If you have followed along with SwittersB, you know I like exploring Oregon’s pioneer cemeteries. The markers make all manner of suggestion to me as I stroll about. Several children passing on the same day or within days of one another (an accident, disease, or worse). Historical names to the area or region are found. Or names that suggest further research and new discoveries.
Often the pioneer cemeteries are maintained by a core volunteers who tend to the grounds, the markers and records. Keeping track of where the graves are can be difficult if the markers are moved or overgrown. Here the markers are propped up against the primary family marker. Who were these people deserving of only a set of initials? Did finances limit the attention to details? Were they outcasts or distant cousins or son and daughter-in-laws? The leaning markers captured my imagination this time. It was the thought that counted at the time to make a marker I suppose. Now they are propped up as a fading reminder. Thank you to the volunteers that maintain this cemetery in the Columbia River Gorge.
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SwittersB & Exploring 
I suspect finances then, as now, were one of the main issues. An article in our newspaper today says that many people are unable to afford the costs of even a basic funeral. Imagine how difficult it must have been many years ago when families were much larger and mortality was higher. I am thankful for cemetery volunteers especially those who have helped put headstone/burial plot photos on cemetery sites. Thanks to them I have seen a few family headstones from the comfort of my computer desk.
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Yes, most often, they did the best they could while dealing with grief. Thank you.
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At least someone cares. I have a healthy respect for the dead. 🙂
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🙂 A good thing, I think!
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The way ppl treat others is cray.
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I’ve spent hours tromping through cemeteries in an attempt to find more records of my family. One no-longer-attended-to Red Hill Cemetery in southwest Virginia takes the cake, with barely any legible markers, and mostly overgrown. I left there scraped and covered in brambles, not a single new lead. (But it was beautiful still…)
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Best wishes on your searches. A decade or so ago, I spent several years researching the family tree and discovered all manner of stuff unknown to my elders. Very enjoyable. Good luck!
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Fascinating! I’ve never seen markers like that. It’s amazing that any have stayed in place so long. If they are in a low-snow area of Oregon, though, I suppose that would help keep them from breaking or moving.
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Not a lot of snow/ice been when it comes it is one of the harshest places in the West. Thanks for the visit/comment!
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