Western Heights Cemetery Research Sources
Compiled by Van Johnson, Nov. 2023
Frances James Cemetery Files Collection, 1900-2018
Dallas Municipal Archives
1500 Marilla St, L2DN
APPOINTMENT ONLY
Mon - Thur, 9:00 to 4:30
(214) 670-3738
Abstract:
Records documenting cemeteries in North Texas and local history.
Identification:
2019-010
Extent(s):
6.25 linear feet (50 boxes plus oversized)
Language(s):
Materials are in English.
Repository:
Dallas Municipal Archives
Scope and Content
Collection documents primarily the historic preservation of North Texas cemeteries and the work of local historian Frances James. The collection focuses on cemeteries in Dallas and North Texas, many of them having a connection to Dallas government through ownership, litigation, or other issues. While it is not comprehensive, the collection largely concerns endangered, neglected, and abandoned cemeteries.
Known as the "Cemetery Lady," James (1922-2019) spent her life during retirement not only by documenting cemeteries in North Texas and helping identify protect them, and but also by conducting research for state and local historical markers. Her research expanded to include genealogy and local history, and it is estimated she wrote more than fifty historical marker applications. James was a past president of the Dallas County Pioneer Association and served as a commissioner on both the City of Dallas Landmark Commission and the Dallas County Historical Commission.
"Cemeteries are sacred places," said James. "I just want to see that they are taken care of."
Organization
The following three series comprise the collection, and each series is arranged in alphabetical order. The maps are housed separately from the main collection; ask the archivist for the specific map needed.
Cemeteries
Biography
Subjects
Schools
Maps
Cemeteries often have multiple names, be they former, formal, or casual. See the cemetery names list in Collection 2005-005 for a listing of known cemetery names.
Box 35
Folder 4 Western Heights 1
Folder 5 Western Heights 2
Folder 6 Western Heights 3
Folder 7 Western Heights 4
Folder 8 Western Heights 5
Folder 9 Western Heights 6
Folder 10 Western Heights 7
Box 41
Folder 11 Sunset High School
Box 42
Folder 10 Cemetery Laws 1
Folder 11 Cemetery Laws 2
Box 43
Folder 15 Confederate soldier burials
Box 44
Folder 9
Dallas Co. Hist. Resources Survey 1 1982
Folder 10
Dallas Co. Hist. Resources Survey 2 1982
Folder 11
Dallas Co. Hist. Resources Survey 3
Folder 15
Dallas' First Hundred Years 1856-1956 by George H Santerre
Box 45
Folder 15 Grave marker repair
Box 46
Folder 6
Historic and Architectural Survey of Oak Cliff, 1980
Folder 7
Historic resources of Dallas, Texas Phase III, 1989
Folder 9
History of the Churches of Christ by Stephen Daniel Echstein 1, 1963
Folder 10
History of the Churches of Christ by Stephen Daniel Echstein 2, 1963
Box 47
Folder 11
Marriages records from early Dallas County
Box 48
Folder 3 Oak Cliff
Folder 4 Oral history interview resources
Box 50
Folder 44 Mapped cemeteries list
Box 51
Folder 4
Dallas County cemeteries map
[Goes with contents in Box 50, Folder 44.]
Drawer 1
Folder 1
Dallas County Cemeteries, 2010
Dallas County Cemeteries, 2011
List of mapped cemeteries of Dallas County
Map of La Réunion, Texas
USGS Oak Cliff map, 1958
Drawer E15
Folder 2
Dallas County Cemeteries map, 1/15/2010
Access
Open for research.
Use
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from the Dallas Municipal Archives. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
https://dallascityhall.com/government/citysecretary/archives/Pages/Archives_2019-010.aspx
The Dallas Municipal Archives is located on the second below-ground floor of Dallas City Hall in Room L2 D North. City Hall is divided into three color-coded elevator cores; use the red elevator core, and press L2. (The security officers can tell you how to find the red ones.) When the elevator doors open on L2, look for two red doors. Take the hallway to the right of those two doors to the Archives, the only door on the right.
Inexpensive, all-day lots are located to the south of City Hall on Canton Street and to the southeast on Ervay Street.
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W. R. Conger Cemetery Studies
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young Street, 7th floor
(Closed Sun & Mon)
214-670-1435
texas@dallaslibrary.org
Date(s) (Inclusive):
Surviving Studies conducted in 1961 and 1962
Abstract:
This collection contains hand drawn maps both locating the cemeteries in Dallas and plotting of tombstones. A few photographs and research notes of several important Dallas gravesites are also included.
Accession No.:
MA 1985.22
Extent(s):
1 box (12 Folders)
Language(s):
The records are in
English
Repository:
Dallas History & Archives Division, Dallas Public Library
Background Information
William R. Conger taught Social Studies at Sunset High School in Oak Cliff, Texas for twenty-three years. Local history and genealogy were his main interest. He is best known for providing the impetus behind the restoration of the Millermore home and the formation of the Dallas County Heritage Society. Mr. Conger used the old cemeteries in Dallas County as a tool in teaching local history. His students were required to find the cemetaries, describe them, map the locations, and research as much as possible their backgrounds. The cemetery projects, in some instances, became oral history projects. The Students had to search for and talk to descendants. Mr. Conger made history into a tangible subject by introducing a first-hand look at the people and families involved.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains hand drawn maps both locating the cemeteries in Dallas and plotting of tombstones. A few photographs and research notes of several important Dallas gravesites are also included.
Box 1, folder 1
Location Maps
Including Western Heights
https://dallaslibrary2.org/dallashistory/archives/ma85-22.php
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Public Works Survey Division Cemetery Files, 1887-2005
Collection 2005-005
Dallas Municipal Archives
1500 Marilla St, L2DN
APPOINTMENT ONLY
Mon - Thur, 9:00 to 4:30
(214) 670-3738
Repository
Office of the City Secretary
Dallas Municipal Archives
1500 Marilla Street, 5D South
Dallas, Texas 75201
Creator City of Dallas Park Board
Title Public Works Survey Division Cemetery Files
Dates 1887-2005
Quantity 3.78 linear feet
Abstract Typescript reports with folded landscaping plans.
Identification 2005-005
Language Records are in English
Scope and Content
Survey documents, ownership records, notes, maps, and photographs documenting the boundaries and history of cemeteries within the city limits of the City of Dallas, as well as a number of cemeteries within Dallas County, Texas, and contiguous counties.
Surveying establishes land maps and boundaries for ownership or governmental purposes. The City of Dallas has surveyed the boundaries of cemeteries from the beginnings of city government, although a titled City Engineer, William H. Wentworth, was first appointed by the City of Dallas Board of Aldermen in 1872. The City of Dallas Survey Division was formed in the early 1930s when the entire Public Works Department was reorganized to provide surveying services to various city departments, as well as providing a resource for information relating to right-of-way and other city properties. Initially, the Survey Division dealt solely with right-of-way and boundary issues, but in 1978, the Survey Division began to assume most, if not all of the surveying operations for virtually all City departments.
The collection consists of both original materials generated by the Survey Division, other City of Dallas departments, and citizens, and copied materials from numerous sources, the bulk from the Dallas County Clerk’s Office. There are approximately fifty photographic prints from 1958 of the Pioneer Cemetery (aka the Old City Cemetery).
Because many of the cemeteries have common names as well as formal, the following table indicates known alternate names. Similarly, several containing the historic name “Colored,” were retained only when referring to previously segregated African-American portions of larger cemeteries. Also of special note is the present-day Pioneer Cemetery, which is composed of a number of smaller cemeteries.
Box 9, Folder 12
West Dallas [Christian Church or Western Heights]
https://dallascityhall.com/government/citysecretary/archives/Pages/Archives_2005-005.aspx
The Dallas Municipal Archives is located on the second below-ground floor of Dallas City Hall in Room L2 D North. City Hall is divided into three color-coded elevator cores; use the red elevator core, and press L2. (The security officers can tell you how to find the red ones.) When the elevator doors open on L2, look for two red doors. Take the hallway to the right of those two doors to the Archives, the only door on the right.
Inexpensive, all-day lots are located to the south of City Hall on Canton Street and to the southeast on Ervay Street.
-------------------------
Florrie Wade Collection
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young Street, 7th floor
(Closed Sun & Mon)
214-670-1435
texas@dallaslibrary.org
Date(s) (Inclusive):
1836-1967
Abstract:
Florrie Wade was a Dallas freelance writer and researcher.
Identification:
MA 1987.26
Extent(s):
48 boxes
Language(s):
English
Repository:
Dallas History & Archives Division, Dallas Public Library
Biographical Sketch
Florrie Wade was a Dallas freelance writer and researcher. She was an honorary life member of the Local History and Genealogical Society of Dallas (now the Dallas Genealogical Society).
Scope and Contents Note
Research notes, clippings, and other items relating to the history of Dallas and the surrounding area. The materials were arranged in four categories by Florrie Wade:
Category 1: Dallas - arranged chronologically with some subject categories.
Category 2: Pioneer Families - arranged roughly in alphabetical order.
Category 3: Cities and Towns - arranged alphabetically, contains information regarding smaller cities and towns in Dallas County.
Category 4: Texas and Miscellaneous - contains items used for research by Florrie Wade that were not specifically categorized.
Box: 9
Folder: 1 Old Cemeteries
Folder: 2 Old Cemeteries
Folder: 3 Old Cemeteries
Folder: 4 Old Cemeteries
https://txarchives.org/dalpub/finding_aids/08726.xml
----------------------------
Dallas County Historical Commission Files
Dallas Public Library
1515 Young Street, 7th floor
(Closed Sun & Mon)
214-670-1435
texas@dallaslibrary.org
These materials are photocopies of the original documentation required to receive a Texas Historical Marker.
Box: 20 Folder 3a
Western Heights Cemetery
https://txarchives.org/dalpub/finding_aids/08607.xml
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Note: I cannot find any reference to cemetery archives here but have sent an inquiry
Dallas Historical Society
Hall of State in Fair Park
3939 Grand Avenue
APPOINTMENT ONLY
Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sundays. 1:00 PM – 5:00PM
214-421-4500 ext. 110
research@dallashistory.org
https://www.dallashistory.org/collections/research/
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Note: I cannot find any reference to cemetery archives here but have sent an inquiry. There is definitely material on Oak Cliff
Preservation Dallas
2922 Swiss Avenue
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
214-821-3290
https://preservationdallas.org/resources
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PUBLISHED BOOKS
Let me know if you have any of these and would be willing to loan them to me briefly.
“Old Cemeteries of Dallas County"
Willie May (Flowers) Carlisle
(Mrs. George F. Carlisle)
1948, typed carbon copy
198 leaves
https://researchworks.oclc.org/archivegrid/collection/data/14575719
* White Cliffs of Dallas: The Story of La Reunion, the Old French Colony
George Santerre, 1955
The Story Of West Dallas From Bonnie And Clyde To Margaret Hunt Hill
http://stories.kera.org/no-place/2017/04/23/the-story-of-the-place-on-the-other-side-of-the-trinity/
* I'm also seeing references to 3 books by Frances James but have not yet learned what those titles are. If anyone can please enlighten me that would be great.
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Major Repositories
Texas State Library and Archives Commission · Briscoe Center for American History · Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research · Dallas Public Central Library · Daughters of the Republic of Texas · San Antonio Public Library · Ralph W. Steen Library · Stephen F. Austin State Univ · Galveston and Texas History Center · Fort Worth Public Library · Sam Houston Regional Library and Research Center · Harrison County Historical Museum · National Archives at Fort Worth · Allen County Public Library · Natchitoches Genealogical and Historical Association