TX-CEMETERY-PRESERVATION
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"Our Loose Ends" Genealogy Column
by Lynna Kay Shuffield
Houston, Texas

You MUST include a map of the boundaries of the cemetery.

There are several places where to research for this documentation:

1) Get a copy of the deed and plat map from the County Clerk’s Office
2) Get a copy of the plat map from the County Appraisal District’s Office
3) Contact a local title company for help. [This is usually expensive.]

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) states that it prefers a professional survey plat map of the cemetery or burial location. This is not a plot of the graves in the cemetery, but a plat of the land that indicates the amount of land and the boundaries of the cemetery.

However, the THC has determined that, “If such a survey is not available, other documentation such as plot records, archival documents, historical maps, aerial photographs, oral histories, remote sensing, or archeological data may be used to establish the existence and location of the historic cemetery.

You may be able to get a general plat map of the area and hand draw in the cemetery’s location.
An additional requirement of the application process is the listing of the name, mailing address, telephone numbers and e-mails of the landowner and all adjutant landowners.

Addresses for Texas County Courthouses can be found at the following website: http://www.familytreemaker.com/00000272.html.

Addresses for Texas Appraisal District Offices can be found at the following website: http://www.greencity.com/adala-f.htm.

Several Appraisal Districts are on-line and you can do a property search. Visit the following websites to see if the county you are interested in is on-line:
 

• For current property and tax information, visit the local Appraisal District. The Harris County Appraisal District is on-line and has links to an additional 50 Appraisal Districts at: http://www.hcad.org/Index/Default.asp#Links, including Williamson Co., Bell Co., Travis Co., and others. 
  
  
  
• One of the largest on-line databases for Texas Appraisal District and property information is operated by “The Software Group” at: http://www.txcountydata.com/ and includes information for the following counties: Milam, Burleson, San Jacinto, and others.
  
  
  
• You can visit TaxNetUSA, Inc. at: http://www.taxnetusa.com/ that hosts a number of other Appraisal District websites.

= = = = = = SAMPLE LETTER = = = Adapt for your particular needs = = = = = = =

January 1, 2000
 

Milam County Appraisal District
P. O. Box 769
Cameron, Texas 76520

Dear Staff:

I am working on submitted an application for “Texas Historic Cemetery Designation” with the Texas Historical Commission for the Hurt Cemetery in Milano, Milam County, Texas.

One of the requirements is to include a plat map of the land, the name and mailing address of the land owner(s) and the names and addresses of all adjoining property owners.

At your convenience, please provide to a copy of the plat map and the landowner information as specified above.

If there are any fees for these documents and information, please let me know and I will promptly remit payment.

Very truly yours,

John Smith
1234 Somewhere Street
Anywhere, Texas 77777
512/555-5555