Finding Truelove, part 2

To the Cemetery

Years after I first examined the photo of Truelove, my grandma determined she needed to go visit her parents’ graves. To this day, I don't know why she was so insistent upon going, but I knew I was going with her. Unfortunately, it had been years since she had traveled back there, and she wasn’t exactly sure where the church was anymore. The church cemetery wasn’t that far away, but it turned out to be a confusing, funny, and frustrating trip. For awhile we were lost, and my grandmother was upset, but thank God we finally found the church. Ironically, I would repeat this journey, in this fashion, 20 or so years later. 

Sign in front of Lily of
the Valley Baptist Church.

This trip turned out to be very important because I discovered several details that would help me with my genealogy journey. Looking back, I also learned some things about her.

• My grandmother was born a Waldron in Botetourt County, Virginia. She was born and raised there. As we looked around for my great-grandparents, I saw there were several Waldron family members buried in the Lily of the Valley Baptist Church cemetery. There were also other family names I didn't realize were family. I didn't really take the time then to study the names.   
• My grandmother's parents were named William Waldron and Danie Nutter. They were also born and raised in Botetourt County, Virginia. This is one of the first times I can remember being shocked by her. We found their graves and grandma went off! The language she used had my eyes popping and my mouth open. The cemetery was a bit overgrown. Lilies were covering many graves, and now we're pulling them up.
• 
  

William and Daine's graves,
from my second visit to the cemetery.

• This church was where much of my family prayed, worshiped, and congregated. There I was in between the graves, laughing while listening to grandma cus about weeds, and pulling them up myself. As I said before, the name Waldron was all over. Other family members were buried all around. And right in front of William and Danie, was Aaron and Truelove. I remember staring at the name on the tombstone. I had the same questions. Who was she, and where did that name come from?

Aaron Waldron's grave completely blocked again.

Truelove's grave was oddly clear of lilies.

Those details stuck with me. I didn't have to write them down, but I wish I could go back in time and document what I didn't remember. I was there, with my grandmother, and didn't ask more questions. Granted, we were pulling up plants, and she was cussing. This memory always makes me smile. The frustration on my grandmother's face at the condition of the graves, and her determination to have them put right.

If I had that opportunity now, I would record her as we went through the cemetery. (And honestly, I'm laughing because I can almost hear her telling me what she thinks about me recording her.) I'd ask what memories she had about her parents and grandparents. Aaron died in 1918, but I'm sure she heard stories about him. Her grandaunt Ianthia is buried close by with several descendants. So are a few aunts, uncles, and a brother. And Truelove, what could she recall about her?

I've been back to that cemetery twice. I took the time to photograph every grave I could find. It wasn't open, so I couldn't document the church itself. But imagine what treasures it could hold? Photographs, marriage records, funeral records, baptisms, and church history. Think about what you could find in your family's church. It seems easy to start online with your research. But I promise there is information in your home, family members' homes, family churches, cemeteries, and photo albums that you won't find online. Start with the resources around you, and document more than you think you need. You may find it useful later.