Welcome to the Kansas - Reference Books

Diggin' Up Bones - Betty Barnes. This book contains information on approximately 1900 burials from Lakin and Hartland Cemeteries in Kearny County, Kansas. Arranged alphabetically, the burials recorded here are from 1875 to December 31, 1994. In addition to providing the lot, block and section numbers used to locate the gravesite within the cemetery, each entry typically contains information from the original obituary for the deceased that appeared in a local newspaper or from other sources. This information gives the researcher much more than just the date of birth and date of death for the deceased, including when available: names of spouse(s), children, parents and other relatives; how and/or where the deceased died; a short biography of the deceased; and historical information pertaining to Kansas. 1995, 837 pp., 2 vols., map, bibl., paper, $59.00 #ZB066

Diggin' Up Bones: Obituaries of Deerfield, Fairview, and Miscellaneous Kearny County Cemeteries, Kearny County, Kansas - Betty Barnes. Deerfield, Kansas, is located on the east side of Kearny County, and Fairview in the northwest corner. The vast majority of the book (about 300 pages) deals with the large Deerfield Cemetery, of which a map is provided. The second part deals with the smaller Fairview Cemetery and the final section is a miscellaneous listing of obituaries dating back to 1877, before Kearny County was organized.

Between 1877 and 1889 this area and its surrounding counties changed borders several times, thus confusing the early burials. In addition to providing the lot, block and section numbers used to locate the gravesite, each entry typically contains information from the original obituary for the deceased that appeared in a local newspaper or another source. All the records include date of birth; date of death; names of spouse(s), children, parents and relatives; and where they were born, lived and died. When available, a short biography of the person and/or historical facts about Kansas enrich our understanding of the lives of these departed souls and provide an engaging glimpse into the past.

Relatives and researchers alike will find this book to be a thorough and interesting compilation. 1997, 331 pp., map, bibl., paper, $26.50 #ZB067