Behind the Old Brick Wall: A Cemetery Story

By popular demand, the history of the Old City Cemetery, Behind the Old Brick Wall: A Cemetery Story, was been reprinted in 1998 by the Lynchburg Committee of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was reprinted on the 30th anniversary of its original publication in 1968.

The book has become a classic reference work and has received broad acclaim from genealogists and historians alike. It documents early Lynchburg citizens interred in the Cemetery from its founding in 1806 until the City of Lynchburg began keeping records of burials more than a century later, in 1914. The book was the result of painstaking research, writing and compiling by Miss Evelyn L. Moore and Mrs. Charles G. Baber, ably assisted by many dedicated "Dames". The research and writing were the work of Miss Moore and included many delightful biographies of earlier citizens both known and unknown. The arduous job of copying tombstones, compiling rosters and related data, and editing was under the direction of Mrs. Baber.

The reprinting in hardback has duplicated the book almost exactly, except for an important statement on the "Copyright Page":

Since the original publication thirty years ago, new research has disclosed much information that may impact genealogical study. When searching for a particular person buried in this Cemetery, as a supplement to the information in this book, please consult the improved Cemetery records at the Lucy Baber Research Library in the Cemetery Center.

According to Jane Baber White, Director of the Old City Cemetery, "The books is so valuable as a resource and as enjoyable reading. Its publication 30 years ago focused attention on the badly deteriorated Cemetery and was responsible for its eventually receiving Virginia Historic Landmark designation. New information, however, has been discovered that make some of the early documentation inaccurate. This is always the case. In the case of this book, it does not detract at all for its readability and importance. We'd just like readers to know there is much more to the story than was told 30 years ago and, if possible, we'd like to clarify any questions that may arise."