Publications

NEW! The Story of Portage Prairie by Alma V. Hartline: Mrs. Hartline is the Great Grand Daughter of Jacob Rough who was one of 4 brothers that came to and settled in the Portage Prairie area in 1849. Portage Prairie is an area approximately three miles south of Buchanan, Michigan. The area extended from approximately one mile west of The Saint Joseph River going west approximately five miles into Bertrand Township and going south a short distance into the State of Indiana. The price of the book is $30.00 not including shipping. If you are interested in purchasing this book please contact us through info@friendsofoakridge.org.

NEWSLETTER: The Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery publishes a quarterly newsletter which is distributed in early January, April, July and October. The first issue was January 2006. The primary means of distribution is as an e-mail attachment. The newsletter is distributed free of charge by this means to those who request it. A printed copy will be mailed to members and local libraries who request it.

• January 12, 2010 Edition

OAK RIDGE CEMETERY CENSUS (2005): The "cemetery census" is a compilation of the names and other information for the approximately 8,000 individuals interred in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Information came primarily from two sources: (1) grave stone inscriptions, and (2) the Sexton's Records. An earlier transcription (by David and Diane Savage) was also consulted and compared. In some cases, obituaries and other sources were consulted. The electronic copy of the census lists the sources used for each individual, and is searchable by Section and Lot. (Only the printed version is generally available at this time.)

The census data was compiled by Mary and Russell Chadderdon. They started this project several years before Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery was formed. Friends of Oak Ridge Cemetery assisted in finalizing the census and getting it reproduced in printed format.

On the printed copy, names are listed alphabetically. Dates (years of birth and death) are listed for most individuals. Location of burial (Section and Lot numbers) are also listed. In the front of the book, there is a map of the cemetery, showing all Sections and Lots (except the newest ones, east of Section A).

The census was published in June 2005, and includes all interments through December 2004. We have also compiled a list of corrections and discrepancies, which is available on request. We may publish an updated version after five years (i.e., 2010), although this goal is subject to change.

Copies of the census are available at several locations, including: (1) the Berrien County Record, (2) Buchanan City Hall, (3) Buchanan District Library, (4) the Buchanan Area Chamber of Commerce, and (in summer) the Pears Mill. (Of these four locations, only the Berrien County Record will mail copies.) The cost is a $20 donation, not including shipping. Inquiries about availability of the census (and updates) can also be sent to us at info@friendsofoakridge.org, or contact one of the members of the Board.