Lives of those who have gone before us shouldn’t be erased from time
By Lethbridge Herald on November 4, 2023.
Editor:
In our city cemeteries there are dozens of unmarked grave sites. The wooden crosses at the cemeteries, through the course of time, have detriorated. Some are over 100 years old. However, they did stand tall and had inscriptions on them at one time.
The city gained ownership of St. Patrick’s cemetery in 1909. By the fall of 2014 most of the crosses had been discarded by city staff and now there is little evidence of their existence on site. Markers of some sort should have been placed for future endeavours to replace the wooden crosses. And with the importance of remembering and preserving such history before discarding, there should have been documentation created and filed. It appears neither of these vital, necessary and rather obious steps were taken. If in fact proper records have been kept to preserve what historical information existed, I will happily stand corrected.
A spokesperson from the city stated that if efforts to contact relatives of the crosses is exhausted, the city cannot legally replace them.
The Alberta Cemeteries Act allows the owner of a cemetery (in this case the city) after exhausting all reasonable efforts to contact relatives, to direct or permit necessary repairs.
I would gladly repair or rebuild the wooden crosses to restore the dignity, respect and memory of those who have gone before us.
History should not be erased and they should not be forgotten. After all, we’ll all be there some day.
Stan Adamus
Lethbridge
10-9
I suspect the limited number of “voters” to be found in cemeteries plays a role in the lack of interest amongst civic politicians Stan. Hopefully there are not too many imposed regulations and rules to disuade you from this worthy endeavour. Unmarked graves, real or otherwise, seem to draw a lot of attention these days..maybe someone will pay attention to those of Pioneers of this area and you will get some meaningful assistance and funding.
Good luck.