DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am trying to find a really old picture. It is of the Stubbs Mills Schoolhouse in Jay. My grandmother would like a picture of it, and I would like to find it for her and frame it. — Kalie Doiron, k.doiron@ymail.com

ANSWER: Readers, can you help Kalie?

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I have located the former “home” of your newly found gravestone (Dec. 5 query).

Your gravestone (likely white marble?) is that of infant George Francis Perkins, born Sept. 5, 1869, in Minot and died there on June 20, 1871, the son of Samuel J. M. Perkins, 1829-1902, and Emily Packard, 1837-1917.

Sometimes “worn out” or damaged gravestones are replaced with newer monuments and the old ones are discarded. Perhaps the town office or its local cemetery association would appreciate this one back?

It was originally installed at the Center Hill Cemetery in Minot.

I appreciate your column and am glad to have helped. — Mark Benner, genealogist

ANSWER: As noted in yesterday’s column, the stone was likely removed when the infant was added to his parents’ monument after they died.

Sun Spots is not sure if there are good uses for old tombstones. Perhaps they could be reused for pets? Or made into something else, as the next writer suggests.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Few folks have my email address, so here is something called snail mail.

In response to the interesting query about an old tombstone found in an unusual place, while visiting and researching in Germany I discovered a new cemetery in my ancestral hometown but found few tombstones. I was told that the plots were rented for a number of years, then reused after the body and pine box decayed. One could purchase or extend the rent on the plot if desired.

According to local church historians, most of my ancient German ancestors were buried in communal graves far from home. My earliest German-American relative landed here in 1743 and was buried on a leased farm in Pennsylvania without known location or marker, although those who could afford a marker did have them made during that time.

We have my father-in-law’s former foot marker in our garage. I discovered some years ago that the military unit he served with throughout Europe during World War II was not correct on the marker. When he died in the 1960s, no one noticed that his DD214 listed another division.

I requested a new marker with the correct division from the Veterans Administration, and they sent it to us. The old marker will be placed in our backyard this summer. I will set the old marker (upside-down) on two vertical stones to make a bench. Most likely someone, years from now, will discover with wonderment this old stone and write to Sun Spots. — Doug, Auburn

ANSWER: Sun Spots was surprised to read Doug’s comment about his email. You do not have to have your email published with your letter, even if you submit it that way. Sun Spots will gladly withhold any personal information. Just make your request is clear as to what information you do want published.

There are two main advantages to sending your letter electronically. One is that it will reach Sun Spots more quickly. (She picks up her mail weekly at the Sun Journal.) The other is that she won’t have to retype your letter, saving time and reducing errors.

DEAR SUN SPOTS, I was recently referred to Gil Arsenault for information regarding the demolition of a piece of property scheduled for demolition in Lewiston. I called his office, received his voicemail and thought I’d never hear from him, as I’m just an unknown person with a rather unusual question.

I heard from him within an hour. I explained my concern, and he said he would check further and call back. He kept calling me back with information and did his very best to assist me.

The answer was not what I was looking for, but he was a pleasure to deal with, very professional and yet human. I’m sure we’ll talk again. Kudos to Lewiston’s director of planning! — Joan Derocher-Gamache, joanelizabeth@myfairpoint.net

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

Copy the Story Link