By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—You may have started to notice signs marking cemeteries in Henry County where there previously were no markings at all.
One of the goals of the Henry County Cemetery Committee is to erect signs on all of the unmarked cemeteries in the county and slowly but surely, that goal is being addressed. Signs are now being placed on the cemeteries, thanks to donations from families, volunteers, the Paris Board of Public Utilities Roundup program, and the Henry County Helping Hand.
One of the most frustrating parts about doing family research is the inability to find the graves of loved ones, especially when they are buried in a tiny, country cemetery.
Cemetery signs that have recently been erected include McCampbell Cemetery on Flower Lane and Clifty Cemetery.
According to Tommy Claxton, there are over 425 cemeteries in the county—and committee members are still finding new ones.
Some of those cemeteries are well-maintained and have signs which identify them, but sadly, many others are not maintained and are unmarked.
All cemeteries are protected by state law, but many times the landowner of the property on which the cemetery is located does not even know there is a cemetery there. About half of Henry County’s cemeteries are located on private property, Claxton said, and it is easy for damage to occur due to plowing fields, ATVs, logging and a myriad of other reasons.
The Cemetery Committee is seeking individuals and groups to adopt a cemetery or just donate to the sign project. Cost of the signs is $45 and the Cemetery Committee is maintaining a notebook at the County Archives which lists the cemeteries with signs erected and the location and landowner information.
Anyone wanting to do so can donate to the Henry County Cemetery Committee, located at the County Archives in Weston Hall at 215 Grove Blvd. Suite A. Phone number is 731 642 3638.
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