On May 4, 2017, workers digging a waterline during the construction of a gas station and convenience store in Sanford, Maine, discovered partial skeletal remains inside of a collapsed casket. The remains included finger bones, jawbone, teeth and ribs. Because the pelvis was missing, the gender could not be confirmed; however, the remains are believed to be those of a female child. Along with the skeletal remains were portions of a Victorian era casket, including several nickel-plated handles and coffin keys.
A young woman who died in 1891 in Sanford, Maine has been identified as Edith Patten. Her coffin and remains had been left behind after the city relocated the rest of the graves from Woodlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Maine in 1931.
Woodlawn Cemetery had previously existed at the location where the remains were discovered. In 1900, some graves were relocated to accommodate the construction of the Emerson School. Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. By 1931, the town of Sanford decided to relocate all of the remaining graves in order to install a playground for the adjacent elementary school. A newspaper article from 1931 reported that 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved.
Investigative genetic genealogists were able to identify Edith Patten by building a family tree from her great-great niece and nephew.
Edith's identity was revealed on March 1, 2023.
A young woman who died in 1891 in Sanford, Maine has been identified as Edith Patten. Her coffin and remains had been left behind after the city relocated the rest of the graves from Woodlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Maine in 1931.
Woodlawn Cemetery had previously existed at the location where the remains were discovered. In 1900, some graves were relocated to accommodate the construction of the Emerson School. Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. By 1931, the town of Sanford decided to relocate all of the remaining graves in order to install a playground for the adjacent elementary school. A newspaper article from 1931 reported that 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved.
Investigative genetic genealogists were able to identify Edith Patten by building a family tree from her great-great niece and nephew.
Edith's identity was revealed on March 1, 2023.
On May 4, 2017, workers digging a waterline during the construction of a gas station and convenience store in Sanford, Maine, discovered partial skeletal remains inside of a collapsed casket. The remains included finger bones, jawbone, teeth and ribs. Because the pelvis was missing, the gender could not be confirmed; however, the remains are believed to be those of a female child. Along with the skeletal remains were portions of a Victorian era casket, including several nickel-plated handles and coffin keys.
A young woman who died in 1891 in Sanford, Maine has been identified as Edith Patten. Her coffin and remains had been left behind after the city relocated the rest of the graves from Woodlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Maine in 1931.
Woodlawn Cemetery had previously existed at the location where the remains were discovered. In 1900, some graves were relocated to accommodate the construction of the Emerson School. Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. By 1931, the town of Sanford decided to relocate all of the remaining graves in order to install a playground for the adjacent elementary school. A newspaper article from 1931 reported that 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved.
Investigative genetic genealogists were able to identify Edith Patten by building a family tree from her great-great niece and nephew.
Edith's identity was revealed on March 1, 2023.
A young woman who died in 1891 in Sanford, Maine has been identified as Edith Patten. Her coffin and remains had been left behind after the city relocated the rest of the graves from Woodlawn Cemetery in Sanford, Maine in 1931.
Woodlawn Cemetery had previously existed at the location where the remains were discovered. In 1900, some graves were relocated to accommodate the construction of the Emerson School. Over time, the cemetery became overgrown and neglected. By 1931, the town of Sanford decided to relocate all of the remaining graves in order to install a playground for the adjacent elementary school. A newspaper article from 1931 reported that 72 bodies were relocated to Oakdale Cemetery, a municipal cemetery approximately a mile away. City records indicate that all 77 graves known to have existed in Woodlawn Cemetery had been moved.
Investigative genetic genealogists were able to identify Edith Patten by building a family tree from her great-great niece and nephew.
Edith's identity was revealed on March 1, 2023.
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