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The Possible McKay Family Cemetery

With Thanks to the Maurice Laevens Family

In fall of 2013, we decided to investigate two monuments on the private property of the Laevens family. With their kind permission we were able to photograph those monuments, and to post them on this web site. However, we also knew of other markers by the same name in MacVicar Cemetery near by. So, the question was, "How could there be two monuments to the same people?" We believe that the following is the answer to this but we caution that this is based on dowsing and some theory. It cannot be proven at the moment by research. Nor can it be proven that they lie at McVicar though evidence is very strong that they do not.

First off we went to the site at the MacVicar Cemetery and dowsed that location to try to find out if there were burials there. Every indication seems to prove that there are NO burials there even though there are names on the monument. We can sense the other burials named on that monument! But not those for these family members. Secondly, while at the original McKay family farm now owned by the Laevens family, we found that there were three likely graves located side by side not far from where the monuments still at that location were known to be originally found at the edge of a well.

Noting the dates on these monuments in both locations it is relatively easy to come up with a very likely description of what has happened in this situation. At the time of death of these family members burials on a farm were VERY common. Very UNcommon were burials in community cemeteries. MacVicar was indeed began as a cemetery very early. However, we know that often traditions in these times would suggest family members might be interred on their own farms rather than larger cemeteries. Thus, it is very easy to see how there could have well been three burials on the McKay farm with the original markers found today in that location.

But why the monuments in MacVicar? It is VERY common in cemeteries like Old Maple Leaf in Chatham for instance to find monuments marking plots with no known graves. Monuments were moved in order to remember the loved ones. But it was also thought to not always be necessary to disturb the remains of long departed loved ones. It was simply better to let them "Rest in Peace" as noted by that text on so many monuments.

Thus, we believe that the three members of the McKay family are buried on the old McKay farm at 9622 Eberts Line. We believe that the old monuments originally marked their grave spot. Then, a new monument was erected at MacVicar for these folks, and someone along the way decided that the old monuments were no longer needed as the new ones provided a monument for those who still rested in the original location. No burials were moved. Only a new monument was put up there.

Here is some information on the McKay family. We now believe that the piece of the monument actually says "Youngest Son", and that the dates may well agree with the dates for "Peter". Also, note that Peter died before John. This would be a reason as to why Peter's Mom and Dad would have wanted to be interred there.

John McKay
03 Jul 1792
14 Apr 1856

Janet (McKerrall) McKay
07 May 1797
01 May 1860

Peter McKay was the youngest.
Born May 20, 1839.
Died Feb. 18, 1850.

Almost certainly NOT buried here is
a son, John
17 Feb 1832
21 Aug 1902

Once again we request that you remember that this is only a theory. We believe that it is very much based on fact, and that there is a VERY high probability that this is exactly what has happened here. BUT! It is still a theory.

Again, please remember that the original monuments are on private property today and cannot be seen without requesting permission of the owners of the location. And photographs of the monument are available here. To request permission to print the photograph elsewhere you must ask permission of the photographer and owner of this site both. Please contact John at CKCemeteries.ca to ask permission.