Sterling Cemetery
Sterling Cemetery is in Deep River Township Section 18. Earliest graves were likely in the Old Hill section but multiple sources indicate that the hill contours were disturbed when M-76 was paved (going through instead of around), so there may be graves across the highway for which there are no extant records. To visit the cemetery, from the center of Sterling, follow M-76 north for a less than one-quarter mile, then turn north onto Melita Rd/N School Rd. Follow this road for less than one-half mile. The cemetery is on the left.
Earliest birth 1814, earliest death 1877.
Contact Deep River Township
GPS coordinates for Sterling Cemetery: 44.041354,-84.0324027
Sterling Cemetery burial index
Barringer book index searchable table
The Barringer, et al inscriptions index table contents were contributed in 2005 for MIGenWeb use by Betty Brokoff Barringer and “the Cemetery Club” members Carlie Welker Klumpp, Barbara Briggs Foster and JoEllyn Lawson Pedota, from the book Arenac County Michigan Cemetery Inscriptions.3
The burial information provided may be name, section and row location, dates, and inscription. When using the Sterling Cemetery map, read rows from north to south beginning at the northwest corner. Inscriptions transcribed by Betty Brokoff Barringer, Barbara Briggs Foster, Carlie Welker Klumpp, JoEllyn Lawson Pedota and Willow Slusser.
We’ve modified the Barringer book index format to create a searchable table. The compiler retains all rights. When you see “same stone,” this means two or more inscriptions share that stone. If you see “same stone” for your individual, look at the alphanumeric code in the left column, sort the page by the Index order column, and then look for that individual’s number to find who else is associated with that stone. You may find important information (like marriage dates and relationships) about that person when you see what is inscribed about others who share that stone. You can more clearly see the shared stone and burial juxtapositions on our PDF of the Barringer book burial index that appeared on the old MIGenWeb site.
Sterling Cemetery contributor submissions
PDF of SC contributor submissions (updated 7/28/2023)
Do you have an ancestor’s cemetery information you’d be willing to share? These contributor comments often provide detail directly from the family that may lead the researcher to more resources. The submissions usually don’t cite cemetery section & row location, nor do they commonly cite a verifiable source. Still, it provides one more possible clue to a genealogical solution. Let the MiGenWeb/Arenac coordinator know if you have something to contribute.
Online resources
- Arenac County, MI Sterling Cemetery @ GenealogyTrails.com
- Sterling Cemetery @ FindAGrave.com
- Sterling Cemetery tombstone photos & transcriptions @ MIGenWeb.org
Media Credit
1. Aerial view Sterling Cemetery GPS approximately 44.041354,-84.0324027. Date unknown. Photo source USGS
2. From Arenac County Michigan Cemetery Inscriptions, Betty Barringer, compiler (Standish, 1992). Used with authors permission (2005) for use on MIGenWeb/Arenac.
3. Ibid, pp 413-476.
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