THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
PUNGO — The research group at the Senior Resource Center, Inc., in Creeds will build upon and update historical data documenting family cemeteries in the former Princess Anne County, and those involved in the effort seek help to conduct research throughout the city.
And they need that help soon, said City Councilmember Barbara Henley, who represents the Princess Anne District.
The group is updating a wealth of data compiled by Dean and Sally Carroll of Knotts Island, N.C., who Henley said provided their work under the title Ancestors in Princess Anne County, Virginia.
Henley said the hope is to verify information, reidentify the cemeteries, and find new ones before winter gives way to spring, when markers may be covered up by Mother Nature. The majority of the cemeteries in the data range in date from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s.
“It’s extremely valuable data for people, especially those interested in geneology,” Henley said during an interview on Thursday, Jan. 7. “We need all kinds of help,” she added, “and to let property owners know we’re doing this.”
Henley said volunteers are sought to help revisit sites to determine whether cemeteries are intact and verify information in the data. They are also needed to contact property owners for permission to visit the sites. Additionally, volunteers are sought to help compile data.
Reach Henley at (757) 426-7501.