Greenwood Cemetery Potters Field Project Owen Sound

Nominee for Stephen A. Otto Award for Research and Documentation

•  The Greenwood Cemetery Indigent Plot Narrative Project integrated into the Grey Roots Archival Collections is nominated for the ACO Research and Documentation Award for its groundbreaking work in uncovering Ontario’s hidden history. Between 1858 and 1989, more than 1,200 marginalized residents—including labourers, vulnerable children, and early Black settlers who arrived via the Underground Railroad—were buried in unmarked graves within Owen Sound’s “Potter’s Field.” For generations, the stories of these individuals were completely invisible, leaving a profound void in the structural and human heritage of the community.

•  To bridge this historical gap, a dedicated research team led by Dr. Naomi Norquay and Dr. Rachel Lobo embarked on a multi-year archival recovery mission. They meticulously cross-referenced bare-bones cemetery registries, historical census reports, and local newspaper death notices to build an expansive, near–200-page biographical database. Launched for open-source public exploration, this digital project transforms a silent burial ground bereft of grave markers into a living historical record, allowing descendants and community members to reconnect with their roots.

•  This project sets a brilliant new provincial standard for how academic research can democratize local heritage. By treating an unmarked municipal cemetery with the same rigorous documentation typically reserved for grand civic landmarks, the team has successfully restored dignity to Owen Sound’s early working-class community. This living archive provides an inspiring, scalable blueprint for towns across Ontario seeking to protect, document, and honour their complex cultural landscapes.