Bryan Main, for his long-term dedication to record and archive Frederick County cemeteries.

Bryan recently concluded a multi-year project of tracking cemeteries throughout Frederick County using Jacob M. Holdcroft’s multi-volume “Names in Stone” first published in 1966 and considered the best source available to Frederick County researchers. He visited every entry and photographed each site. His blog, “The Motorcycling Genealogist” combines two of his interests as he visited every site he heard about from all sources. He gave very good descriptions of his activities and the things he encountered along the way. He became a resource for others. He is a Frederick County native, currently living in Montgomery County, but he regularly returns to the Frederick County area. He volunteers at the Frederick Historical Society on the weekends. His day job is as a cartographer for the Federal Aviation Administration. Bryan’s decade-long diligence in research led to the self-publication of his book, “Finding Names in Stone.” It chronicles the location and condition of more than 300 small and large cemeteries, half of which are family burial grounds. Not only did he list Holdcroft’s cemeteries, but he also listed Black cemeteries that were omitted from the original list, making some entries in his book the only African American birth and death records for many individuals. He has posted his findings on FindaGrave.com for others to use. For his significant contributions to documenting and fostering appreciation for burial sites in Frederick County, the CPMBS honors Bryan Main with a 2023 Periwinkle Award.

Childlene Brooks, for her individual leadership and organizational excellence at Asbury and Green Chappel Cemetery in Bozman, Talbot County.

Childlene, along with the late Hasan Wilson, formed the “Family & Friends of Asbury & Green Chappel” in 2006 after learning that the Bozman Cemetery had been desecrated. She formed the mission of the group to restore, preserve, and protect the cemetery, as well as shine a light on the contributions that the interred made to their community. Over the years, Childlene has organized fundraisers and engaged other nonprofit organizations to participate and support these cleanups. Each of these events has had a positive impact on people and long-lasting friendships have been established.

By 2018, enough of the overgrowth had been removed and grave covers had been repaired so the group could design a welcoming environment. This consisted of designing and procuring permanent markers for the interred who are unknown and forgotten; creating a prayer garden with native plantings and a bench for quiet contemplation—the prayer garden is placed where the church hall once stood; signage at the entrance telling the story of Hasan, one of the founders of the organization; a pathway for a self-guided walking tour around the cemetery; and a welcoming entrance archway from the road into the cemetery.

In addition, Childlene created a taskforce comprised of 12 African American churches in Talbot County. Members met to share their experiences with their cemeteries and the challenges they had with maintaining them and brainstorming ideas for generating resources for these projects. Some of these churches have submitted grant applications to the National Trust for Preservation to continue this important work.

For her outstanding efforts and contributions, the CPMBS awards Childlene Brooks a 2023 Periwinkle Award.

You may watch the presentation of these awards held during our conference in 2023.