By Tina Tidmore
The Josiah Brunson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution announce the publication of a new book with information retrieved from grave markers in many Clay, Pinson and Trussville cemeteries. They are already working on a second book with more cemetery information.
The new cemetery book is just one in a series published by the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter
. The book can be found at local libraries. Photo by Tina Tidmore/Trussville Tribune
The 104-page “Alabama DAR Genealogical Records Report” focuses on just what is seen from grave markers, which is in line with the documentation requirement a person must meet to prove they are eligible for membership to the DAR. It became available this week at the Trussville, Clay, Pinson, Springville Road and Birmingham downtown libraries, said Mary Lewey, Josiah Brunson Chapter regent.
Lewey said they have been visiting cemeteries all over the Clay, Pinson and Trussville area to compile the list. The cemeteries included in the first report include Red Hill Cemetery of Pinson, Ellard Cemetery in Trussville, Wear Family Cemetery in Clay, Mt. Olive Cemetery in Trussville, Cahawba Baptist Cemetery in Trussville, Reed Cemetery in Huffman, Mount Nebo Cemetery in Trussville, Inzer Cemetery in Trussville, Cedar Mount Cemetery on Cedar Mountain Road, Chalkville Baptist Cemetery in Chalkville and Taylor Chapel Cemetery in Chalkville.
Some of the information was hard to get. One example she gave is the potter’s field in Morris. Lewey said that after months of trying, she just got permission to see the records Jefferson County keeps for who is buried there. However, a fire at the county courthouse decades ago caused a loss of some of those records. The information for that cemetery is expected to be in the second book of the series, which will also include a listing from Bass Cemetery in Irondale, Massey Cemetery in Trussville, Bush Cemetery in Irondale, Wilson Chapel Cemetery in Roebuck, Green Cemetery in Pinson, Clay Cemetery and some of the markers in Jefferson Memorial East.
Many of the markers have had the writing worn off. And Lewey questions why Cedar Mount Cemetery has so many markers with no writing.
To gain and share information, Lewey said she will be visiting the local historical societies, starting with the Clay Historical Society in November.
This month is expected to be very busy, with the local DAR chapter members placing flags on veterans’ graves at Chalkville Baptist Church Cemetery, Mt. Calvary Presbyterian Church Cemetery and the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Trussville.
They will also place patriotic wreaths at the Veterans Field of Honor section of Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville and on the arch entrance of Chalkville Baptist Church Cemetery.
On Nov. 8, they will have their regular meeting at 10:30 a.m. at Grayson Valley Country Club. And just four days later, on Nov. 12, the group will participate in the Birmingham National Veterans Day Parade by handing out candy and flags to the spectators.
