Friday, January 21, 2011

Roadwork in Poland unearth German WWII mass grave

Construction workers in Poland have reportedly disturbed a mass grave of German soldiers from World War II.

Polish police say human bones, scraps of military uniforms, belts, gas masks and bullets have been found scattered along a road under construction.

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Thursday, January 20, 2011

Bones beneath Derry church may be mass grave from siege

A mass grave dating back to the 17th century and the Siege of Derry has been unearthed under a Presbyterian Church in Londonderry. It is thought the site is the final resting place of “a huge number” of Presbyterians who died during the siege.

Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/bones-beneath-derry-church-may-be-mass-grave-from-siege-15053958.html#ixzz1B7EjKrgi

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Not so odd for grave markers to go astray

Think the holiday discovery of a 123-year-old tombstone in the fireplace of an Ingersoll, Ont., home was a one-of-a-kind occurrence? Not at all.

Tombstones have been known to turn up in unlikely and unsettling places. Like in someone's yard. It happens from time to time, even right here in Brantford.

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Sunday, January 16, 2011

Grave marker mystery solved

The mystery of the forlorn tombstones in Mitchell has been solved.
The strange tale of the two granite markers, engraved with the names Blanche and Jody, dates back decades.

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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

2,600-year-old Celtic tomb discovered in Germany

Archaeologists have unveiled the treasures of a 2,600-year-old Celtic tomb containing a wealth of art in Germany.

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Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Discovery of tombstone has descendants 'thrilled to death'

A tombstone found by Ingersoll homeowners who were recently renovating their fireplace is that of a pioneer with connections to Brant and Oxford counties, who was also a veteran of the War of 1812.

The pristine limestone grave marker of Comfort Sage, who died on April 5, 1887, at the age of 90 years and 10 months, was found by Russell and Heidi Watson. The couple had turned over a large rectangular hearthstone in their home only to discover that it was actually a tombstone.



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Saturday, January 08, 2011

Who is really buried in John Wilkes Booth's grave?

Just who is really buried in the grave of Abraham Lincoln's killer?

Rumors have swirled for decades that John Wilkes Booth's Baltimore grave is occupied by someone else, and the presidential assassin survived his reported death.

Now descendants want to test the DNA of his brother and uncover the truth once and for all.

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Thursday, January 06, 2011

After 100 Years County Pioneer's Family Gets Cemetery

The 11 descendant families of pioneer John Wells have great cause to celebrate. The deed to the family's cemetery is finally in their hands after 100 years spent trying to acquire it.

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Sunday, January 02, 2011

25% to 30% Sale On Ancestry.com

I was reading the Olive Tree Genealogy Blog and found out that Ancestry.com has a huge sale on. If you want to save on a subscription to Ancestry this is the time.

Friday, December 31, 2010

Old Tombstone Found in Fireplace Hearth

Imagine finding an old tombstone in your fireplace! It happened recently in Ontario Canada.

A tombstone found by Ingersoll homeowners who were recently renovating their fireplace is that of a pioneer with connections to Brant and Oxford counties, who was also a veteran of the War of 1812.

The pristine limestone grave marker of Comfort Sage, who died on April 5, 1887, at the age of 90 years and 10 months, was found by Russell and Heidi Watson. The couple had turned over a large rectangular hearthstone in their home only to discover that it was actually a tombstone

Source: The Expositor. "Discovery of Tombstone Has Descendants Thrilled to Death" by Heather Ibbotson

Continue reading this fascinating story and see a photo of Comfort Sage

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Neanderthal family found cannibalised in cave in Spain

Archaeologists in Spain have unearthed the remains of a possible family of 12 Neanderthals who were killed 49,000 years ago.

Markings on the bones show the unmistakeable signs of cannibal activity, say the researchers, with the group having probably been killed by their peers.



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Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Neanderthal genes 'survive in us'

Many people alive today possess some Neanderthal ancestry. Between 1% and 4% of the Eurasian human genome seems to come from Neanderthals according to a landmark DNA study.



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Monday, December 20, 2010

Ancient Muslim cemetery demolished by military regime

A 124 year-old Muslim cemetery was demolished by the Burmese military regime’s Engineers’ Corps from Pegu Division on December 16, 2010, according to a statement issued by the Burmese Muslim Association.

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Saturday, December 18, 2010

French Scientists Identify the Head of King Henry IV

With no DNA to help them, a team of French scientists has nevertheless identified this mummified head as that of one of the most popular monarchs to reign over France.

Henry IV was murdered 400 years ago and was buried. But his head was lost during the French revolution at the end of the 17th century when royal graves near Paris were ransacked.

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Monday, December 06, 2010

Radar probes for submerged graves

The sloping pasture land near Weyers Cave in northern Augusta County contains centuries-old family mysteries that could be fully explained by a technology developed during the Vietnam War.

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Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868

I have just added the Coffin Plate of Livonia Hodsdon 1807~1868. I had a look in the 1850 United States Federal Census on Ancestry.com. I did not find a Livonia Hodsdon but I did find a Livonia Hodgdon.

1850 United States Federal Census

Livonia Hodgdon
Age: 35
Estimated birth year: abt 1815
Home in 1850 (City,County,State):
Tremont, Hancock, Maine
Household Members:
Name, Age

Enoch Hodgdon 37
Livonia Hodgdon 35
Enoch Hodgdon 9
John W Hodgdon 8
Thomas Hodgdon 5
Cordelia H Mayo 16
Livonia Ann Mayo 17
Joshua C Mayo 13
Warren H Hodgdon 1

Not sure if this is the Livonia we are looking for. It will take a little more reasearch.