Comments on Our Oakland: Saint Mary's Cemetery

I like to see the subtle differences from other ar...

2012-01-18T19:24:16.781-08:00

I like to see the subtle differences from other areas. The wording of "native of Portugal" would probably not appear on our headstone instead saying "born in Portugal". I still need to do a lot of research into the markings of grave stones.

re: the anchor, my MV source says an anchor means ...

2012-01-17T18:42:18.193-08:00

re: the anchor, my MV source says an anchor means hope, though sometimes it's just on the grave of a sailor.

Grave Addiction goes into more detail, with Hope or eternal life. Often on sailors' graves. Anchors are also a Masonic symbol for well-grounded hope, therefore they are often found on Masons' graves.

I've seen the iron fences in graveyards in England, but I don't recall having seen it around here. Maybe in the eastern U.S.

Saint Mary's is fairly big at 42 acres (0.17 sq. km), but neighboring Mt. View (where I've posted 250+ photos, and still have more to explore) is 5 times larger at 220 acres (0.91 sq.km) Which makes it all the more amazing they keep them in good shape, though some of the older graves in both are in need of some attention.

Me again. I went into Flickr and took a more deta...

2012-01-17T18:00:49.742-08:00

Me again.

I went into Flickr and took a more detailed look at the 73 (!) images that make your slide-show. Such wonderful variety. What strikes me about St Mary's (and some other north American cemeteries) is the immaculate grasslands surrounded and between the markers. So well tended. Not a blade of grass out of place.

Also, here our graves are often delineated by wrought iron fences about thigh high. St Marys does not have this. I guess it is a case of vive la difference!

Yes, agree with Carolyn re the slide show. Some gr...

2012-01-17T17:51:47.125-08:00

Yes, agree with Carolyn re the slide show. Some great shots included. I love the marker that says 'Our Daddy'. There is anothe shot of an anchor with an entwirled snake. Any idea of this symbolism, Gene? Now that I know symbolism has an overarching meaning, I am seeing more and more of it.

Your historical cemeteries contain more flamboyant foreign names than ours do. We have mainly English, Irish and Scottish, with a few Italian and Greek creeping into the historic era. I must go find me a Chinese section. That would be of historic interest, too.

I have planned a cemetery excursion this coming Sunday, so shall try out my new found knowledge.

Many thanks for this contribution to Taphophile Tragics, Gene. I adore the level of detail, and the love and effort you clearly expend.

Very informative post, Gene. Your slideshow is fa...

2012-01-17T16:41:43.721-08:00

Very informative post, Gene. Your slideshow is fab. I rarely go to St.Mary's but you're making me rethink this.