What's Happening?
Efforts to identify individuals buried in Vick Cemetery in Wilson, North Carolina, are significantly hampered by the absence of official records. Cemetery records for Vick do not exist, and the Colored Cemetery Commission that oversaw it has not been
identified, nor have its records been found. Similarly, no deeds for plots purchased in Vick have been located. Funeral home burial records are also unavailable, as burials were handled by families, furniture companies, and defunct undertaking businesses. Even Edwards Funeral Home, which opened in 1948, has no Vick records. Furthermore, names on grave markers removed around 1995 by the City of Wilson were not recorded, or if they were, the city claims no such documents exist. While a Find-A-Grave account for 'Rountree-Vick Cemetery' exists with 366 memorials, these are derived from death certificates and other records and span across Rountree, Odd Fellows, and Vick Cemeteries, which are separate entities often confused as 'the colored cemetery.' The City of Wilson does not maintain a database of Vick Cemetery burials.
Why It's Important?
The lack of comprehensive records for Vick Cemetery presents a significant challenge for historical preservation, genealogical research, and the respectful remembrance of those interred there. For families, the inability to definitively locate or identify their ancestors' graves can be a source of distress and a barrier to understanding their heritage. From a historical perspective, the absence of records means a crucial part of Wilson's African-American history remains undocumented, potentially obscuring the lives and contributions of thousands of individuals. The confusion surrounding the 'Rountree-Vick Cemetery' on platforms like Find-A-Grave further complicates accurate historical mapping and perpetuates misinformation. This situation highlights a broader issue in many communities where historical burial grounds, particularly those for marginalized populations, have been poorly maintained or documented, leading to a loss of invaluable historical and personal information.
What's Next?
A spreadsheet is currently being developed to record the oldest African-American burials in Wilson, including documented and suspected interments in Rountree, Odd Fellows, and Vick Cemeteries. This ongoing project draws evidence from death certificates, obituaries, funeral programs, military headstone records, and oral histories. With over 1000 entries, less than ten percent currently have a documented location, indicating the vast scope of the challenge, especially given that Vick Cemetery alone is estimated to contain over 4200 graves. This initiative represents a critical step towards reconstructing the burial history of these cemeteries. Future efforts will likely involve continued community engagement, further archival research, and potentially the use of ground-penetrating radar or other archaeological methods to identify unmarked graves and map the cemetery more accurately.
Beyond the Headlines
The predicament of Vick Cemetery extends beyond mere record-keeping; it touches upon themes of historical neglect, social equity, and the preservation of cultural heritage. The fact that a 'Colored Cemetery Commission' existed but left no identifiable records, and that the city removed grave markers without documentation, speaks to systemic oversights and potential disregard for the historical significance of these sites. This situation is not unique to Wilson, North Carolina, but reflects a broader pattern in the U.S. where African-American burial grounds have often been marginalized, forgotten, or even built over. The ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive database, relying on diverse sources including oral history, underscore the importance of community-led initiatives in reclaiming and preserving these vital pieces of history, ensuring that the stories of those buried are not lost to time and neglect.
