Lee reported this morning that the original, historic, burial records have been recovered from Tom Davis and our now in the hands of the attorney for Friends of Riverview. This is wonderful news with which to start the new year. Thanks to everyone involved for achieving this major milestone.
Jim
My concerns about Riverview
My concerns about Riverview
I'll be updating this over the next few days - trying to summarize what I know and links to information that have already published. For now, I just wanted to get this started to give everyone concerned a place to come for current information and to voice their concerns and indicate what they've already attempted to address the problems with the cemetery.
I can remember visiting Riverview as a little boy - most of my relatives are buried there. My great grandmother, great grandfather, grand parents & aunts and uncles and most recently my mother and father are all at Riverview. When my father was buried there in 1996 and my mother in 1999, the place still looked pretty good. The grass was mowed, there were a few flowers about and although it looked a bit tired, you don't really expect cemeteries to look vibrant now do you?
Unfortunately, procrastinator that I am, I never got stones for either my mother or father's graves. I know exactly where they are, but from what I understand I'm among the lucky ones. Many people do not know where their family members are buried and apparently cannot get access to the records from the current owner.
A recent posting on another forum indicated the grass was knee high and there are sink holes on the grounds. There was a hearing this week for a developer who is putting up condos adjoining the cemetery who wants to demolish the chapel which is said to be partially on his land.
The current owner purchased the cemetery a few years back, and from what I understand has been unable to maintain it. When I first read the report of Rev. Tom Davis purchasing the property, it sounded like a good thing - a neighborhood cleryman who would give those interred there the respect they deserved. What happened?
Soon after the cemetery was purchased I attempted to phone Rev. Davis. I left a message to offer my services to transcribe and put the records online. I received no response.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has contacted Rev. Davis, city officials, members of the community, etc. Tell us anything you can that you think might help.
Thanks -- Jim Gish
I can remember visiting Riverview as a little boy - most of my relatives are buried there. My great grandmother, great grandfather, grand parents & aunts and uncles and most recently my mother and father are all at Riverview. When my father was buried there in 1996 and my mother in 1999, the place still looked pretty good. The grass was mowed, there were a few flowers about and although it looked a bit tired, you don't really expect cemeteries to look vibrant now do you?
Unfortunately, procrastinator that I am, I never got stones for either my mother or father's graves. I know exactly where they are, but from what I understand I'm among the lucky ones. Many people do not know where their family members are buried and apparently cannot get access to the records from the current owner.
A recent posting on another forum indicated the grass was knee high and there are sink holes on the grounds. There was a hearing this week for a developer who is putting up condos adjoining the cemetery who wants to demolish the chapel which is said to be partially on his land.
The current owner purchased the cemetery a few years back, and from what I understand has been unable to maintain it. When I first read the report of Rev. Tom Davis purchasing the property, it sounded like a good thing - a neighborhood cleryman who would give those interred there the respect they deserved. What happened?
Soon after the cemetery was purchased I attempted to phone Rev. Davis. I left a message to offer my services to transcribe and put the records online. I received no response.
I'd like to hear from anyone who has contacted Rev. Davis, city officials, members of the community, etc. Tell us anything you can that you think might help.
Thanks -- Jim Gish
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4 comments:
i know I have ancestors who were buried at Riverview. How can I get information on them?
You may contact drleeanderson@aol.com and she will look up the information for you.
The burial records from 1930 to 2002 are on a computer database. If the burial was between 1872 and 1930, the original books will be checked.
Thanks, Lee
Will those burial records or copies of them ever go to the Historical Society so everyone can look up burial records there?
The original burial books are very fragile so the general public will not be flipping through the pages to look up information. Instead a group of 3 volunteers under the guidance of Friends of Historic Riverview Cemetery (FHRC) are in the process of adding to the existing computerized database all the remaining burial data from 1872 to 1930 and then from 2003 to present.
I will make the public aware when this project is complete and we will make the information easily accessible.
For now, you may contact me directly with your request and I will make note of it and get the information to you as my time allows.
In lieu of a look-up fee (charged by the HSD, I suggest that folks make a donation to the FHRC whose mission it is to restore and preserve this much loved and culturally diverse non-profit pulbic cemetery in Wilmington.
(www.RiverviewCem.com)
My best!
Lee Anderson
drleeanderson@aol.com
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