Re: [GEN-AFRICAN] African American heritage cemeteries


There is a black cemetary in Coopers/Bramwell WV.? My great-grandmother and other blacks from the area are buried there.? Due to growth of the woods, it cannot be accessed but it is definitely up there.? There is also a black cemetary called Oak Grove Cemetery.? It?is located in Bluewell, West Virginia on Lorton Lick Road. Oak Grove Cemetery was established in the early 1920's by G.H. Sinkford during the height of segregation and served African-American families of the region. There are an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 burials in the 7.2 acre cemetery. The cemetery was discontinued for burials in the late 1970's. Without perpetual care provision in place, the cemetery became overgrown following its last major clearing in 1974. The cemetery became essentially inactive as late as the 1970's, although some burials occurred as recent as 1991.? Hope this info helps,

April


-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Emery <memery@xxxxxxxxx>
To: GEN-AFRICAN <gen-african-l@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, Aug 29, 2009 10:23 am
Subject: [GEN-AFRICAN] African American heritage cemeteries




With your help, I can begin my research for a TV story that will air
next year. I would like to collect a list of African American
heritage cemeteries. I don't need specific locations, but rather,
fuzzy locations like the nearest town or city.

I would describe an African American heritage cemetery as one that is
over 50 years old and contains at least one burial of a black person.

Also you can help by telling me of any black freedomtowns in your
neck of the woods. Archivist Michelle M. Mears and Texas Tech
University Press released a book this month called, "And Grace Will
Lead Me Home." Defined as a black-founded community that came into
being after emancipation and is centered on a segregated church or a
school, this book describes some up-teen freedomtowns in Travis Co.
It is my opinion that some of the cemeteries I seek will be found in
the vicinity of freedomtowns.

Thanks for your interest.

--
Michael Emery If I would learn about a people,
http://memery.home.texas.net I would first visit
their graveyards.
--
Benjamin Franklin


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