Finding Burial Sites for Samuel and Don Carlos
The Samuel H. Smith Foundation has embarked on the major project of finding the final resting place of Samuel H. Smith and Don Carlos Smith. To accomplish this, the Samuel H. Smith Foundation has utilized valuable historical documentation, grave site scan information and site drawings.
Our ancestors were very careful of protecting the final remains of the 19 family members believed to be buried in the cemetery. What remains is a puzzle of scattered information.
However, there have been some significant findings thanks to the help of the Community of Christ Church archives and the LDS Church Historical Department. Because of these findings the Samuel H. Smith Foundation has commissioned a survey of the cemetery, another ground penetrating radar scan, which will be completed this month.
Hopefully, an exciting announcement will be made during our August reunion. The goal is to have all Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith’s children graves finally marked. If we are able to locate Samuel’s and Don Carlos’ graves without disturbing their remains then all of Joseph Smith Sr. and Lucy Mack’s children will have their graves marked with the exception of their first still born son.
Special thanks goes to Lachlan McKay who has given valuable information for this project. Lachlan has also been responsible in correlating this project with the Community of Christ Church and the Joseph Smith, Sr. and Lucy Mack Smith Foundation.
In addition, the Samuel H. Smith Foundation is sponsoring the family picnic and service project on August 8, 2009. As before, the Samuel H. Smith Foundation is donating the food for the picnic and the proceeds from the picnic will be donated to an appropriate family project.
This year, the service project will bring us all a special memory. Just as Huck Finn painted fences on the banks on the Mississippi we will be painting fences also. Only this fence is pretty special because it is the fence around the family cemetery. All paint and tools that you will need will be provided. The only thing you’ll need to bring is your desire to work and do a great job!