A small group of Pee Dee Land Trust supporters embarked on a morning of learning about our heritage through some of the most historic Marion County cemeteries. A place is defined as a location with purpose and that is exactly what we will be exploring as we connect the origin of the cemetery’s inhabitants and how they were connected to the surrounding land.

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We met at Uncle Charley’s Hut, adjacent to the main campus of First United Methodist Church of Marion, at 9:30am for Jeff Murrie, a genealogy enthusiast and skillful cemetery researcher, who led us through a presentation about cemeteries rightfully centered upon the ‘Places’ theme. After enjoying refreshments, we walked next door to the Old Town Cemetery and tour what is known to locals as the City Cemetery. Jeff demonstrated how to properly clean a headstone.

We then made our way to tour the Smith and Olivet cemeteries. Jeff shared the connections he has made through his research over the years about who, what, when, why folks were buried in each cemetery. It was amazing to see the winding path that brought some many together in their final resting place.Complimentary research assistance and resources was offered to help those in attendance trace their family through cemeteries.

Complimentary research assistance and resources was offered to help those in attendance trace their family through cemeteries.

A special thank you to our sponsor, Gwen Strickland.