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The Haunted Librarian

~ Researching, investigating, and writing about the paranormal.

The Haunted Librarian

Category Archives: Cemeteries

Graves Decorated in Seashells

15 Sunday Mar 2020

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries

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Walking through an old, overgrown cemetery, I encountered several graves that were decorated in seashells. Growing up in Florida, I’m accustomed to seashells as building materials. Yet these graves intrigued me. The reasons vary as to why people covered burial sites with shells.

Spanning from the late1800s-1910, some graves in the Southeastern United States were covered in seashells. Here are some of the more popular reasons for this:

  1. The scallop shell, or cockle shell, is an important symbol in Christianity. Today, it is tied to baptism; however, it also signifies the pilgrimage one makes through life. It also represents the resurrection. Graves covered in scallops or any other clam shell may signify the act of crossing over into Heaven.
  2. African American tradition tells of seashells representing the oceans slaves crossed to America. Placing shells upon the grave signifies the figurative act of going home after death.
  3. Seashells were a cheap alternative in burying people. They were readily available in coastal communities. However, the practice of covering a grave with shells was not limited to these communities. Shells were used in transporting fish inland. They were also a by-product of eating mollusks.
  4. Seashells were also used to protect the grave from eroding. The shells weighed down the sand and dirt, thereby keeping the grave from being exposed after heavy rain.

Death in the Digital Age

26 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Death, Uncategorized

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Columbarium, Death in the Digital Age, Katie Thornton, Peck San Theng, Singapore

Nat+Geo+Mashup

Death in the Digital Age

Cemetery historian, Katie Thornton, launches her podcast, Death in the Digital Age or DitDA, in 2020 where she explores how the dead will be memorialized through digital documentation and eventual land restraints. Thornton produced an episode on 99% Invisible in June highlighting how Singapore shifted from a cemetery/graveyard dominated nation cremating only 10% of the Chinese population to where 80% of corpses are now cremated and housed in elaborate, though condensed, columbariums. As Thornton ponders how nations will deal with corpses, so should we.

Singapore is an island city-state of roughly 5.6 million people. The tiny nation was decimated by the Japanese in World War II. Families lived in overcrowded make-shift structures that lacked modern amenities. The government stepped in and created the Housing and Development Board, or HDB, to create a solution. Within 5 years, the HDB oversaw the relocation of 400,000 people. The solution? Very tall apartment buildings—some 50 stories high. Now, the 3rd richest nation in the world houses 80% of its citizens in these nondescript cement high rise buildings.

Unfortunately, in order to build these buildings, the government had to reclaim the land used for cemeteries. Established in 1870, the Kwong Wai Siew Peck San Theng, or Peck San Theng, became one of the largest cemeteries in Singapore. It housed 100,000 graves on 324 acres of land. The cemetery became a town where merchants in the trades of death lived amongst the dead. Nearly 2,000 people lived within the cemetery on prized land. Land that the government wanted for redevelopment.

By 1974, the Singapore government realized that housing was more important than cemeteries. Cremations were encouraged. In 1978, the residents, living and dead, of Peck San Theng were told they had 4 years to move out. The dead were dug up—yes, raised from the dead, and either claimed by family who relocated the deceased or cremated them or, for those unclaimed, the government cremated and held a mass spreading of the ashes ceremony in their honor. The land was quickly redeveloped.

PeckSanTheng
27-05-19-Peck-San-Theng-9-2-Crop-600x465

Of the 324 acres, 8 acres were reserved for a new building, a columbarium, a structure to house cremated remains. And there were a lot of urns to house. Designed by Tay Kheng Soon, the Peck San Theng columbarium opened in 1986. The structure is multi-tiered with urns in bookcases from floor to ceiling. Actually, the building looks like a modern condominium—minimalistic and tranquil.

Interestingly, as the newly branded Bishan Park development opened, ghost stories began to circulate. Stories of a woman waiting for a train who removed her head once seated spread through the development along with other spooky tales. Many who had such sightings or retold these tales were unaware that the land was once a massive cemetery.

Singaporeans realized that in order to remain sustainable, the people needed to change their burial practices. They simply ran out of land. But what about larger countries? How will we alter our burial practices? We have plenty of land (for now); however, we’re increasingly mobile. A lot of us don’t live where we grew up or where our ancestors are buried. How will we memorialize our ancestors in a digital age? I look forward to listening.

In the meantime, visit 99% Invisible’s “Life and Death in Singapore,” https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/singapore/ and view Thornton’s website, http://www.itskatiethornton.com/deathinthedigitalage, Death in the Digital Age.

For Sale: Modernized Converted Chapel

03 Sunday Feb 2019

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Churches, Real Estate, Uncategorized

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Former Chapel Church For Sale, Home with a Cemetery, Home with a Graveyard, North Lopham Norfolk England

Slide1

For Sale: Modernized Converted Chapel

In the market for a converted chapel? Don’t miss out on this modernized 2,245 square foot 2-story detached home in North Lopham, Norfolk, England. Current price of £490,000 has been slashed nearly £100,000 since listed last April. This 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home features a state-of-the-art kitchen and en suite (master bathroom); oak flooring; underfloor heating on the first (ground) floor; and unobstructed light entering through the wrap-around windows on the second floor. This home is a rare find!

The former Methodist Church was built in 1810 and boasts 36 front yard gravesites, with an additional 14 along the side. The graves date back to the 1870s, when the small cemetery reached capacity. The church closed in 2014 and was sold to a developer in 2016. The building has been completely modernized.

House
Floorplan1
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Title excludes the graveyard, which is owned and maintained by the Church of England. Translation: The church will mow the front yard. However, the leasehold is for 999 years. Plan accordingly. Although interest is minimal, someone will snatch a piece of British history at a fantastic price.

The Irony of Dumplin’ (2018)

24 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Famous People, Uncategorized

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St. James Episcopal Cemetery

StJames2

The Netflix original movie Dumplin’ (2018) is tragically ironic. Read how here: https://www.hauntjaunts.net/the-irony-of-dumplin-2018/

Grave Gardening: Preserving Rural Cemeteries

26 Thursday Apr 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Architecture, Cemeteries, Haunt Jaunts, Uncategorized

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Cradle Graves, garden cemeteries, rural cemeteries, The Woodlands

CradleGrave

Grave Gardening: Preserving Rural Cemeteries

Starting in 1831, “rural” or “garden” cemeteries emerged as a de facto public green space where families could visit their dead, tend to their graves, and mingle with the community. These cemeteries were popular weekend destinations. During this time, gravesites were more elaborate than today’s simple, flat grave marker. “Cradle graves” dotted the cemetery landscape. Read about them in my latest blog on Haunt Jaunts: https://www.hauntjaunts.net/grave-gardening-conserving-americas-garden-cemeteries/.

 

Spring Break Road Trip: Cassadaga, Florida

30 Friday Mar 2018

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Camps, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Florida Mysteries, Hauntings, Historic Places, Road Trip, Roadside Attractions, Uncategorized

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carl hiaasen, cassadaga hotel, devils chair, george p colby, lake helen cemetery, lily dale ny, psychic center of the south, tom petty casa dega

Postcard

Spring Break Road Trip: Cassadaga, Florida

Spring Break is in full swing, and there are some off-the-beaten-path places worth exploring. One of them is Cassadaga, Florida. Cassadaga is 40 minutes north of Orlando, off I-4 or an hour and ½ southeast of Ocala. Here are 10 things to know before you go:

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp

  1. Cassadaga is named after Cassadaga Lake outside Lily Dale, New York, sister town to Cassadaga, New York and Florida. Lily Dale is the oldest Spiritualist community in America. It was incorporated in 1879 as Cassadaga Lake Free Association but was ultimately renamed Lily Dale Assembly in 1906.
  2. George P. Colby (January 6, 1848-July 27, 1933), a trance medium, believed his Native American spirit guide “Seneca” led him to Volusia County, Florida in search of land to establish a Spiritualist community. George was homesteaded 145 acres in the area and donated 55 of those acres to create Cassadaga. He died at the age of 86 and is buried in the Lake Helen Cemetery.

Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Early Photo

  1. Cassadaga is a Native American word that means “water beneath the rocks.”
  2. Wintering psychics and mediums from the north sought a warm location to winter. The unincorporated town was established on December 18, 1894 as the Southern Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp Meeting Association.
  3. Cassadaga is known as the “Psychic Center of the South.” Less than 70 people reside in Cassadaga. All are psychics and mediums.
  4. The Cassadaga Hotel, the only hotel in town, was originally owned by the camp but was lost in foreclosure. It is privately owned. The original building burned down on Christmas Day 1926 but was rebuilt within 2 years.
  5. More than 15,000 people visit Cassadaga per year. There are 7 parks and meditation areas in the camp. Visitors can walk the town, book appointments with psychics, tour 2 historical buildings, shop the bookstore, or sip coffee at the hotel.
  6. Singer/songwriter Tom Petty (1950-2017) wrote the song “Casa Dega” about the town.
  7. Fiction writer and essayist Carl Hiaasen based the fictional town Grange in Lucky You on Cassadaga. In the novel, Grange is a strange town where people experience a lot of religious miracles. The main character JoLayne, and African-American woman who wins ½ of a Florida Lottery jackpot, resides in Grange.

CarlHiaasen

  1. If you visit, stop in the Lake Helen Cemetery, situated between Cassadaga and Lake Helen. In the cemetery in a family plot, there is a brick bench, a mourning bench. An urban legend has started that this is a “Devil’s Chair” whereby the Devil arrives when someone sits on the bench. Another tale states that if a can of beer is left, it will be empty in the morning. Let me know what happens.

DevilsChair2

Happy Travels!

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

02 Monday Jan 2017

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Crimes, Famous People, Scams, Slander, Slander in Paranormal Community, The Haunted Librarian, Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

burke ramsey, defamation, jonbenet ramsey, lawsuits, ParaScammers, slander, st james episcopal church cemetery

burkeramsay
jonbenetexhumed
jonbenetramsey

 

Slander in the Age of Post-Truth: Burke Ramsey Files Defamation Lawsuit

 

JonBenet Ramsey rests in eternal peace alongside her mother and half-sister Elizabeth in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery across the street from my daughter’s school. It happens to be my church’s cemetery, as well. It is a small, quiet cemetery. I pass it at least twice a day during the school year. Every time I drive by, I think of JonBenet. Her murder was a tragedy that persists because no one has ever been arrested or convicted for the crime. Americans with their fascination with true-crime books and TV shows are consumed with her death.

 

Twenty years ago 6 year old beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey was murdered in her Colorado home. Her parents, John and Patsy, along with her brother, Burke, were suspects early on in the investigation. All three were cleared (see http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/29/us/jonbenet-ramsey-murder-fast-facts/). However, this didn’t stop one “documentary” from naming Burke as the killer. The Case of: JonBenet Ramsey debuted to lukewarm reviews capitalizing on the public’s infatuation with this tragedy. Ultimately, CBS may pay substantially for its recklessness.

 

The 2-part production was riddled with slanderous accusations. It was clear that the network merely sought to capitalize on ratings and advertising dollars. Producers dismissed the conclusions of law enforcement and multiple witness testimony concluding that Burke, who was 9 years old at the time, committed the murder. They’re wrong, but in the age of “post-truth,” this did not matter. All CBS saw were dollar signs. Hopefully, they will pay—and pay dearly. Burke Ramsey filed a staggering $750 million dollar defamation lawsuit this past week (see http://variety.com/2016/biz/news/jonbenet-ramsey-cbs-lawsuit-1201949899/ for more information).

 

Shortly after the series aired several “news” outlets suggested that JonBenet’s body was exhumed. It wasn’t; however, it sold a lot of tabloids. According to The Oxford Dictionary, post-truth means “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Although routinely applied to political arguments, post-truth is when facts are ignored and replaced by emotional opinions. Needless to say, this is dangerous territory. By making an emotional appeal that someone—anyone—should be held accountable for JonBenet’s death, the producers believe that they can get away with framing Burke. They shouldn’t though.

 

Media is rampant with slanderous comments. There are numerous laws against and related to slander. However, law enforcement routinely avoids charging someone. Often the only recourse is civil court, which is expensive. To some, it is easier to defame and to get away with it while profiting. That is why this case is important. If Burke’s legal team is successful, they may be able to set a precedent for others seeking remedies in similar actions. Similarly, they rely on Hulk Hogan’s defamation case against the now defunct Gawker Media to bolster their case. These cases may pave the way for others with limited income to successful sue for defamation.

 

The paranormal community has its share of profiteers who slander others in order to make a quick buck. This article is meant to place them on notice. Don’t make up stories about the living or the dead. (Yes, the dead cannot sue for slander, but it’s unethical just the same.) In addition, don’t repost or share stories that you suspect to be fake. Paranormal researchers should hold themselves to higher standards. By doing so, they establish credibility and limit their exposure to potential lawsuits.

 

A Missing Corpse = Foul Play

12 Sunday Oct 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Breaking the News, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Florida Mysteries, In the News, Live Paranormal

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arthur g. dozier school, breaking the news, coffin filled with planks, empty coffin, florida industrial school for boys, florida school for boys, paranormal i-con, thomas curry

Florida Industrial School for Boys Postcard

Postcard of the Florida Industrial School for Boys

A Missing Corpse = Foul Play

Reports of abuse and killings plagued the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys for decades. Former detainees filed a class-action lawsuit. The State of Florida investigated determining that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate. The University of South Florida (USF) Anthropology Department received a grant to exhume the 31 known and over 55 unmarked graves. Dr. Erin Kimmerle, a professor at USF, also obtained an order allowing the excavation of another coffin in Philadelphia. Her team dug up the coffin only to find wooden planks instead of a body.

The Florida State Reform School opened in January, 1900 in rural Marianna, Florida. The state-run facility housed boys, aged 8-21. At its maximum, the school housed 500 boys. The school closed for “budgetary reasons” in 2011. These young men committed minor crimes from truancy to theft and were sent to the school in an effort to restore them to community life. Along the way, something went horribly wrong.

Undergoing four name changes in its 111-year history, the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys sits on 1,400 acres. Numerous buildings and cottages dot the landscape. Former residents described the grounds as beautiful—much like a college campus. Facilities included a pool, cafeteria, farm, dairy, and hospital. Two cemeteries, one for Caucasians and another for African Americans, exist. However, only 33 graves are marked with crosses. Through radar, another 55 additional unmarked graves were located. An additional 22 boys who died at the school are unaccounted for. Numbers vary; however, some 84-100 boys died while detained at Dozier. Unfortunately for some, the school became a place of torture.

Radar

Radar

In 1925, 17-year-old Thomas Curry was sent to the reform school. He remained for 29 days. A ledger entry at the school denoted Thomas was “killed on the RR Bridge Chattahoochee, Florida.” The Old Cathedral Cemetery, in Philadelphia, listed his death as “killed by train.” Curry’s death certificate, discovered in 2008, stated death was caused by a crushed skull from an “unknown cause.” No one from the school reported Thomas’ death to the State of Florida. A wooden coffin was sealed and transported to Philadelphia for burial. The coffin was interred above Thomas’ grandparents. There is no tombstone.

When the coffin was opened, wooden planks were discovered. No body. No skeleton. No personal effects. Where is Thomas Curry?

empty coffin

Coffin filled with wooden planks.

Although a state investigation (2008-2009) failed to find sufficient evidence supporting reputed abuse, this discovery—or lack thereof—should reopen the investigation. Bodies were illegally buried. Bodies were improperly handled. Boys disappeared. Former detainee Roger Kiser called Dozier a “concentration camp for little boys.” The idyllic images of the school posted online in the Florida archives clash with the testimony of 300 men. A missing body highly suggests foul play.

Tune in Friday, October 17th at 9 pm to “Breaking the News” on Paranormal I-Con on www.liveparanormal.com. The Haunted Librarian joins host Wes Forsythe as they discuss the latest paranormal news.

 

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery

26 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Books, Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Photography, Statues and Monuments

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atlanta's oakland cemetery, book reviews

Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery book

Cover Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery by Ren and Helen Davis

Book Review: Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery: An Illustrated History and Guide

By Ren and Helen Davis

Every book about cemeteries should be this stunning. (Actually, every cemetery in America should strive to be this tranquil.) Visually appealing, this book matches the actual cemetery. It is well organized into four distinct sections. Each section begins with an illustrated map denoting the gravesites discussed and important structures. A brief overview provides the reader with enough information to pique her interest. The authors pack as many stories into the book as possible. The final chapter details the importance of the cemetery and its role in the Atlanta community. And quite a role it has. History lives on while visitors stroll through this beautiful cemetery. Preservation is paramount. Through annual events and memberships, funds are reinvested into maintenance and education. Oakland Cemetery is more than the final resting place to Atlanta’s population. It exemplifies the garden cemetery plan prevalent in the nineteenth century. The Introduction by Timothy J. Crimmins details the popularity of rural garden cemeteries and their importance in American history. The book does justice to the numerous mausoleums and statuary located throughout the grounds. Stories of great wealth, and sorrow, reside within this cemetery.

Nuts and Bolts: This book contains everything that makes a good book great. It is well-researched. Crisp photographs are accompanied with historical images. The writing style is casual and appealing. The Appendices are clearly structured and relevant to the content. Although not a proper bibliography, the Notes section does provide enough information for the reader to continue on. Finally, the Index is thorough.

Conclusion: Visit Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery. It is a subtle reminder of our history and challenges us to honor the dead. Before you leave, stop in the adorable gift shop (the former bell tower) and purchase this book.

Have I Been Scared? Short Answer: Yes, But…

16 Sunday Mar 2014

Posted by The Haunted Librarian in Cemeteries, Famous Locations, Ghost Hunting, Orbs

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Tags

Archer PI, cemeteries, devil's turnaround, scared

Cemetery Orbs

Cemetery Orbs

Have I Been Scared? Short Answer: Yes, But…

A couple weeks ago I was participating in a career talk at the local high school. I’m a Rotarian and love, love, love my club. I also like talking—I am a lawyer after all. So, basically the Rotarian sits in a circle with 8-10 students. We share how we got to where we are. For me, that’s difficult. Professionally, I am taking time off. I am enjoying my hobby—ghost hunting. And that’s what I told them: Everyone needs a hobby.

The question came up if I’ve ever been scared. I have. But there is more to the story. I’ve previously blogged about a cemetery not far from me that is supposed to be pure evil. Urban legend has it that satanic ceremonies were held there back in the 80s. Maybe even longer. Visitors are warned not to wear anything religious. No crosses or crucifixes. If you do, beware: You may be burned! This location is so evil that no one will disclose the locations for fear of injury.

I’m a former librarian. Further, I’m a researcher. And I’m nosy. It didn’t take me long, but I found the cemetery. Our team API scheduled an investigation. Our cameraman grew up in the area. He had heard the stories and he wasn’t going to risk bodily harm or anything else. He backed out. Jenn and I went.

We were so amped up from the stories, and there are plenty of them in print, that we were extra diligent in our protection. Our plan was to scout out the location. No attempted communication. Observation was the goal. We were going to walk around and to record anything that occurred.

Immediately upon entering, the orbs were everywhere. I have never seen so many orbs. Nearly every picture had something. Our Ghost Radar was running and very busy. It was identifying lots of energy blips, and quite a few were “red.” DEREK, our digital voice recorder, was recording. All was good. Jenn and I walked 20-30 feet in and then Jenn stopped. (Here is where I point out that Jenn is by far more experienced in exploration and she knows a lot about demons and the like.) My heart is racing. Remember, my mind is overrunning with tales of devil worship and human sacrifice. Jenn has stopped and she hears something. I don’t know this at the time, but the band with my cross that she is wearing is heating up. I about catch up to her when she asks: “I’m good. How about you?” (Hell, to the yes.) I reply: “Yep. I could leave.” I turn around and hustle to the road.

At the road, Jenn shows me her wrist. I feel it. Yep, it was warm. However, I think all of the outside influences—the stories and mystery—made me more afraid then the actual event. I was already pumped up to be scared. And scared I was. Reflecting back, I realized what happened. I talked myself into it. Ultimately we went back and did a daytime investigation. Our conclusion: Urban Legend. Life Lesson: Mind really is over matter.

 

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