Lists for many Robertson County cemeteries have been created by numerous volunteers.  This is because many cemeteries have already been adopted by people who have relatives buried in them.  That said, quite a few cemeteries are still available for adoption.  These all have a scrolling marquee at the top of their burial lists indicating that they are adoptable.  Check individual cemetery lists to see if a particular cemetery is available for adoption.

Adoption responsibilities vary by cemetery & by the individual adopting it.  Activities might include:

• Finding a cemetery that is on the Find That Cemetery list;

• Providing the location of a cemetery that isn't on the master cemeteries list above so GPS coordinates & driving instructions can be determined;

• Inventorying a cemetery that does not yet have a burial list;

• Walking a cemetery to confirm the accuracy of information contained on an online burial list;

• Updating some lists with burials since 1980;

• Updating lists with additional information about family members (e.g., full & maiden names, birth/death dates, names of spouses, parents, children, military service information);

• Taking pictures of relatives' tombstones or headstones that may be interesting or aesthetically pleasing;

• Posting dates for upcoming or annual cemetery association meetings;

• Identifying a cemetery association officer & address where cemetery contributions can be mailed; &

• Serving as an e-mail contact for people needing additional information about a cemetery (rarely do requests come in, but when they do, they normally involve responding to questions like "is x buried next to y?").

If a cemetery is in particularly bad shape and in need of some tender loving care, some volunteers have undertaken clearing away debris and underbrush, propping up & repairing fallen tombstones, cleaning headstones so they can be accurately read, repairing & replacing enclosures to protect deteriorating cemeteries.  Other volunteers have simply provided expanded information about their families and people related to them (which in some cases may include almost everyone buried in a small cemetery).  As a volunteer, you decide the nature & extent of your adoption activities.

The Texas Historical Commission recommends using Orvus (a Procter & Gamble product that's available at farm and animal supply stores) and water along with a soft-bristled plastic or natural bristle brush to clean stones.

A cemetery can be adopted by anyone (high school & college students, stay at home moms & dads, people who work part-time, people who work full-time, senior citizens, civic & fraternal organizations, cemetery associations, church & school groups, small businesses, large businesses, individuals, & families).  Cemetery adoption helps preserve important information about ancestors & others that may be lost forever to the ages, provides a wonderful opportunity for family members and others to share their history, provides tangible results when the fruits of your labors are posted online, gives you and others an opportunity to breathe some fresh air, get a little exercise, and enjoy an outing on a nice day in Robertson County.