So was the case when I met Cindy Coleman. Cindy had been in contact with my friend Casey Winningham as she prepared her trip from Florida to Owen County to find her ancestors. Cindy found that some of her family headstones were in need of some maintainance so Casey had her contact me. I met up with Cindy and Riverside Cemetery and my first impression was what I was hopping for. I could tell right away that she shared my passion for preserving our ancestors final resting place and the excitement of finding her family was very contagious. We looked at some family headstones there then proceeded to River Hill Cemetery where I reset and cleaned a member of her Coffey familys headstone. She was so happy, and the next day her sister Rene flew in from Washington state and joined the journey with her.
Their travels took them to Columbus, Ellettsville, & Freedom and it is here that Cindy contacted me again. They was looking for their McIndoo Cemetery in hopes of locating some of their McIndoo family and was unable to find it. I had never been to McIndoo Cemetery but the next day, Tracy and myself headed out to find McIndoo Cemetery and even though it was a long hard hike, we found it. I told Cindy that I found it and Rene and herself met with me the next morning so I could guide them to it. There was 3 McIndoo farms back in the day and they all layed on the east side of the railroad tracks south of Freedom on a farm now owned by Abrells & Hickams. The ladies and myself headed out on the close to 2 mile hike down the tracks and through some of Owen County's beautiful woods. Upon our arrival, the ladies were so excited as I cleaned the face of each stone and they was able to read them.
Although their mother has passed on, they are looking forward to sharing everything they have seen with their father and future generations in their family. They was able to document and photograph so much legacy that there is already talk of a return trip later this fall. Thanks for the adventure Cindy & Rene!