Graveyards of Chicago; the People, History, Art, and Lore of Cook County Cemeteries is a wonderful resource for genealogists, local historians, and lovers of the arts and social sciences.

I carried the first edition with me in April during my Thousand Mile Journey, referring to it before and after every cemetery visit. As soon as I returned home, I purchased the newest edition.

In her dedication of this gloriously revised and expanded book co-authored with Matt Hucke, Ursula Bielski writes in part, “…and all the neglected and forgotten dead.”

I was re-inspired by these and other phrases that summarized the need for cemetery preservation.

As individuals we may not be able to save an entire cemetery from demise. But we could do something.

We could each take just one headstone picture. Transcribe just one obituary. Remember just one family member.

We could all become advocates of the dead by adding a memorial to Find A Grave or another site that preserves our history.

Their history.

We need to do this sooner than later.

Because this

turned into this

in just five years.

Go graving this weekend.

Prevent another headstone from fading away.