Across the ocean

Some people spend their lives entirely rooted at home, and near home. Others, for whatever reason, cross the ocean sea to live in a new land. What is cut in stone is sometimes the choice of those memoralised, and sometimes of those left behind. Many immigrants came to America. Even when one becomes an American, he often has an attachment to the old country, and wants others to know. Sometimes it is seems just natural to add the place of birth when it is not local.

At Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, the closest ethnic neighborhood was Italian. Many Italians are buried at Lake View. Most Italians are Catholic. The Church heavily influenced Catholics to only be buried in Catholic cemeteries. Wandering stones it is a juxtaposition of sociology. There are many stones signaling masonic membership. Catholics are not supposed to be Masons, and Masons have had an historical animus to Catholicism. In this graveyard they are both to be easily found.
Some come to America, and that moment of arrival is commemorated. It is odd, that the place of origin is not mentioned. Is this a patriotic statement? or a political statement?

Dalet: religious or masonic?

Dalet, ד , is the fourth letter in several Semitic languages. In Hebrew 'dalet' means door. Some say that the shape is reminiscent of a tent flap opening for a door. In Greek the letter is called 'delta', Δ. So, the dalet inside the delta reinforces itself. D also represents David, the king. A double dalet in the shape of a six point star, also stands for DaviD, and by extension Judaism. For Christians the triangle represents the Trinity. The six pointed star, is the Star of Creation (the world was created in six days).

Masonic lore employs symbol and allegory, often open ended to interpretation. Much of masonic ritual relates to death and resurrection. They often borrow symbols from religion or the occult, often employed in a different matter, than the source. Now, weave your interpretation.
A smaller stone by the bigger one, has a triangle with a symbol for a 32° mason. It seems Maloney may not have been Jewish after all.

Frau Pastor Land

Frau Pastor

In a spot of Lake View (Cleveland) there were several graves of German religious ministerial families. The wives had the title 'Frau Pastor'. Part of the marriage was a share in the office. Well, that sounds more probable than she holding the title outright in the XIXth century.

note: Geb.=Geboren=Born dº =datum=date Ges.=Gestorben=Died

(and the citation for a biblical passage)
als die Unbekannten, und doch bekannt; als die Sterbenden, und siehe, wir leben; als die Gezüchtigten, und doch nicht ertötet; —2 Korinther 6:9 (Luther Bibel 1545)

As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;—2 Corinthians vi. 9 (DRC)

Durch Nacht zum Licht
'Through darkness (night) to light'

This is a comforting motto, suggesting after a period of trouble, there will be success. Here it is: through the darkness of death's completion there will be the light of paradise. This motto is not just religious, but had been used nationally, patriotically, and militarily. Similar to Seneca's 'per aspera ad astra' to encourage one, even through present difficulty, there will be eventual success.

Hier ruht sich's gut

Here [she] herself is resting well

Der HERR aber wird mich erlösen von allem Übel und mir aushelfen zu seinem himmlischen Reich; welchem sei Ehre von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit! Amen.—2 Timotheus 4. 18

The Lord hath delivered me from every evil work: and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.—2 Timothy iv.18

Script stones

Well, if i wish to continue this photo-journal, i need to present some essays. Perhaps, the quickest way is to drive to the boneyard, get out of the wagon, look and take the pictures. Lake View is an easy ground.
One section had several stones with signatures on stones. My nephew insists that after a generation these stones will be illegible, since schools are abandoning the teaching of cursive script.

Graveyard Christmas

Geese with a monument of the Evangelists. Old Brooklyn (Cleveland), Ohio.

Bases alone

The ravages of time, neglect, and malice cause ruins. People bury their loved ones with a thought of dignity, and remembrance. That dignity, and remembrance is meant to last for more than a moment; often it is meant to outlast all the survivors of those whom are buried. That is why the date of death is recorded with the name.

These stones have only the bases remaining. So, we see the construction. The left one is for a stone that is slotted into a base. That stone is tabbed on its bottom. The right one has two posts, or spikes that connect marker stone with the base.

Handshakers

Again, certain visual symbols are seen upon stones. In certain time periods, some have a greater frequency. The period (1865-1914), i address, is that of the post War for Union, and ante the War to end all Wars. One is that of two hands shaking. Hand shaking is a visible sign of greeting by friends, or those wish to be seen as such.

Now, some hand shaking shows up with fraternal organisations. This is one on a married couple. The clothing cuffs are different to suggest one is feminine, and one masculine. Now, in some churches a sign of peace is exchanged; often it is a hand shake with strangers. Somehow a handshake does not seem the sign of affection for a married couple. Well, perhaps we are fortunate that here it is an euphemistic symbol, and not anatomical accuracy that is portrayed.