Our Mission
The mission of the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc. is to provide programs and projects serving the individuals and families whose ancestors were buried at Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, and those seeking to understand the history at the County Grounds. Those individuals buried at the cemeteries were marginalized because of indigence, disability or unknown identity at time of death, and were not properly memorialized.
Our Leadership
Meet the individuals guiding the Descendant Community’s mission. Our officers and directors bring expertise in history, genealogy, and community advocacy, ensuring that the stories of those buried at Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries are not forgotten.
Judy Houston, President
Judy, a family genealogist with four ancestors once buried at the County Grounds, founded the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries. She advocates for ethical change in the treatment of ancestral remains.
Ken Muss, Vice-President
Ken has two ancestors that were buried in Cemetery 2 on the Milwaukee County Grounds. He has a background in IT Project Management.
Avery Rainey, Secretary
Benjamin Neumann, Treasurer
A long-time county resident with non-profit experience, Benjamin created a memorial at Cemetery 3 as part of his Eagle Scout project. His background in computer science, focused on inclusiveness and research, supports the Descendant Community’s goal of honoring all individuals with dignity.
Chris Allswede, Director
Noteworthy Media Mentions
The Descendant Community has been featured in various media outlets, showcasing the importance of our mission to honor those buried in Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries.
2023
- Jacobs, M. (2023, November 12). Veterans Day in Milwaukee; headstone dedication ceremony held. WITI. https://www.fox6now.com/news/veterans-day-milwaukee-headstone-dedication-ceremony
- Rovito, R. (2023, November 9). This Veterans Day Event Will Honor 6 Long-Forgotten Milwaukee Soldiers. Milwaukee. https://www.milwaukeemag.com/this-veterans-day-event-will-honor-6-long-forgotten-milwaukee-soldiers/
- Brown, S. (2023, November 8). Unsung Wisconsin hero finally recognized for his Civil War service. In Steph Connects. WTMJ. https://www.tmj4.com/news/celebrating-our-veterans/unsung-wisconsin-hero-finally-recognized-for-his-civil-war-service
- Quinnies, John. (2023, June 6). Returning Identity To The Forgotten Buried At Milwaukee’s Poor Farm. Wauwatosa, WI Patch. https://patch.com/wisconsin/wauwatosa/returning-identity-forgotten-buried-milwaukees-poor-farm
- Forgotten Civil War veterans buried in County’s Poor Farm Cemetery finally honored on Memorial Day 2023. (2023, May 29). Milwaukee Independent. http://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/articles/forgotten-civil-war-veterans-buried-countys-poor-farm-cemetery-finally-honored-memorial-day-2023/
- Quirmbach, Chuck. (2023, February 28). Genealogists want faster action from UWM and others on Milwaukee County Poor Farm Cemetery remains. Milwaukee Public Radio. https://www.wuwm.com/2023-02-28/milwaukee-county-poor-farm-cemetery-remains-genealogists-want-faster-action-from-uwm-and-others
- Republished by America’s Black Holocaust Museum: https://www.abhmuseum.org/genealogists-want-faster-action-from-uwm-and-others-on-milwaukee-county-poor-farm-cemetery-remains/
2022
- Beneath Our Feet: Preservation and The Milwaukee Poor Farm Cemetery. (2022, December 26). https://pod.link/1522071681/episode/3e61f836071a310271cbe9de65fcd8f
- Also available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZV6OL3cTrA