EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

ISHPEMING — Graveyards can talk if you know how to listen. At the Ishpeming Cemetery, century-old tales are being revealed this summer as the Marquette County Genealogical Society cleans and documents tombstones. “My grandparents and parents are buried here. That’s why I’m here,” said Mary Ernsberger of Little Lake, pointing deep into the cemetery. Ernsberger wants to learn more about family members buried in Ishpeming, and the genealogical society project, led by Rosemary Michelin, is helping her become a cemetery sleuth. Last summer, the genealogical society documented about 30 graves, including seven hard-carved wooden markers, at a private Finnish cemetery at Suomi Location. They also worked the 150-grave West Branch Cemetery. Members plan to document up to 1,500 graves in Ishpeming, primarily in the old Catholic portion of the cemetery because many of the original records were lost or destroyed. The first city cemetery, located on North Main Street, was moved around 1890, when the new cemetery was established. An additional 3,000 graves were relocated by city workers between 1905 and 1911. The genealogical society, a non-profit group formed in 1987, is trying to unlock the secrets of those buried.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Ishpeming Women of the Moose will hold an installation ceremony Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. in the Moose clubrooms. Newly elected officers to be installed are Mabel Hemila, senior regent; Charlotte Valenti, junior regent; Lois Meyer, chaplain; Aune Kallio, recorder; Margaret Gaboury, treasurer; Doris Larson, graduate regent; Alice Pepin, guide; Florence Fredette, assistant guide; Sylvia Parkkonen, Argus; Violet Davis, sentinel; and Helen Marietta, pianist. Installation officers will be Madonna Coombe, chairman; Albert Marietta, governor; Adelore Pepin, chaplain; William McDowell and John Kallio, guides. A social hour will follow the ceremony and a potluck lunch will be served.