You have the catchwords targeted:  "...on a reasonable basis...." So, you come to my land, ask permission, I say, "Nope, your basis for entering is not reasonable, and even if it might be you have not established to MY - MY - satisfaction that you are a descendent, so stay out, or sue me."

Thus it is that whatever "rights" you may have are surely diluted to the point that requires an appearance in a courtroom to prove you should be let in; hardly worth the trouble, it would seem.  AND, what's more, you may lose in that courtroom !!!!

My advice? Take the landowner a Bible, a box of candy, or a bottle of Jack Daniels.  Any or all of those might gain the permission you need.

Genealogy without documentation is nothing.
                     Paul Drake JD
                Genealogist & Author
            <www.DrakesBooks.com>


  ----- Original Message -----
  From: qvarizona
  To: [log in to unmask]
  Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 7:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [VA-ROOTS] DNA


  Re. cemeteries and burial grounds in VA.  I'm certainly not advocating trespassing, but this subject brings to mind something I read earlier re. a  law in VA that says  property owners are required to make burial grounds accessible to descendants and others on a reasonable basis.  I would doubt this stretched to anyone's digging around a gravesite, but I'm curious.  Is it true, that if I own land  which contains a private burial ground  I must allow the public to visit that burial ground?  What are the limitations and/or requirements involved?

    Joanne


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