GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993

H	3 

HOUSE BILL 209
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/26/93
Senate Judiciary II Committee Substitute Adopted 7/15/94

Short Title:  Define "Abandoned Cemetery".	(Public)
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Sponsors:
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Referred to:  Appropriations.
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February 19, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DIVISION OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY TO HELP PRESERVE AND TO COMPUTERIZE HISTORICALLY, GENEALOGICALLY, AND CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION FOUND IN ABANDONED CEMETERIES THROUGH THE NORTH CAROLINA CEMETERY SURVEY PROGRAM.
Whereas, there are thousands of cemeteries throughout the State of North Carolina which contain an important record of the historical, genealogical, and cultural backgrounds of the men and women who played a vital role in the development of this State; and
Whereas, this information is recorded on tombstones and other grave markers, many of which are in danger of being destroyed through nature, neglect, vandalism, and other causes; and
Whereas, prior to 1913, North Carolina was not required to keep vital statistics information such as birth and death dates; and
Whereas, many gaps exist within the public records of the State because of natural disasters, theft, and courthouse fires; and
Whereas, the 1981 General Assembly established an Advisory Committee on Abandoned Cemeteries pursuant to G.S. 143B-128 to assist the Department of Cultural Resources in its efforts to collect information on abandoned cemeteries, pursuant to G.S. 121-8(g), to fill in those gaps evident; and
Whereas, the nature of the cemetery data collected and the format of the survey forms and maps used to gather and store this information lend themselves to computerization and eventual publication; and
Whereas, the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, Archives and Records Section, coordinates a statewide volunteer effort at the county level to locate cemeteries and currently is developing a computerized database and automated retrieval system for many of the informational, evidential, and historical documents and records in its custody; and
Whereas, there exists throughout the State strong support from the public and private sectors for a continuation and completion of the cemetery surveys conducted thus far by the Department; and
Whereas, counties and other interested parties have petitioned the General Assembly for appropriations for the restoration and preservation of cemeteries, most recently Wilson County (HB 1692, 1989) and the Pine Forest Cemetery Company, Wilmington (HB 2047, 1987); and
Whereas, North Carolina is involved in a significant amount of population and economic growth and development, especially in the building of roads, and would, therefore, benefit greatly from knowing the locations of these cemeteries for planning purposes; and
Whereas, other states, most notably New York, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, and Massachusetts, already have similar programs set up; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History, the sum of one hundred fifteen thousand three hundred ninety-two dollars ($115,392) for the 1994-95 fiscal year and the sum of one hundred six thousand three hundred ninety-two dollars ($106,392) for the 1995-96 fiscal year to be used (i) to coordinate the North Carolina Cemetery Survey as an ongoing and permanent program for collecting and recording pertinent information, such as the location, condition, and the historical, genealogical, and cultural significance of cemeteries in North Carolina in such a manner as to make said information permanently available to the public and through computerization within the Division of Archives and History, Department of Cultural Resources, and (ii) to promote among North Carolinians a better understanding of North Carolina statutes pertaining to cemeteries in order to encourage their protection and preservation.  An appropriation adequate for these purposes shall become a part of the continuation budget for the Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives and History.
Sec. 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1994.