'clock a.m. sharp, from residence of parents, corner of Elm-st. and Sedgwick court, from there to C., R. I. & R. R. R. Depot, thence at 12:15 to Blue Island Cemetery.

M'LAUGHLIN-At 6 Grand-av., May 11, BERNARD M'LAUGHLIN, aged 21 years.

MUSSER-At Alexian Brothers' Hospital, May 10, NICLAUS MUSSER, aged 38 years.

NEUROTH-At 2821 Dashel-st., May 11, ELIZABETH NEUROTH, aged 37 years and 11 months.

O'LAUGHLIN-May 11, ANDREW O'LAUGHLIN. Funeral from his late residence, 662 W. 20th-st., Thursday, May 13, at 9:30 a.m., to St. Pius's Church, thence to Calvary by Milwaukee & St. Paul cars.

OLDERSHAW-At his residence in Riverside, Ill., on the 12th inst., PERCIVAL P. OLDERSHAW, in the 57th year of his age. Notice of funeral hereafter.

REES-In this city, May 12, CLARISSA J. RICE, beloved wife of Joseph H. Rees, aged 28 years. Funeral from 542 Austin-av., at 3:30 p.m. to-day (Thursday). Interment at St. Lawrence, N.Y.

RICKIE-At 128 25th-st., May 11, ETHEL RICKIE, aged 7 years.

RICHTER-At 572 Larrabee-st., May 10, ETHEL RICHTER, aged 25 years and 7 months.

SHEHAN-AGNES, daughter of Michael and the late Mary Ann Lucy Shehan. Funeral notice hereafter. Gone to meet her mother.

THOMAS-At 2522 S. Dearborn-st., May 10, ROBERT THOMAS, aged 38 years.

SILK-ELIZABETH SILK, aged 51 years and 9 months. Funeral Friday, May 14, at 10 o'clock, from her late residence, 2605 Cologne-st., by carriages to Waldheim.

TOBEY-At Southern Hotel, May 9, MARION E. TOBEY, aged 70 years.

WOOD-At 569 W. Adams-st., May 10, SOPHIA B. WOOD, aged 74 years and 4 months."

These obituaries were located during one of my RAOGK volunteer lookup days. More information about the newspapers I search is on my family history web site.

Thursday's Tithe ~ Los Angeles California

Los Angeles Examiner

~ April 29, 1958 ~

Capt. Leo Gus Wallace

Death of one of the last of America's old windjammer skippers today called attention to a seafaring tradition fast fading into memory.

Leo Gus Wallace, 90, died yesterday at the California Rest Home here after a year's illness, during which he entertained fellow patients with sagas of the sea from the Horn to the Artic Circle.

In retirement from storm-tossed bridges and quarterdecks for 20 years, Capt. Wallace lived at 2231 Locust avenue. Until 1953, he operated a landlubber business as a refrigerating engineer.

Of Scot ancestry, Capt. Wallace was born in Olympia, Wash., after his father, David, brought a fullrigged ship into the Puget Sound at the end of a voyage around the horn and decided to settle in the Northwest.

Capt. Wallace leaves his wife, Ada May, three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren in addition to his son Tom.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Sheelar-McFadyen Mortuary. Interment will be in San Gabriel Cemetery.

This obituary was located during one of my RAOGK volunteer lookup days. More information about the newspapers I search is on my family history web site. A memorial has been created for Capt. Wallace and can be found on Find A Grave. I hope you'll take a moment to leave flowers for him there.