White County Historical Museum & Genealogical SocietyMonticello, Indiana
April, 2009
Two weeks ago on Good Friday, my two youngest sons and I traveled to Monticello, Indiana. I was planning to visit several cemeteries in the hope of finding at least my Great Grandmother Rilda Hanaway's grave and possibly several others ancestors as well. On previous trips I didn't bring the names of the cemeteries or who may have been where....this time I was a little smarter and more prepared. My sons and I couldn't check into our hotel until 4 pm. so we decided to check out one particular cemetery I could easily find-the Old Monticello Cemetery where Eliza Hanaway, my 3rd Great Grandmother is buried there. Supposedly, so are three of her sons and her husband Jacob. On the way to the cemetery I drove by the White County Historical Museum. On my previous trips it was never opened and being Good Friday I didn't give it a thought, until I saw an "Open" sign hanging in the window. BINGO, I couldn't find a parking spot fast enough.
There was supposed to be quite a bit of information on Jacob Hanaway in this museum and maybe I could find it! It turned out to be better than I could have imagined! I met my 4th cousin Judy Carol Baker who just happens to be the director of the museum! Wow, what a wonderful and very informative visit we had too! Judy gave me access to Jacob's will and better yet copied everything that I wanted copies of. She also provided me with copies of Benjamin and Nancy Hockenberry Bowsher my 3rd Great Grandparents! Cool!
Judy gave me directions to several cemeteries in the area and the next day I found Rilda's grave and her son Rollie's grave in the Yeoman cemetery. I found that Jacob shared the grave with his first wife Eliza for his name was on the other side of the tombstone. I found many Bowsher, Bunnell, Burns, and Cripe relatives in the Old Riverview Cemetery.
It certainly was a great trip! Now, all I have to do is download all the pictures of the tombstones, identify them and the cemetery I found them in.....especially before I forget all those little details!
