Gibson and Lightfoot Cemeteries of Charles City County
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In reply to:
Gilbert Gibson of Charles City County
Kathy Gallegos 7/22/11
Thanks very much for posting the location of these cemeteries as we have recently received a request through Findagrave to photograph the Lightfoot markers.I am disheartened, however, to realize that so many families are unaware of their right to access the private cemeteries of their ancestors.Below is a link to a Virginia gov't website dedicated to the rights and duties of landowners, researchers and family members of those buried.Old home farm/plantation cemeteries like these are scattered all over Virginia, quite literally on/under every old homestead dating from the early 1600's up through the Civil War. That's 250 years worth of bones, folks.Please be aware of your rights as a descendant and help us document these sites.Several counties have ongoing programs to find and document these sites and Findagrave is a great tool for broader dissemination of details.I would, however, caution that photographs showing valuable artifacts, like old iron fences, may create a risk of theft, so please keep this in mind.Happy hunting!http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/homepage_general/faq_cem_presv.htm#Chttp://www.dhr.virginia.gov/homepage_general/faq_cem_presv.htm#C