Aleppo to nie tylko luksusowe szare mydło z ekologicznej mydlarni

To jest miejsce, gdzie my, cywilizowani ludzie zabijamy dzieci. Tak, tak. Ja, Ty, moi sąsiedzi, Twoi sąsiedzi, Unia Europejska, Ameryka, Rosja - Wszyscy jesteśmy odpowiedzialni za tę masakrę: zabijanie dzieci i niewinnych ludzi. Jestem zdruzgotana i wstydzę się tego, że nie wiem jak pomóc, nie wiem co zrobić i jak reagować, żeby to przestało się dziać. Jedynie co mogę, to płakać. I płaczę. 

We share the same biology
Regardless of ideology
What might save us, me, and you
Is if the Russians love their children too  
                                                       Sting



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Potter's Field

        Momentami mnie fascynuje, czasami tylko interesuje mroczny aspekt ludzkiego życia. Konkretnie chodzi tu o śmierć i czynności związane ze śmiercią i tym co się z nami dzieje po śmierci. Przerobiłam już kwestię postmoralnego badania ciała zmarłego - sekcje zwłok , toalety pośmiertne, ubieranie zmarłych i inne czynności tego typu. Teraz ciekawi mnie co się dzieje z ludźmi żywymi po śmierci ich bliskich osób. Myślę, że jest to próba mojego osobistego zmierzenia się z problemem śmierci w moim życiu. Może to naturalny sposób przygotowania się na takie okoliczności – nie wiem.  Wracając jednak do tematu, nie wiedzieć dlaczego w głowie pozostał mi wątek z książki Janusza Głowackiego „z głowy”, w której to autor opisuje swoje inne opowiadanie (Antygona w Nowym Jorku) gdzie, w skrócie, kilku bezdomnych próbuje wydostać zwłoki kompana i  urządzić mu jakiś – wg nich – godny pochówek.  Ów zwłoki były przechowywane gdzieś na Manhattanie potem miały być transportowane na pobliską wyspę Potter’s Field  – w celu pochówku. Potter's Field to komunalny cmentarz w Nowym Jorku, gdzie grzebie się zmarłych, których tożsamości nie udało się ustalić lub takich, którzy - jak to ładnie napisano w poniżej zamieszczonym artykule - nie mieli "any other burial arrangements"

Korzystając z bezgranicznych możliwości Internetu próbowałam poszukac informacji na temat tego miejsca Potter’s Field, zobaczyć  w Google maps  i jakoś ciekawa byłam jak to wygląda.  Szukając tych informacji  przypadkiem trafiłam w internetowym wydaniu NewYorkTimes'a na dość interesujący artykuł. Dotyczy on osób, które szukają swoich bliskich na takich cmentarzach. Pod artykułem znalazłam posty ludzi którzy szukają swoich zmarłych bliskich. Z nich to właśnie dowiedziałam się, ze musiał być taki przepis który nakazywał np. grzebać tam dzieci, które urodziły się martwe. Ci ludzie szukają bliskich zmarłych i wiedzą, że tam zostali pochowani, lub takich którzy zaginęli i rodzina nie wiedząc o tym, ze zmarli nie zgłosili się po ich ciało i na koszt państwa zostali pochowani na Potter’s Field lub w podobnym miejscu. Artykuł wklejam w całości tak jak go znalazłam. Jak będę miała kiedyś chwilę i jeżeli to kogoś zaciekawi, to może streszczę go jakoś sensownie. Jednakże nie tyle artykuł, co posty pod nim są ciekawe. Co ciekawsze zaznaczyłam na czerwono.

Searching for Names on an Island of Graves

By SEWELL CHAN

A 1949 list of babies buried at the Potter’s Field on Hart Island. (Photo: New York City Municipal Archives via Melinda Hunt)

New York City has agreed to turn over 1,300 pages of records that could shed light on the identities of some 50,000 people who have been buried over the past several decades at Hart Island, the city’s public burial ground in Long Island Sound.

The records are a missing piece of a puzzle that has obsessed Melinda Hunt, a sculptor, writer and filmmaker who lives in the East Village, for more than 16 years.

Hart Island, a 100-acre swath of land nestled between the Bronx and Queens, has been the final resting place for an estimated three-quarters of a million people since the city acquired it in 1869. It is actually the city’s ninth potter’s field; since the 17th-century paupers, orphans, criminals and mentally ill people who did not have other burial arrangements had been interred in a variety of locations in Manhattan, including parts of what are now Washington Square Park, Madison Square Park and Bryant Park.

From 1991 to 1993, Ms. Hunt worked with the photographer Joel Sternfeld to photograph the desolate landscape of Hart Island, with permission from the city’s Department of Correction, which runs the burial ground. The book of photographs was published in 1998.

“Hart Island is a place outside the vision and minds of most New Yorkers, even those who have family buried there,” Ms. Hunt wrote in the introduction. “It represents the ultimate melting pot, a place where individual lives are blended beyond recognition.” She noted that the city’s practice was to leave bodies at rest for 25 years, after which the bodies are moved to the side to make way for new ones.

But Ms. Hunt’s fascination with the island, and its haunting vista of anonymous grave markers, continued. She created a Web site, the Hart Island Project, and, with support from the New York State Council for the Arts, produced a 66-minute documentary film, “Hart Island: An American Cemetery,” that is scheduled to be screened on March 19, 2008, at the Anthology Film Archives.

The documentary examines the cases of four people buried at Hart Island: Rita Anne Alexander, a newborn infant who died in 1941; Mike Kilmurray, an Irish immigrant and city employee who died suddenly in 1994; Ray Charnick, a former drug addict and convict who died of AIDS in 1997; and Rose Lorincz, a murder victim whose body was retrieved from the Hudson River in 1982.

After The Times published an article in November 2006 about Hart Island that mentioned Ms. Hunt’s documentary project, she received a flood of e-mail messages and phone calls from people who believed they had relatives buried on the island. (In October of this year, Ms. Hunt also submitted a video for City Room about Hart Island.)

Last year, Ms. Hunt filed a request under the state’s Freedom of Information Law, seeking burial records about the four subjects of her documentary. At first she received no response, so she filed an appeal. Ms. Hunt finally found a lawyer, David B. Rankin, who voluntarily pursued the case on her behalf and broadened the request to include all burials since 1985. Meanwhile, Ms. Hunt met with officials from the Correction Department to plead her case in person.

And so, this month, the word came down: The Correction Department had 1,300 pages from ledger books recording burials since 1985. Assuming 38 lines per page — the number of lines per page in older burial books Ms. Hunt has examined in city archives — the records cover about 49,400.

Ms. Hunt, 49, a single mother who has two daughters, is asking the public for help to come up with the $325 she needs to pay the city for photocopying costs. She is asking donors to contribute to her cause through the New York Foundation for the Arts. Eventually, Ms. Hunt hopes to scan in the records and make them available, in searchable form, online.

Ms. Hunt said her interest in the island relates in part to her own immigrant experience. Born and raised in Canada, she arrived in the United States in 1977 and became a citizen in 1990. She said she is proudest of the fact that the Correction Department has opened Hart Island for limited visits by family members (previously, only researchers were allowed to set foot there) and has now turned over records since 1985 for public viewing (some microfilm versions of older records are available at the Municipal Archives on Chambers Street).
“The Department of Correction and I have worked together to reform the system,” Ms. Hunt said. “It’s a really good relationship.”

Correction
The original article misstated the filmmaker’s surname in a later reference. She is Melinda Hunt, not Hart. The text has been corrected.
1. November 28, 2007 6:49 pm Link

Isn’t is sad that stillborn babies were relegated to public burial grounds instead of being buried in a family plot, or a “regular” cemetery. The fact that stillbirths had their own recording book is sad. A remnant of life disposed of out of sight and out of mind. That’s what the “experts” deemed best in those days….

My MIL had twins prematurely in the 40s. They died almost immediately and were whisked away. Neither she nor her husband ever knew what happened to them. The worst part about this story may be that, although they were both well educated and well off, they never even asked what became of those two children.

— kris

2. February 5, 2008 7:02 pm Link

My sister was buried on Hart’s Island in 1947. She died shortly after birth. I would like to find her grave and possibly have her moved next to my parents who are buried in Connecticut. I have her death certificate, but I don’t know how to find her grave. Can someone please help me. Thank you so much.

— Frank Caputo

3. February 6, 2008 10:48 am Link

My son died in 1977 and his burial arrangements were done by the hospital. I would like to find his grave. Can someone please help me? Thank you so much.

— Teresa Gonzalez

4. February 7, 2008 12:25 am Link

In answer to these comments:

The records from 1947 are on microfilm in the Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street in Manhattan. Unfortunately, all graves from 1947 have been long re-excavated. Graves from 1977 were destroyed in a fire on Hart Island. No one can be retrieve from that period.

These questions explain why I am requesting FOIL copies of recent records. Families and friends will be able to search city records and locate their loved ones without going through the prison system.

People who need assistance or who would like to volunteer on the Hart Island Project are welcome to contact me at hartisland@aol.com.

— Melinda Hunt

5. February 20, 2008 7:51 pm Link

Fascinating how “Outlaw” isn’t given a name.

— Evonne

6. March 19, 2008 1:59 pm Link

I recently found out that my brother was buried on Hart Island a few years ago. I am looking for any help that may allow me to locate his grave.

— Liz Parisik

7. April 8, 2008 11:14 pm Link

I have a friend that may be buried there and from what I understand, no family was contacted of her death. I don’t understand why the prison system just doesn’t post the names on line and allow family members to make arrangements to claim thier loved one’s and move them to whereever they want at thier expence?? I guess the answer would be too simple.

— Lisa

8. April 16, 2008 9:40 pm Link

I was just informed that my uncle was buried on Hart Island in 1981.
I cannot make the trip to Chambers St to view the index.
Is there an index that I can view on line or request?

— Ann Staudt

9. September 15, 2008 2:26 pm Link

I have a brother who died in 1945 a few hours after birth and a sister who died in 1952 after a few days of birth. Is there anyway I can find their grave sites?

Thank you.

— Dolores M. Havanki

10. November 5, 2008 8:48 am Link

Trying to find burial records etc for my grandfather Patrick Little, died New York circa 1943. Believed interred at Potters Field

— Margaret Recks

11. December 18, 2008 2:16 pm Link

My brother was found wrapped in a blanket dead in the bronx in June 1994. We were not notified for months later and was told he was buried in potter field in the bronx. I want documents proving this. How do I get it?

— Irene

12. December 26, 2008 1:43 pm Link

My sister was stillborn in 1942 ,delivered at a hospital in brooklyn. her remains were buried at city cemetery.My mother and father never knew where she was buried,They are both now deceased.I was given information including photo copies from .the burial register of the city cemetery including plot,section #and date of burial at no charge from the nyc dept of records and information services,31 chambers st,suite 305 nyc,ny 10007..Included was a letter from the assistant commissioner..I am very thankful for this departments help and compassionate response.And I hope this information will help others. Jeanne frey

— jeanne frey

13. March 19, 2009 11:17 am Link

IM trying to find out if my brother in law is there he was found dead on the st of the bronx back in april or may i was told this a few days ago his name is Jose Luis carrasco better know as louie. he is between 59 and 61 years old.I thank you for any help you can give me thank you. Marjorie

— Marjorie Walters

14. March 25, 2009 9:00 pm Link

It would be a nice thing if I could find my maternal Grandmothers burial site.Her name was Catherine Thornhill Lee. She passed away around 1907 or 1908. Her husbands name was Christopher Lee. She was the mother of eight children, one set of twins included, of which one died,
year unknown. Any hope for this quest? I was told by my Mom that she was buried in a potters field due to the fact that they were poor at the time and could not afford a grave.
Elizabeth Lucas

— Elizabeth Lucas

15. April 20, 2009 5:37 pm Link

I think it is a crime that the City is not making earlier records available to the public too.

— Ann S. Forster

16. May 23, 2009 10:29 pm Link

looking for cousin who has been missing since 1978 would you have any information about this.

— dee oconnell

17. May 23, 2009 11:19 pm Link

i had a stillborn son may 15,1967. i have a
certificate of fetal death. i was seventeen years
old when i had him. how can i find out if he’s
buried at potters field.

divina e. santiago

— divina e. santiago

18. May 25, 2009 12:10 am Link

in 1972, i believe it was march, i lost a baby at jamaica hospital in queens…….at the time my last name was tyan. i was very young and dumb and do not know what happened to that baby, they also never told me if it was a girl or a boy….any hope is finding that information? any information would be greatly appreciated….to this day i am still haunted by this. thank u for reading this. sincerely virginia murphy

— virginia murphy

19. December 3, 2009 6:11 pm Link

I had a sister who was born on or about 1940. She was born with spina bifida and, I assume, died almost immediately. My mother (who died 5 years ago) never saw the baby. I assume that she would have been buried on Hart Island.

Is there a possible way to locate any records? The last name was Burdick. My father’s name was Walter S. and my mother’s name was Evelyn.

— Terry DeMarco

20. March 16, 2010 5:28 pm Link

My brother, John’s been buried on the Island since 1972. I started on a journey in 2009 to have him exhumed for a proper military burial he should have received. First, I’m told he’s found – what a miracle, I thought! Now, I’m being told, basically, “oops, we made a mistake”. The journey’s not over though and with or without remains, John will get his proper military burial. My next mission, to really shed some light – although I’m not the first nor will I be the last – on Hart Island and the fact that, whether agreed or not, it is a disrespectful place for all the souls roaming around its earth, and even more disrespectful to families and friends who are limited in visitation. So much can and should be done to help the Island reinvented to the proper and respectful place it should, and must, be.

— Julie Suzanne Lantz

21. April 27, 2010 8:40 am Link

I wrote on here back in March 2008 – I had recently learned at the time that my brother Eugene had been buried on Hart island. I am writing again to provide hope to all the family’s that have not yet located their missing loved ones. Since my last post I have located Eugene, he has been disinterred and cremated and is back with his family where he as always belonged. Please have faith and don’t give up it is not any easy journey, but it is worth it. My prayers go out to everyone who is searchingfor their loved ones on Hart Island. I was fortunate to have had the oppurtunity to go to Hart Island and visit him before he came home.

Liz Parisik

— liz

22. May 7, 2010 9:44 pm Link

I am looking for my aunt, Theresa Cavalier, who may be buried here. She was a patient in Kings Park Psychiatric ‘Center to my knowledge. please help me.

— frances engel

23. May 9, 2010 4:03 am Link

My brother was found dead, wrapped in a blanket-naked in the Bronx in June 1994. I want to find out what happen to him? How do I go about this? Some one knows! He was stripped down to his birthday suit .

His sister

— Irene

24. May 9, 2010 4:08 am Link

I would like to add from my last post- that my brother was supposely buried at Potter Field under John Doe for several months. They buried hoim before contacting his family because of a mix up in the idenification process. How do I know that he really is buried there?? How do I get proof??

— Irene

25. May 18, 2010 3:41 pm Link

I am trying to locate my brother ,who died in 1972,for my parents.His name is Ralph Edward CAstellano.He died April 22 1972.He was buried on Hart’s Island.After many yrs. of sorrow my parents would like to put him to rest in a place where they could visit the grave.How do I find him?

Thank you
Cindi Olthoff

— cindi olthoff

 Z artykułu i z komentarzy zamieszczonych niżej  wynika, że jednak nie jest trudno trafić na taki cmentarz bezimiennych. Czasami rodzina wcale nie jest powiadomiona o tym, że ich bliski zmarł. Zastanawia mnie to, że tu w Polsce problem z jakim borykają się ci ludzie, piszący te komentarze nie istnieje. Zdaje sobie oczywiście sprawę z infantylności mojej zadumy nad tym problemem – bo wiadomo przecież, że nie ma u nas tak dużych miast jak Nowy Jork i nie ma u nas tak wielu imigrantów jak tam. Ludzi, którzy są zupełnie sami, którzy nie mają nikogo, są samotni z powodu  takiego czy innego zdarzenia losowego . A może samotni nie są, ale on i jego bliscy nie odnajdują się w rzeczywistości jakiej się znaleźli.

Wracam jednak do wątku. U nas problem szukania zmarłych nie istnieje. Mi się wydaję, że pilnujemy swoich zmarłych. Ci wierzący modlą się za nich, zapalają znicze na ich grobach – mogą odwiedzać ich groby. Chyba nie powiedziałam wyżej, że te cmentarze dla bezimiennych lub samotnych ludzi są niedostępne. Nikt, prócz badaczy nie ma tam wstępu.

Ciekawa jestem czy ktoś kiedyś poruszał podobny watek w swojej głowie i jaki był efekt jego przemyśleń i poszukiwań...