News

With the help of our steadfast genealogists, this past summer six applications were submitted to Milwaukee County’s VA Service Officer for recognition headstones. The county provides these headstones as a benefit to our veterans who served honorably.

If all goes as our community hopes, five Civil War soldiers and one Spanish-American War soldier, will receive their long-awaited—and well-deserved—recognition headstones set in place at Cemetery 3. Most of these soldiers were buried over 100 years ago, and it is far time for their efforts to be properly recognized.

As the veteran headstone of Hermann Borghardt, a Civil War soldier, is already situated in Cemetery 3, the most respectful and honorable choice is to have the headstones of these brave soldiers installed nearby. This arrangement allows for a dignified gathering of soldier brothers from different eras, fostering a sense of unity and recognition.

Thank you for your service, gentlemen!

And thank you to our hard-working genealogists!

The “Request for Proposals” (RfP), as expected, was sent out by the Director of the Wisconsin Historical Society on 5/1/2023 to those who were approved by the Burial Board for this cemetery’s registry. This RfP will determine the final disposition of 831 sets of human remains which were exhumed in 2013 from this cemetery. From 2013 to date, these remains are stored on shelves at UW-Milwaukee and used for scientific research during the temporary disposition.

It is our goal, as the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc, to offer a proposal plan which, in the end, leads to dignified reburial of the remains. This proposal was submitted by August 1 and a decision may occur in the fall of 2023.

You are welcome to join our Descendant Community which includes direct descendants, extended family members, and concerned citizens. We meet virtually. Please inquire by contacting us.

Our community needs helpful volunteers for genealogical research to find direct descendants and extended kin. We are also recruiting genealogists to find veterans who were buried at any of the four cemeteries at Milwaukee County Grounds, so they may be recognized by placing a Veterans’ headstone at or near the site of their burial.

Letters of support for the Descendant Community and our goals may be sent to the Wisconsin Burial Sites Preservation Board. Emails to: burialsites@wisconsinhisory.org OR by USPS mail to Wisconsin Historical Society, WI Burial Sites Preservation Board, 816 State Street, Madison, WI. 53706

Thank you for your support and care of those who are silent.

Sincerely,

Judy Klimt Houston, President

Six Applications for Headstones Submitted to Veterans Administration

Wisconsin Historical Society Issues Request for Proposals