TMG-L Archives

Archiver > TMG > 2002-06 > 1023142614


From: "Laura M. Cooper" <>
Subject: Re: [TMG] Place of death
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 2002 17:24:44 -0500
References: <5.1.0.14.2.20020603070741.036120e8@pop3.norton.antivirus>
In-Reply-To: <005701c20b40$d348eee0$60440142@master>


At 01:54 PM 6/3/02 -0700, Cliff wrote:

> I really don't think anyone would actually forge a Gravestone...

How much you wanna bet? <g>

To show what lengths some people go to, to hide embarrassing family
details, a headstone was replaced at a cousin's grave (great-grandfather's
first cousin) in the family cemetery with a death date some 60 years too
early. This cousin was orphaned and raised in an uncle's family with his
cousins, one of whom was about his age and later served as district judge
for more than 40 years. The judge prepared and had notarized an affidavit
outlining several generations of the family in which he swore that the
cousin in question "died before reaching his majority." (He was about 74
when he died on authority of my dad who knew him well and who was present
when he died at the home of my grandparents, the only family members who
would take him in.) My dad's older brother, a major general in the Army,
signed the affidavit though he, of course, knew the cousin well. This
infuriated my dad who loved this family outcast with all his heart and
soul, and who tried for years to set the record straight. In fact, it
distressed him to the point that he arranged to be buried with his mother's
family rather than in the family cemetery. I suppose I should look for
other quarters as well, because I'm attempting to carry on in his stead.

Laura Cooper
Arlington, Texas

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