Love Across the Border

Here is my ancestry project. I got to spend time on the phone with my grandmother, while she discussed a romantic tale about her parents. Click here if you want to hear a tale of travel and love.

Project: GO Family Tree activate

"Click here" To read up on My research of an ancestor or two!

Ancestry Project: The Courageous Life of Martin A. Macdiarmid

Click here  to check out my ancestry project on my great grandfather

The Foxhole House: Memories of my Great Grandmother

The link below will lead you to my ancestor blogpost.

The Foxhole House: Memories of my Great Grandmother

Check out my Ancestry Project

My post is called Mining for History: My Great Grandparents.

Wrongly Executed?

Find out about how my ancestor was wrongly executed during the Salem Witch trials at my blog!

Ancestry Project

Here's a link to my newest blog! Check it out and learn about my ancestor, Lottie Lee Gault Sellars!

The Luck of the Irish 🍀

click here to read more about my great great grandmother Mary Ellen Groden.

The Interesting Life of Thaddeus Haskell Shull

Click here to see what a son returning home to his funeral, a letter from a former senator, and cows traded for college tuition all have in common.

The Untold Story Of Anne E. Smith Jones

Click Here to see the interesting story of my 100% full blooded Native American Great Grandmother Jones!!

Miss Ruby's Large Life

Click here to learn about my great-grandmother Ruby's Large Life!

Ancestry Insider: A Blast from the Past

To learn more about my family-loving, hard-working, redneck ancestor, CLICK HERE!

From Strawberry Fields Forever to Florida Orange Groves

Click here to read about my great grandmother, Flora Silcox, a hardworking Native American woman from Georgia.

A Pioneer Woman

Click Here to read about one of my thick-skinned, no-nonsense ancestors.

Magnolia Cemetery Introduction

This Prezi further introduces my "Beyond the Grave" students to Charleston's beautiful and historic Magnolia Cemetery, a premiere example of a mid-19th century rural Victorian necropolis.



This Prezi can also be viewed by clicking here. 

Midterm Exam Study Guide

MIDTERM EXAM STUDY GUIDE- TEST IS MONDAY, OCT. 16, 6 P.M. 

Midterm Blog Component (20 Points)

Ø  4 Posts: About Me (expand on gadget version), Ruth Miller, St. Luke and St. Patrick Graveyards (10 marker types), Elizabeth Jackson CofC Headstone

Ø  Proofread everything and fix errors; have good headlines and leads, short paragraphs, two/more embedded links and label words

Ø  Blog Basics: About me with photo of yourself (top right or left side), three columns, these gadgets: page views (blog stats), follow by email, search this blog

Written Test Component (80 Points)

There will be several elements to this test: terms/definitions, multiple choice, short answer and matching. There will not be anything on this exam that is not included in this study guide. Your score on this test (number and letter grade) combined with a critique of your blog will determine your midterm grade.

Test material will come from the following sources:

Ø  Two course textbooks: “In the Arms of Angels” and “Stories Told in Stone” (specific page numbers to review will be given below)

Ø  Five Prezi presentations posted on the class website and linked below

Ø  Various other links indicated below

Ø  Homework handouts (2)- review all questions

Textbook Material to Study and Review:

“In the Arms of Angels: Magnolia Cemetery- Charleston’s Treasure of History, Mystery and Artistry”

Ø  Pages 5-6, “Rural and Victorian Cemetery Movements”- Origins, influences, era (span in years)

Ø  Pages 10-15, “Other U.S. Victorian Cemeteries” – Review common traits and design elements of these cemeteries

 “Stories Told in Stone: Cemetery Iconology- A Manual for Genealogy Research”

Ø  Pages 9-12,  “The History of Cemeteries & Gravestones” – study terminology for this type of research; European and Victorian influences on churchyard customs and the new, larger cemeteries

Ø  Pages 56-57, “Types of Cemeteries”- nine are listed with distinguishing characteristics/purposes

Ø  Pages 90-91, “Visual Guide to Cemetery Monument Types”- there will be a match the marker/monument name with the correct image shown on the other side of the page (review also the marker identification packet given before the visit to the two church graveyards)

Prezi Presentations and Other Links

Ø  Course Overview-

o   Examine the map and know approximately how many gravesites are on Charleston’s Peninsula

o   Know the difference between “graveyards” and “cemeteries”

Ø  Funeral and Cemetery Evolution-

o   Carefully review “The History of Funerals link (three common threads for death and disposition of the dead; “Funeral Rites Through Time” timeline

o   Be able to describe a few of the unique rituals described in the article, “Slaves Brought Burial Customs from Africa to the United States”

o   Review the Wikipedia entry on the Victorian Era

o   Be able to match the country with the custom after reviewing “Fascinating Funeral Traditions Around the Globe” article

o   Know the different types of cemeteries- see pages 56-57 in “Stories Told in Stone”

o   Review factors that have changed U.S. funeral and burial views and customs

Ø  Researching Grave Sites (St. Patrick’s Catholic Church)-

o   Know and be able to list several research tools and sites mentioned here

Ø  Charleston History and Graveyards Expert Ruth Miller’s Class Visit (my blog post)

o   Be familiar with the Charleston firsts and other cemetery/graveyard distinctions

Ø  Types of Grave Markers and Name These Grave Markers

o   These will be matching: photos of the different markers on one side, the names on the other side, so be able to correctly identify 10 or more (see also pages 90-91 in “Stories Told in Stone”)

o   Also review this “Quick Field Guide to Monument Types”

Test Breakdown:

Ø  Blog Quality                                                                                  20 points

o   4 Posts: About Me (expand on gadget version), Ruth Miller, St. Luke and St. Patrick Graveyards (10 marker types), Elizabeth Jackson CofC Headstone

o   Proofread everything and fix errors; have good headlines and leads, short paragraphs, two/more embedded links and label words

o   Blog Basics: About me with photo of yourself (top right or left side), three columns, these gadgets: page views (blog stats), follow by email, search this blog

Ø  Multiple Choice (15 questions)                                                      30 points

Ø  Short Answer (5 questions)                                                            10 points

Ø  Matching (2 parts)

o   Marker/Monument Types (15)                                           30 points

o   Funeral/Cemetery Traditions around World (5)                 10 points

           100 points 

A look Into Some of Charleston's Church Graveyards

Our Class took a trip to two of Charleston's church graveyards. If you'd like to read about my trip and the different types of gravestones I saw please click "here".

Ten Types of Grave Markers & Monuments

For my Beyond the Grave class we went to Cathedral Church of St.Luke, St. Paul graveyard, and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Click here if you want to read my piece about the different types of grave markers and monuments that I saw.

Who is Elizabeth Jackson? And Why is her Headstone in Cougar Mall?

Elizabeth Jackson Headstone 

Before coming to class I wasn't even aware that there was a grave marker located in Cougar Mall. But after doing some research I found out the grave marker belongs to Elizabeth Jackson who is the mother of President Andrew Jackson and died in Charleston in the fall of 1781. She is originally from North Ireland and immigrated with her family to the American colonies.

Her and her family left due to political unrest and religious persecutions against Protestants. According to the website "Strange History" Elizabeth and her family first entered Philadelphia and made the journey to the rural Waxhaw Settlement. The Waxhaw Settlement was located between the North Carolina and South Carolina border.

She later passed away from small pox due to taking care of sick Revolutionary War soldiers while abroad a British prison ship.Years ago her granite marker moved to the College of Charleston campus.Her marker is now located right off of Cougar Mall. 

Elizabeth Jackson Statue 

Not only does she have a grave marker located in the College of Charleston campus but she also has few a monuments honoring her. The first monument was donated by members of the United States military stationed at Fort Moultrie. The second monument is located in the Old Waxhaw Cemetery and then the Daughters of the American Revolution dedicated their own monument to her that is located in downtown Charleston's Washington Park. The reasoning behind Elizabeth having so many monuments is because she was an ardent patriot during her time who gave birth President Andrew Jackson.

We got GRAVE-T outlook on the Dead

Now, everyone has their opinions and is entitled to it, but Creep Blo Night Blog has the best opinions around!!

You can "Click Here" to read about adventures or information on a daily here! Don't be shy, click away!🔻😄👍🔻

A Trip too "Grave"? Nah

Click here to explore my latest blog post about our recent exploration of two of Charleston's historic graveyards! Thanks for "digging" into my blog, hope you enjoy!

Graveyard Adventures

Last class we were given an opportunity to go to a couple graveyards and search through the grave markers and observe and take pictures of all the different markers. click the link to find out more!

Scavenger Hunt in Charleston's Famous Graveyards

Check out my latest blog post here where I explore different grave markers in some of Charleston's famous graveyards!

First Experience in the Cemetery; We made it out alive!!

Last week we visited 2 of Charleston's old cemeteries! Click Here to see my experience and learn about the different types of gravestones!!!

Touring the Tombs: The Cathedral of St. Luke and St. Paul and St. Patrick Catholic Church

Beyond the Graves Field Trip: One
Hannah's Adventures


Monday September 25th my FYE Beyond the Graves class embarked on our first field trip to two well know Charleston graveyards.  Here is my blog about our experience and pictures of some interesting tombstones we saw.

Click here to read

Sunsets and Headstones at St.Paul and St. Luke Graveyards

Check out my post about my exploration of the St. Paul and St. Luke graveyards!

Exploring the Stones!

Some types of the most common grave markers explained and examples used on my blog. Check it out here.

A tour of the Dead; Watch your step!

Hey, go check out my blog on various types of grave markers in a few of Charleston's local graveyards! Click here to read it!

The Unique Gravestones Found Around Charleston

Gravestones come in all types shapes and sizes. After having the unique opportunity to travel to two church graveyards, I have been able to give insight into just what some of these markers may look like. I hope that everyone enjoys. To get to this post please click the link bellow

The Unique Gravestones Found Around Charleston

I Made It Out Alive!!

I went into a graveyard for the first time this past Monday and I came out alive! If you are like me and watch a ton of horror movies, you know that this is something to be celebrated. In celebration I wrote a blog post showcases some of the awesome markings that I saw while I was looking through out the graveyard. Click Here if you want to read this awesome piece!

Gravestone Glossary

For more about the different types of gravestones found in Charleston, and the churches they can be found at, Click Here!

A Moss Graves Post

Click Here to visit the many types of grave markers that help tell the story of the people who have left this world.

Church Graveyards Full of History and Mystery

Students investigating the Cathedral Church graveyard

Our class visit to two old church graveyards just blocks from campus went great- the weather was nice, we heard from an archivist and even encountered an Outer Banks shipwreck tragedy.

We headed first to the Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul on Coming Street.  The church and its graveyard date to the early 1800s.

Research Process: Interesting St. Patrick's Church Gravesites

This Prezi shows some of the different ways one can go about researching a gravesite to try to learn more about who is buried there, his/her life, family, and other things that can help "bring alive" the life of the long dead...

Click here or view below: