I just moved to a town near Joplin, MO. As I was driving down a back road exploring I found this really old cemetery that was overgrown with weeds and falling apart. History is my life, especially preserving it. It really upsets me that people just let history fall apart like the cemetery. I want to clean and fix up this cemetery, to honor the people that are buried there, and make it so people can go to their ancestors grave sites and make rubbings of the tombstones. My question is where do I go to get permission to clean and fix up this cemetery? Like who in the city would I go to? And would they let a 17 year old girl do this? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
2007-11-02 10:35:50 · 5 answers · asked by Sara Beth 4 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
Good for you!
Some places to try:
The county genealogical society may know who owns it. They might even offer to help, although most of them will be oldsters.
The County Clerk's office; again, they should know who owns it, if it was ever a separate entity. (As opposed to a 1/4 acre on a hill some farmer used for his family and, in turn, for himself.)
The people who live nearby may know. Some cemeteries are private, some are owned by towns, some by non-profit organizations, some by for-profits.
Once you find the owners, ask; they will probably be happy to let you work there.
2007-11-02 11:14:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure, but if I had a problem like that to solve, I'd try to find the owner of the property. And I think that the place to start is probably the county's Register of Deeds office. If the area you are talking about is south of the south side of Joplin, then it is most likely in Newton County. The main part of the city of Joplin, and north, are in Jasper County.
When you figure out the county, check with that county's historical society. They may be able to give you a lead!
Also, another way to possibly find the owner would be through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service office/ __ County Soil and Water Conservation District Office. They should have a plat map which might tell the name of the owner.
I've heard of boys who are working on the Eagle rank doing work of this type, so I'd think girls would be eligible for a project like this, too!
I'm thrilled to know that there are young people like you out there, who have a respect for, and a desire to preserve, our past.
Good luck! Let me know how it goes!!
~B..
2007-11-02 18:15:22 · answer #2 · answered by baeb47 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can also contact your local Genealogical society there.
Joplin Genealogical Society (Jasper Co)
306 South Wall
Joplin MO 64801
417-624-3125
Or the Jasper County, MO GenWeb site.
2007-11-02 18:47:49 · answer #3 · answered by Split Personality 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try the deeds office. They should have a map of who owns what property. This will give you the owners name. If the owner is deceased (that could be why it hadn't been taken care of) then perhaps the deed office may be able to put you in contact with the right folks rather its the town council or heirs of the property owner.
I don't think they would have a problem with you cleaning it up.
2007-11-02 19:58:56 · answer #4 · answered by Holly N 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that sounds like a great idea :) i'm not exactly sure, but you can always ask the priest (or whatever your religion calls them) at the church you go to! and you'll need some help, so maybe you can get some volunteers from your church and/or school. good luck!
2007-11-02 18:32:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋