Silicon Valley Cemeteries and Genealogy
Golden Gate National Cemetery: A Wife's Grave at Christmastime
This photo was taken at the Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California, in December 2009. Lillian R. - His Wife - January 17, 1898-May 27, 1984. Grave number 2C 5109.
Cameo baby portrait Santa Clara Mission Cemetery Lydia Gonzales 1954
This photo was taken at the Santa Clara Mission Cemetery (located in Santa Clara, California) in an area dedicated to deceased infants. The gravestones in this section were all in good condition with the exception of this one that was located right next to the inner cemetery road. The infant on the cameo was named Lydia Gonzales. Lydia was born on May 8, 1953, and died on December 7, 1954.
Domed roof of the memorial building at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo
This photo shows the domed roof of the memorial building at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo, California.
Alfred John Beer and Charlotte A. Beer Gravestone
Located in the Union Cemetery in Redwood City, California, this is the grave of Alfred John Beer. He died on April 20, 1909, aged 63 years. Native of England. He is buried with Charlotte A. Beer who was born in 1845 and died in 1941.
Pilarcitos Cemetery in Half Moon Bay, California
Located at Main St and Route 92 in Half Moon Bay, California, the Pilarcitos Cemetery was established by the Catholic Church. The cemetery, in use from 1820 to 1923, was established by priests from Mission Dolores.
Gate of Heaven Cemetery pond and waterfall in Los Altos, California
Gate of Heaven Cemetery located at 22555 Cristo Rey Drive Los Altos, California. This photo was taken in August 2009.
Cat resting on the Cooley family crypt at the Redwood City Union Cemetery
While touring the Union Cemetery in Redwood City, California, this adorable and apparently stray cat appeared to be the watchmaster for the small, fenced in area that held the Cooley family plot. The plot contained three worn graves and a fairly large crypt. The historical association's tour group spent close to an hour touring the historical graves in the cemetery and upon our departure, the cat was still resting upon the crypt.
Filomena and Lena Cerelli grave at the Italian Cemetery in Colma
Filomena and Lena Cerelli gravestone at the Italian Cemetery in Colma, California.
Alta Mesa Memorial Park located in Palo Alto, California
Alto Mesa Memorial Park is located in Palo Alto, California. This photo was taken in September 2009 by Silicon Valley Historical Association staff. The cemetery has many notable burials: Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple), Tennessee Ernie Ford (Musician), Ron "Pigpen" McKernan (keyboardist, harmonica player and lead vocalist, founding member of the Grateful Dead), David Packard (co-founder of Hewlett-Packard and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense), William Shockley (developed transistor and won Nobel Prize for Physics), Frederick Emmons Terman (considered the father of Silicon Valley), Shirley Temple (American film and television actress, singer, dancer, and public servant), Larry Wu-Tai Chin (a famous Chinese spy), and many more.
The San Francisco Columbarium & Funeral Home is a columbarium owned and operated by Dignity Memorial, at One Loraine Court, near Stanyan and Anza Streets, just north of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California.
Alta Mesa Memorial Park statue of a woman carrying a cross
This 1906 statue was moved from the Stanford University campus to the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto after the earthquake the great earthquake.
Broderick Monument in the Lone Mt. Cemetery in San Francisco, California c. 1860
Lone Mt. Cemetery was opened in 1854 in San Francisco, California, and the cemetery was moved in the early 20th Century (the graves were relocated to Colma, California, just south of San Francisco). The Broderick monument was erected in 1859 to commemorate U.S. Senator David Colbreth Broderick.
1917 Infant grave of Hisako Fukata at the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto
The inscription on the headstone reads: Hisako — daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kyuaman Fukata died December 20, 1917.
Cemetery altar at the Holy Hope Cemetery in Menlo Park, California
Private cemetery altars honor the deceased. Flowers and stones on an altar or near a grave represent visits to the deceased. This altar is located at the Holy Hope Cemetery in Menlo Park, California.
Seashell wind chimes at the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park, California
This photo was taken in the Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Menlo Park, California. The sea shell wind chimes were hanging in a tree near an area of family graves. About the history of wind chimes in cemeteries: Wind chimes are often placed in trees near cemetery graves to attract peaceful spirits while protecting against evil forces. This idea originated in the second century CE, when wind bells were often suspended around Asian temples. The shell symbolizes a journey to the heavenly realm.
Alta Mesa Memorial Park statue of a woman carrying a cross
This 1906 statue was moved from the Stanford University campus to the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto after the earthquake the great earthquake.
Caterina Viscuso ceramic bridal photo on a grave at the Italian Cemetery in Colma
Caterina Viscuso - born in 1898 and died on March 8, 1921, in San Francisco County, California. Ceramic bridal photo on a grave at the Italian Cemetery in Colma, California.
Ana Maria Nuño headstone at the Italian Cemetery in Colma, California
The portrait on a grave (usually in the form of a cameo), gives an eternal face to those who have passed.
Mausoleum at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo, California
This photo was taken in November 2009 and features the Bowie Mausoleum at St. John's Cemetery in San Mateo, California. Henry Pike Bowie and his first wife, Agnes Howard, are interred in bronze caskets within this mausoleum. Agnes died in 1893, and Henry died in 1921 (at the age of 72). Henry Pike Bowie was an American lawyer, artist, author, Japanologist and diplomat. He was the co-founder of the Japan Society of Northern California, along with Stanford University's president, David Starr Jordan.
Jill Elaine Carpenter grave at the Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, California
Child's grave at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, California for Jill Elaine Carpenter - born June 27, 1965 and died September 10, 1972.
Cat on the Cooley crypt at the Union Cemetery in Redwood City, California
While touring the Union Cemetery in Redwood City, California, this adorable and apparently stray cat appeared to be the watchmaster for the small, fenced in area that held the Cooley family plot. The plot contained three worn graves and a fairly large crypt. The historical association's tour group spent close to an hour touring the historical graves in the cemetery and upon our departure, the cat was still resting upon the crypt.
Wooden grave marker for Chris Dutsch (1939-1999) at St. Anthony's Cemetery
Wooden grave marker for Chris Dutsch (1939-1999) at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Pescadero, California. Chris Dutsch was a graduate of San Jose State University and an avid painter and sculptor for over 40 years.
Aisle of Niches at the San Francisco Columbarium
Located at 1 Loraine Court in San Francisco, California, the Columbarium houses niches of urns on its top floor.
St. Anthony's Cemetery at Pescadero - Amanda Maria Coffin headstone
Amanda Maria Coffin - wife of John W. Coffin gravestone at St. Anthony's Cemetery in Pescadero, California