The Graveyard Rabbit

The Association of Graveyard Rabbits is an extremely valuable genealogically related organization. The Association describes itself as an association dedicated to the academic promotion of the historical importance of cemeteries, grave markers, and the family history to be learned from a study of burial customs, burying grounds, and tombstones; and the social promotion of the study of cemeteries, the preservation of cemeteries, and the transcription of genealogical/historical information written in cemeteries. To further quote the Association's Web site:

The Association was named for Frank Lebby Stanton's poem, The Graveyard Rabbit. Although the poem is about superstitions associated with graveyard rabbits, Stanton also establishes that such rabbits have a charmingly intimate knowledge of graveyards and a loving association with the dead. These traits are the motivation of the human beings interested in this group.

The quote is: “In the white moonlight, where the willow waves, He halfway gallops among the graves---A tiny ghost in the gloom and gleam,Content to dwell where the dead men dream,” that is the Graveyard Rabbit.

The directory of its associates includes individual organizations located mostly in the Eastern and Southern United States, but with significant membership in Canada and several European countries including Poland and the Netherlands.

The associated sites are full of useful information and occasionally photos of gravemarkers. It is a very useful site with all of its connections and affiliates and should be on everyone's reference list.