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 Vision
The Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Ground Cemeteries, Inc. envisions honor, recognition, respect, and restoration of dignified, final rest due all human burials with primary focus on those individuals once buried at the Milwaukee County Grounds.
Our Leadership
The individuals guiding the Descendant Community’s mission bring expertise in history, genealogy, and community advocacy, ensuring that the stories of those buried at Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries are not forgotten.
We would like to acknowledge our additional volunteers whose contributions, dedication, energy, and passion, have created a significant impact in support of our mission.
Judy Klimt Houston
President & Founder
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.
Chris Allswede
Veteran Identification Project Administrator
Chris, a family genealogist for over 38 years, identifies military veterans buried in Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries and their living descendants. Her Great-Great-Grandfather, Johann Baly (Barley) was buried in Cemetery 2.
Mark Houston
Genealogical Project Administrator
Mark, an avid family historian, maintains County Grounds burial records, locating vital records, and updating Find-A-Grave memorials.
Michele Gerlach
Genealogical Database Architect & Administrative Liaison
Michele has one ancestor who was once buried in Cemetery 2 on the Milwaukee County Grounds. Her background is as a legal assistant/paralegal and has been doing genealogical research since 2014.
Benjamin Neumann
Public History & Informatics Specialist
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 and the humanities, focused on inclusiveness and research, supports the Descendant Community’s goal of honoring all individuals with dignity.
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.
2025
- Widen, Larry. (2025, December 11). Local Group Works to Memorialize Milwaukee’s Civil War Veterans. Shepherd Express. https://shepherdexpress.com/culture/milwaukee-history/local-group-works-to-memorialize-milwaukees-civil-war-veterans/
- Venger, R. (2025, November). Wanted: People with community knowledge. Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle. https://www.jewishchronicle.org/2025/11/12/wanted-people-with-jewish-community-knowledge-to-help-identify-family-names/
- Lardinois, A. (2025, October 29). Milwaukee’s Hidden Resting Places Under the Ground and Beneath the Waves. Milwaukee Magazine. https://www.milwaukeemag.com/milwaukees-hidden-resting-places-under-the-ground-and-beneath-the-waves/
- Reid, C. (2025, February 26). They hoped to finally lay their ancestors to rest in 2025 after years on research shelves. They must continue waiting. Journal Sentinel. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2025/02/26/milwaukee-descendant-community-reburial-plans-delayed-by-legal-challenges/78525722007/
2024
- Krumme, M. (2024, November 20). Burying ‘The 831’ of Milwaukee County – again. Wisconsin Public Radio. https://www.wpr.org/news/burying-the-831-of-milwaukee-county-again
- Reid, C. (2024, November 11). Dead more than a century, now on research shelves, will Milwaukee’s early poor rest in peace? Journal Sentinel, A1. https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/milwaukee/2024/11/11/milwaukees-early-poor-are-on-research-shelves-will-they-be-reburied/75789838007/
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. https://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