We’re prepping for our Naperville Cemetery Tour on Wednesday, June 13, and I hope you’re ready to join us!
While preparing for our tour, symbolism scavenger hunt, and grave dousing have led me to think about several facets of cemetery research – AKA – Cemetery Hijinks.
I call it hijinks for several reasons:
a) It may involve some sort of covert exercise (gate jumping, wall scaling, or bribery to enter the grounds)
b) It requires balance and dexterity to avoid falling/walking into plant life, large monuments, or open holes
c) Swatting bugs is on par with heavy aerobic exercise
d) Unexplained things happen, and you may or may not have someone there to substantiate yo
ur claim
There are other interesting elements which coincide with typical cemetery hijinks. One of these is reading and deciphering headstone epitaphs. Many are proverbs or biblical verses, but occasionally there’s a real gem which pops out and takes you off guard.
Cemetery symbolism takes on a whole new dimension, when instead of finding peaceful doves, dutiful anchors, and clasped hands with the words ‘reunited’, you’ll find something like this:
Yes, it’s a motorcycle.
I’ve also heard of Yoda, the 3 Stooges, an assortment of cars, and the Dallas Cowboys emblem standing vigil in cemeteries across the country.
Other useful links for your cemetery hijinks:
Cleaning Headstones – Dos and Dont’s from Hunting Kiwis
General Cemetery etiquette from Dancing in the Gardens of Those Gone Before
Six Seriously Spooky Cemetery Stories from Miss Cellania’s Files
All of this, of course, is a shameless plug for our field trip!
Before you grab five of your friends for this event, don’t forget we will be experimenting with Grave Dowsing, so please read this informative guide and watch this video with Mr. E.J. Adams.
Bring your own set of metal clothes hangers or dowsing rods if you wish.
Weather permitting, we will meet near the oldest section of Naperville Cemetery (The cemetery is located at 705 South Washington Street in Naperville) at 7pm. Signs will be out near the curb. Carpool if you can, and please be patient with parking!
If there is inclement weather, such as rain, thunder, lightning, or extreme wind as of 6 pm, our program will be cancelled.
This is the last Genealogy Club meeting of the season, so if I don’t see you at the field trip, I wish you good luck with your family history endeavors!
See you at the Library!
Debra
great post and that motorcycle is fabulous.