The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast By Jennie Johnson & Dianne Hartshorn cover art

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery

By: Jennie Johnson & Dianne Hartshorn
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The Ordinary, Extraordinary Cemetery is a podcast for cemetery lovers, preservationists, and even those who've never walked among the graves. Join hosts Jennie and Dianne as they explore old cemeteries and learn the stories of those buried within their walls. After all, every death had a life, and every life had a story.

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Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary World
Episodes
  • Episode 242 - Cracking the Code: The Dr. Samuel Bean Cryptogram
    Jul 24 2025

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    In this episode of the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, uncover the mystery behind Dr. Samuel Bean's cryptic monument in Wellesley, Ontario, where two of his wives, Henrietta and Susanna, rest in peace. Jennie and Dianne explore the Ordinary Extraordinary life of Samuel, a Civil War veteran and puzzle enthusiast, and the intricate cryptogram headstone that kept visitors guessing for 80 years. What secrets did Samuel hide in the stone, and what message did he want the world to know?

    Purchase tickets for the 36th annual Central City Cemetery Crawl here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-36th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-1435390223799?aff=oddtdtcreator

    Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie, or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

    Resources used to research this episode include:


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    32 mins
  • Episode 241 - Death and Dying 101 with Ryan Seidemann - Round 3
    Jul 17 2025

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    Join the dynamic trio—Jennie, Dianne, and Ryan Seidemann—for the third chapter of the “Death and Dying 101” series! This episode dives into global memorials, uncovering cultural quirks and mysteries. Are catacombs serene sanctuaries or lively public spaces? Unravel the Victorian dread of premature burial and the coffin bells that chimed in the night. Explore the collision of burial and cremation in our global village. Delve into the Ordinary Extraordinary Tibetan tradition of letting nature reclaim the body. Learn how enslavement shaped African burial customs across the Americas. All this and more on this latest episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast.

    View this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FoBaByzbkCY

    To learn more about the 19 who were returned to be honored by their descendants, check out the following links:

    1. https://www.dillard.edu/about/honoring-the-nineteen/

    2. https://vimeo.com/event/5154230

    Purchase tickets for the 36th annual Central City Cemetery Crawl here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-36th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-1435390223799?aff=oddtdtcreator

    Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie, or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Episode 240 - Preserving Stories: A Conversation with the Formidable Genealogist
    Jul 10 2025

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    "Every death had a life and every life had a story," but how is it that we uncover so many of the narratives we share on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast? Much of it comes from searching through genealogical archives and other records. On this latest episode, Jennie and Dianne chat with Jen Shaffer, a full-time professional genealogist and owner of The Formidable Genealogist. She is passionate about short-form genealogy education and has made it her mission to help make the complex world of ancestry accessible to everyone. She engages her audience with daily social media videos, where she generously shares insightful tips, techniques, and stories from the field. Tune in to discover how Jen’s expertise helps us connect the Ordinary Extraordinary dots between lives lived, stories told, and the legacies left behind.

    To learn more about the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and how to support it, visit: https://fundnara.com/

    Want to learn how to research like Jen Shaffer? Visit her website to purchase her guides, sign up for her classes, and more! https://www.theformidablegenealogist.com/

    You can also find her as The Formidable Genealogist on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and BlueSky.

    Purchase tickets for the 36th annual Central City Cemetery Crawl here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gilpin-historical-society-36th-annual-cemetery-crawl-tickets-1435390223799?aff=oddtdtcreator

    Need an Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery Podcast tee, hoodie, or mug? Find all our taphophile-fun much here: https://oecemetery.etsy.com

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    57 mins
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