Genealogy # 68: Detective Work

Genealogy # 68: Detective Work

I've looked at some of the examples provided of oral history projects and listen to some of the stories. I especially liked the JSC Oral History Project, since I am interested in Space.
However, my favorite oral history project is Storycorps from NPR. I hear it on the local station KUHF , 88.7FM.

I've never pursued an oral history project, except once as a high school project, many years ago. I would have liked doing one to record some family history, but the subject I was interested in passed away. My paternal grandmother immigrated here from Hungary and I would have like to hear more of her story. I think my father would be a good subject, too, but we live states apart. Maybe I can recruit one of my brothers.

I went to the Find-a-Grave site and search for the Oakwood Cemetery in Warren, Ohio. It lists 1057 interments. I have always been curious about that cemetery, but found that there really is no easy way to sort for the oldest grave. I searched for another cemetery in Trumbull County and found the Lover's Lane Memorial Cemetery, also known as the Leavittsburg Cemetery. This one only has 13 graves.

The oldest know grave at the Lover's Lane Memorial Cemetery is Fox from 1853. There is a headstone picture with just the surname and date. The top of the stone is missing. There are also a couple of listings without dates due to the condition of the markers. It looks like someone wanted to preserve what was still there before the condition got worse. This is an interesting site, but still has it's limitations.