Can we document defunct cemeteries?

Question

I have been coming across the mention of cemeteries that do not exist now. If we know from good documentation that someone was buried there and have no record of the body being moved, shouldn't we create that cemetery and just say it doesn't exist anymore? For example, I have a letter in a NARA pension file that reports that the veteran "was buried in the Moravian Cemetery, 304 E. 55th St., New York City."

This cemetery does not exist now and there is no record of it in that location other than the quote from the NARA letter. This is only one case, but it exemplifies a common situation.

Another example is where a family is documented as being buried in a farm or plantation cemetery that doesn't exist anymore, but we know who was buried there.

This would mean that we would not limit ourselves to FindAGrave or BillionGraves

Comments

we already do that and mark them that way

https://plus.wikitree.com/default.htm?report=srch5&Query=defunct+cemetery hit the find categories button

I think you need more than one NARA pension file note for creating such a cemetery. I have been checking newspapers.com for NYC and the Moravian cemetery keeps coming up in New Dorp. Maybe they had an office on E. 55th or something.  I would not create a defunct cem. category without more to go on.

If the remains were removed to another burial place, THAT cemetery should be added to the profile, though. The point is to be able to find the final resting place.

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From what looking I did the other day, my best guess is that he was buried Staten Island (New Dorp).

The other Moravian cemeteries in the five boroughs appear to have been inactive or disinterred and moved by his death year.

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The letter in the NARA pension file is specific "that the veteran was buried in the Moravian Cemetery, 304 E. 55th St., New York City." T Stanton: Please, since you know the most about these cemeteries, would you write up something in the =Research Notes-= explaining this and put the proper category on the profile?

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Yes, I can make those notations sometime in the next day or two.

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http://www.nygenweb.net/richmond/cemeteries/Moravian/1918/Pages044_045.jpg

He was buried in Staten Island. See line nr. 6

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Thank you, Natalie.

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I found more references to 304 E 55th St in Manhattan alongside death notices. This address was not a cemetery, but rather a (now defunct) funeral home called Sutton Chapels:  

DOUGHERTY—Edward G., Attorney at Law for Long Island Railroad Trainman and Car Man Unions, dear father of Edward, Sharon and Joan, nephew of Agnes Law and May Dougherty dear friend of Barbara lone Miller. Reposing at Sutton Chapels, 304 East 55 St. until Friday, 10:30 A.M. Mass of the Resurrection at 10:45 St. John the Evangelist, R.C. Church, 55th Street and 1st Avenue, at 10:45 A.M. Interment Long Island National Cemetery, Visitation 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M.

SOKlRA—Frank, born in Scranton, Pa. Reposing at Sutton Chapels, 304 E. 55th St., N.Y.C. Religious services Saturday, Jan. 2, at 10 A.M. Interment Ferncliff Cemetery. Visitation Thursday, 7 to 10 P.M., Friday, from 1 to 10 P.M.

GUERRIERl—Lucretla, loving wife of John, devoted mother of Frank, Donato, Anthony, Michael and John, Jr., reposing at Sutton Chapels, 304 E. 55 St., until Thursday, 9:30 A.M., requiem Mass Holy Family Church, on E. 47th St., at 10 A.M.

Newspaper Notice for Aaron Stewart Rowley: https://www.newspapers.com/article/new-york-herald-aaron-stewart-rowley/125725323/

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Makes complete sense now.Thanks, Steve,

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My. When you people find an inconsistency, you follow the trail to the end. Congratulations all and thank you.

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Hopefully it's just our stubborn curiosity! I know I hate it when I can't figure out something out.

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@Judy - I love cemeteries and their history - that is actually where my genealogical journey started. So, I can never resist a good cemetery challenge like this!

@Nat - are you calling me stubborn? I'll take it as a compliment! 

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@Steve ... oh no, I'm the stubborn one. You're ..um...just curious.

Answer 1

I would think it was essential.

Answer 2

We should definitely not be limiting ourselves to FindAGrave and BillionGraves; they are both works in progress for one. There are also errors there. People were buried where people were buried. I don't see a reason not to document defunct cemeteries when they are discovered.

Comments

I agree Lucy, death certificates often list the place of burial, obituaries usually list the place of burial.

Family bibles and other similar documents often give the place of burial.

Plus there are other groups including historical societies and local historians that document cemeteries not just FindAGrave and BillionGraves.