Are We Neglected Black Cemeteries?

Please join Host Antoinette Harrell and Co-Host Robin Foster as we talk about one of the many legacies that we are neglecting. According to the genealogical research of family historian,Antoinette Harrell, Tangipohoa and St Helena Parishes in Lousiana have many neglected cemeteries. Our families worked hard to provide a place to bury our dead when no other place could be found.

Maintaining the cemetery  preserves its genealogical value. In many rural areas, it is easier to locate the family cemetery unlike in urban areas were people move in from other places.  Family names are deep rooted in rural areas and easily recognized by other families in the area. Family historians who are fortunate enough to locate a well cared for cemetery with headstones can also locate other members of the family buried nearby.

Every church that calls itself an organized institution and collects tithing money and has a cemetery, should they be responsible for the upkeep of that cemetery?

Should distant family members who come back to bury their deceased loved ones and have not contributed to the maintenance of the cemetery pay an annual fee for its upkeep?

Antoinette with the help of Bernard Temple, son, and friend,  Iloina Lyttle, recorded nine cemeteries and  created a database which was donated to the Lousiana USGen Cemetery web site for blacks.