New UA Atlas Offers Historical Information About Alabama Cemeteries

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama geography department recently published the second volume in a planned series of historical atlases of Alabama offering a wealth of historical data regarding cemeteries in each of Alabamaís 67 counties.

"Cemetery Locations by County" includes information concerning cemetery locations in each county, church affiliation, approximate size of each cemetery, first known interment, common family names and the status of use.

Among literally 14,000 cemeteries within the state, numerous sites contain burials of famous persons such as Revolutionary War veterans, politicians and entertainers.

Film and TV actor Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram is buried in Maxwell Chapel Cemetery in Winston County. Buttram was Gene Autryís sidekick in over 40 movies and Mr. Haney on the "Green Acres" television program. Alabama football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and one of Motownís original "Temptations" Eddie James Kendricks are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Jefferson County.

The atlas was produced by Craig Remington, director of the Cartographic Research Laboratory for the department of geography in UAís College of Arts and Sciences. It is the latest in a series of Alabama-oriented atlases produced by the Cartographic Research Laboratory.

"The atlas is an attempt to capture Alabama history that is rapidly becoming lost," Remington said. "There is a real concern about the destruction of cemeteries across the nation. The atlas is the only book in the United States of its kind."

The historical information on Alabama cemeteries primarily resulted from research in libraries specializing in genealogical reference material. Most of the information was found in UAís Special Collection Library, Birmingham Public Library, and State Archives in Montgomery. Cemetery information was also collected from over 300 personal correspondences on local cemeteries.

The atlas is designed for use by historians, genealogists and both public and school libraries, as well as "anyone who has an interest in history and has their roots in Alabama," Remington said.

The UA Cartographic Research Laboratory is a non-profit, self-supporting unit within the UA department of geography. The lab is used to teach mapping techniques to students, who were involved in production of the atlas. The cartographic lab produces maps of all types for a wide range of uses, drawing on the University Map Libraryís large collection of maps and data.

For a copy of "Historical Atlas of Alabama, Volume II: Cemetery Locations by County," send $60 to The Cartographic Research Laboratory, University of Alabama Department of Geography, Box 870322, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487-0322. The cost includes postage and handling. Make checks payable to The University of Alabama.

Copies of individual counties may also be purchased. The cost for the copy of one county is $5 and each additional county is $3. An order form may also be downloaded from www.as.ua.edu/geography. Examples of all available atlases can be found at this address.

Other atlases published by the Cartographic Research Laboratory include "The Atlas of Alabama Counties" ($35), which features a geographic and demographic profile of each Alabama county. "Historical Locations by County" ($50), which includes a map of each county indicating historical towns, mills, ferries, post offices, landings, forts, bridges and Indian villages, dating back to the early 1800s. These atlases can also be ordered at the address above.