See 1st grant from this quarter: Daughters of Zion Cemetery.

I know what you’re thinking. Two cemeteries in one month? Yes, two. I mean, c’mon. I’m a genealogist!

So when Becky Shuff contacted me on behalf of Terry Cemetery, she already had a point in her favor. She explained that it was established circa 1835 and holds approximately 250 graves, including three Civil War soldiers, and that it had no means of continuous care, so she had undertaken the role of caretaker. She and her sister, Betty Fox, sought to identify as many of the unmarked graves as possible and published a book, Terry Cemetery, Victor, WV, which included a list of identified graves, obituaries, death certificates, photographs, and military data, as well as a Terry genealogy report. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Terry Cemetery Fund for mowing and upkeep expenses. Clearly, Becky is dedicated to this cemetery.

But then she said two more things that grabbed my attention. The first is that she was asking for a lawnmower. In 16 years of running the Seton Shields Genealogy Grant program, no one else has ever asked for a lawnmower. And by the way, the one you see pictured here is exactly the one she wants because she was very specific!

She also mentioned that she had been approved by the Mt. Olive Correctional Facility for the provision of six inmates and one guard to help with the upkeep of this cemetery. Her responsibility is to provide equipment and meals for the inmates and guard.

How smart, I thought. I’ve long believed that genealogy and inmates make a good combination (to understand why, read Inmates Indexing Genealogy Records), and that this solution Becky had come up with might benefit the inmates as much as the cemetery. So for the first time ever, this grant is for a lawnmower.

To apply for a Seton Shields grant, fill out and submit the form here. You can see examples of past grant awards here.