JPL GenExpo

Emily Ford, a cemetery preservationist, monumental mason, and writer of New Orleans cemetery history, will give a presentation titled Caring for the Family Tomb or Gravesite, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. 

This event is free of charge and open to the public. There is no registration. 

Ford has worked in New Orleans cemeteries since 2011 and wrote her graduate thesis on historic craft in Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. She is a graduate of the Clemson University-College of Charleston Master of Science in Historic Preservation program.

Ford’s work focuses on empowering cemetery stakeholders in the care and preservation of their property. As owner of Oak and Laurel Cemetery Preservation, LLC, she has completed dozens of tomb, tablet and monument restorations as well as an ongoing, scholarly-cited blog presenting historic cemetery research.

The fair will feature display tables staffed by various genealogical organizations, including the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, the Jefferson Genealogy Society, Williams Research Center of the Historic New Orleans Collection, City Archives and Special Collections of the New Orleans Public Library, St. Tammany Public Library, St. Tammany Parish Genealogical Society, Algiers Historical Society, CreoleGen, German Acadian Coast Historical and Genealogical Society, The Descendants Project, Le Comite des Archives de la Louisiane, Midlo Center for New Orleans Studies, Plaquemines Historical Association, River Road African American Museum, .

Numerous individuals who perform work in this area will be present. Also, many lineage groups will be present, including various chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.